Cappuccino Trail: The Global Economy in a Cup

Description from the back of the DVD:

A 150-pound bag of coffee beans might earn a farmer $50; the “street value” of that same bag—10,000 cups of coffee—is around $20,000. By following the trail of two coffee beans grown in the Peruvian Andes, this program takes a unique look at the ubiquitous stimulant which, after oil, is the most globally traded commodity. One of the beans takes the route of the open market where its price is determined by commodities traders and analysts, such as Merrill Lynch’s Judy Gaines, the industry oracle who discusses the market’s volatility. The other bean finds its way into Café Direct, a new gourmet coffee launched in Britain by a company dedicated to paying fair prices to farmers for their high-quality organic crop. (50 minutes)

Link to site

The Future of Food

Documentary about the impact of conglomeration of the food industry, especially in seeds and fertilizers. The impact of GMOs on food safety, the future prospects for food. Disturbing look at the lengths these companies will go to patent seeds and genetic technology and to enforce the patent protection.

Black Gold

A documentary about the impact of world trade practices on the coffee farmers of Ethiopia.

Risk

A movie in the genre possibly started by “Shool” (w/ Manoj Bajpai). Basic premise is that Mumbai is run by an underworld Don, Khalid (Vinod Khanna) who rules in absentia from Bangkok. Another Don wannabe, Naidu, comes back from Kenya after 15 years to take control of Mumbai. Suryakanth (Randeep Hooda) is an inspector of the Encounter Task Force, who apparently can shoot the bad guys, which he does with much gusto. According to his records, at one point in the movie, he had killed 35 people already. Everyone else, including the commissioner of police is corrupt. All except for the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the support behind Suryakanth. He ‘explains’ away all of Suryakanth’s actions. Suryakanth wants to bring to justice the elusive Khalid, who has serious connections within the government, including Chief Minister wannabe Devki. Through some maneuvering Khalid has Suryakanth kicked off the force and brought up to charges of accepting bribes from Naidu, which are obviously not true given that Suryakanth is an honest officer who lives in a poor neighborhood with his widowed mother, who at times has to borrow from neighbors. In prison, Suryakanth is offered to be bailed out by the very same Khalid. He is given his job back, with the understanding that he now works for Khalid. Not being able to survive without his identity, being a police officer, Suryakanth accepts and does some of Khalid’s bidding. He then plans to have Khalid brought back to India on murder charges against a Home Minister. Of course, Khalid’s influence works to almost free him, when Suryakanth shoots and kills him. In the process, the police also shoots Suryakanth (six times) and beats him senseless. The movie ends with the voice over asking whether or not Suryakanth may have survived and suggesting that either is a possibility for the man, but the idea that Suryakanth represents lives on…

Bollywood movie scale: B+ (extra points for having few songs, maybe 3)

Hooda does a decent job. Comes across as a stiff personality who adheres to some principles and someone with intelligence. Some actions are questionable. Given that Khalid has escaped prosecution for 11 years, all the while controlling his empire from Bangkok, and given the influence he has, why would Suryakanth put his faith in the system to finally prosecute him? Especially since he himself has seen the corrupt system fail over and over. Some of the events that occur in the movie don’t seem well thought out. Not sure what role the narrator has in the movie, seems to pop up at odd moments. The girlfriend Shradha (Tanushree Dutta, another Miss India) seems to be a wasted role. Of course she has the requisite dance scene (apparently she is a video star or a singer or something). Vinod Khanna seems to have played the bad guy either very well or very poor, depending on what he was going for. Khalid is the typical villain who also has some weird sense of respect for religion (berates his own brother who yells at someone on Eid, the day when one has to show understanding apparently), follows it to the tilt (does his prayers often), looks after his mentally disabled son, yet is ruthless when it comes to his business. One does not get the sense that this is a complex man, at least as portrayed by Khanna.

Butter Chicken

(Borrowed from someone else)

Marinade:

1 cup. Yogurt (remove excess water)
2 tbsp. crushed ginger (finely, paste)
1.5 tbsp. crushed garlic
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp garam masala
salt

Sauce:

0.5 tsp garam masala
2 tsp honey
0.5 tsp red chili powder
2-3 tomatoes
1 tsp crushed ginger
1 tsp crushed garlic
cinnamon sticks
2-4 cloves
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 tsp coriander powder
2 tbsp. Butter
0.5 cup almond paste (almonds blended in a blender)
green chillies finely chopped (depending on taste)
salt

Instructions:

1. Drain excess water from yogurt.
2. Mix marinade ingredients with yogurt.
3 Poke chicken all over and marinate for 5-6 hrs in refrigerator.
4. Broil in oven at 375 F for 10-15 min. Turn pieces every 5 minutes.
5. Towards last five mins baste chicken with butter.
6. Heat butter in med. sized pan. Add garam masala, cinnamon, clove, ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Cook for approximately 2 min.
7. Add tomatoes, chili powder, salt. Boil. Reduce heat, simmer 10 min.
8. Add chicken. Cook 2 min. Add cream and honey. Cook over low heat for 5 min.

La Boheme

Thursday, November 29th, the LA Opera had a matinee (1 pm start) performance of Puccini’s La Boheme at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. The View from seat K-41 in front balcony B is not the most spectacular, but being towards the center is not bad. The acoustics in the theater, at least from this seat, are average. One does not have trouble hearing the orchestra, but at times voices may seem strained. This particular performance was conducted by Placido Domingo, with Massimo Giordano (Rodolfo), Maija Kovalevska (Mimi), Luca Salsi (Marcello), Laquita Mitchell (Musetta) et al. The audience seemed to enjoy the show. Some people were dressed up, but many were casual as well. The average age of the audience was probably in the 40s or 50s. The older men seemed to wear jackets, at minimum; some also wore ties. But one would have fit in if he wore a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt. Some women wore dresses (cocktail), but most were in pants and sweaters/ blouses. There was a fifteen minute intermission, during which late-comers (who were placed in open seats) were allowed to go to their actual seats. There was also a five minute break in between acts. The set and costumes were quite visually pleasing. There was a large screen above the stage for super-titles. Parking was at a lot nearby, since the Music center lot was full by 12:30 pm. One could purchase a pre-paid parking pass ($8) for that lot, which was subsequently honored at the other lot (about a 1 minute walk from the center, on first street). The show lasted until 3:30 pm.

Temple Bar

Temple Bar is a great small location in Santa Monica for eclectic music. Friday night, the acts included Mojacar Flamenco Jazz, Latin Soul and Los Pinguos. 

Doors opened a little after 8:30, with Mojacar taking stage a little after 9pm. They performed for about an hour. The performance was acceptable, not at all like a performance at El Tablao de Carmen in Barcelona . Would not pay to see Mojacar again though.  Apparently the performer, Katrina Tomas, also gives lessons in Santa Monica.

Scheduled to perform were Sana Sana, but most of the members of the band could not make it, so the lead singer performed with his other band, Latin Soul. They were a marked improvement over the flamenco, the main reason for the drive down to Santa Monica from Bakersfield.  The set was pretty good with decent grooving music.

The main act seemed to be Los Pinguos. They played an eclectic mix of music, ranging from ska to reggae. Reminiscent  of Ozomatli, who had performed in Atlanta a few years back and at the Playboy Jazz Festival in 2006.

The food at the Temple bar is pretty good. The best dish is probably the Caribbean Shrimp, a spicy shrimp dish with rice, mango and some jerk-type spices. Also good is the shrimp cocktail, served with a corn type salsa and tortilla chips. Drinks are a little on the weak side.  Entrees average between $13 – 15, which drinks range in the $9 -$12. Entrance fee is $10, with a minimum of $25 expenditure per person at the tables (standing is free). 18% gratuity on parties of 4 or more. Located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica. Open 8 pm – 2 am everyday.

Palak Paneer

from allrecipes.com

Absolutely Perfect Palak Paneer
Submitted by: Mairi Noverr
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
6 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
2 dried red chile peppers
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 cup sour cream
3 pounds fresh spinach, torn (3 – 10oz frozen)
1 large tomato, quartered
4 sprigs fresh cilantro leaves
8 ounces ricotta cheese
coarse sea salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large saucepan heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and saute garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of ginger, red chilies (optional ingredient) and onion until brown. Mix in the cumin, coriander, turmeric and sour cream (add more or less to achieve desired creaminess). Add the spinach, handfuls at a time until it is cooked down, about 15 minutes total. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
2. Pour spinach mixture into a blender or food processor and add the tomato, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of ginger, and cilantro (add more or less according to taste). Blend for 15 to 30 seconds, or until the spinach is finely chopped. Pour back into the saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
3. In a medium frying pan heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat, and fry cheese until browned; drain and add to spinach. Cook for 10minutes on low heat. Season with salt to taste.

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