Everyone loves chips and salsa, it's one of the simple facts of life like the sky is blue and elephants are nosy. But too many people go through life getting their salsa from jars, and that's just sad. The proper way to dress your tortilla chip is with a generous heap of salsa fresca (rough translation: fresh sauce). This is another recipe coming from dear ol' Dad, and it is truly a case of father knows best.
Ingredients 3 tbsp finely chopped onion 2 small cloves garlic, minced 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped 3 tbsp minced cilantro 2 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice 1 bell pepper, chopped Salt and pepper to taste TODAY'S SECRET INGREDIENT IS: Tequila blanco
Directions
Chop all your veggies (not counting the tomatoes here, because they are fruits, remember?) Please note that the size of the jalapeno pieces will alter the spiciness factor of the finished product. Bigger chunks=spicier scoops.
Put the garlic and onions in a strainer and set aside for a bit.
Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover all three tomatoes (but don't put them in yet) and bring to a boil. Turn off heat.
Ladle a few scoops of the boiled water over the onions and garlic for about a minute, this will "cook" them sufficiently.
Cut out the stem of the tomatoes and cut an X on the bottom of each tomato. Drop them in the hot water for about a minute. This is going to loosen them up a bit and allow you to easily peel them. After they look wrinkly enough, you should be able to take them out of the water and wipe the skins off.
Slice your now-naked tomatoes along their equator (picture the globe) and squeeze out the excess juice and seeds before dicing.
Now you can combine all of your ingredients in a bowl. Mix well until it looks like a decent salsa (see photo).
Add a splash or two (or seven) of the SECRET INGREDIENT. Let the salsa sit in the fridge for a few hours so all of your ingredients become really close friends before serving.
The bigger the batch with this recipe, the better. Salsa is versatile and can be used as a dip as well as in a variety of recipes. Like Dad's Guacamole, this would go well with Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas or Fajita Burritos, and should be enjoyed with a Corona or a margarita! Buen provecho!
Summer is here and the time is right for dancing in the street. Leave it to WXPN to bring the perfect opportunity to do just that. Each year they promote their Xponential Music Festival at Wiggins Park on the Camden waterfront. The concert is three days of music combined with a little bit of art to give off a vibe of Woodstock on a small scale. If you haven't checked out this fest in the past few years, here are six reasons to give it a go this year.
#1 - The price is right
In the late 1990's and early 2000's, a summer tradition was going to see the Y100 Feztival which was promoted as being a concert that featured twenty bands for twenty dollars. With WMMR's recent MMRBQ featuring six bands for nearly sixty dollars, it seems those days of affordable festivals are gone. This is not the case with the Xponential Festival. Prices range from as low as $15 for an XPN Member one day pass to $50 for a three-day, non-member pass. Kids are five bucks any day, regardless of membership.
#2 - More bang for your buck
Whereas many local festivals feature less than ten bands, XPN will offer you much, much more. Thus far there have been 26 acts lined up for the 2010 fest, with more to be added in the next six weeks. There is a decent variety with bands such as the Cowboy Junkies, known for their cover of the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane," and local favorites Dr. Dog, among many more.
#3 - The starting lineup
On Friday, the first night of the fest, expect to see it headlined by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, whose raucous, rocking set tore the house down at the 2007 Xponential Festival. Saturday could be headlined by either indie faves Yo La Tengo or Roseanne Cash, daughter of the man in black himself. Sunday's expected headliner could be Robert Randolph and the Family Band, a group whose live performances are like a revival tent on speed and steroids, or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros whose hit "Home" has received ample airplay on XPN in recent months.
#4 - It's a family affair
This concert is very laid back and rarely overcrowded. It's a safe venue to bring along the kids, who even have their own stage with a variety of family-friendly acts performing each day. Furthermore, if you are a member, there is an area set aside where you can pick up some free lemonade and cool off in the shade while still being within earshot of the music. This area also plays host to meet and greets with the various artists playing that day, but if you time it right you can get in and out before a line forms.
#5- Get your grub on
You're not going to pay ten dollars for a cheeseburger that makes McDonald's look appetizing at this event. One of the bonuses of being in a park and not in a normal venue is that XPN can hire outside vendors who prepare better foods, like delicious BBQ viddles, and sell it at a price that won't make you cry. This isn't to say the food is cheap, but definitely more affordable than standard concert fare and it is certainly tastier.
#6- Easy access
Don't let the festival's Camden address scare you off. If you can get to Center City, you can get to this show. One option is to take the PATCO line from Center City to the City Hall stop in Camden, and walk a few blocks from there. Another option is to take the ferry from Penn's Landing (near Dock St.) across the Delaware that drops you off directly next to Wiggins Park. Either way is quick, easy, and saves you from tolls and parking fees.
The Xponential Music Festival comes your way from 16 July through 18 July in Camden, NJ at Wiggins Park. For more information, check out XPN's website where more details will be released in the upcoming weeks.
According to the novel High Fidelity the making of a good mix tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. Furthermore, a good mix is never finished. You never know when you will come across a song that changes the dynamic of the mix you just completed. There is a litany of intricacies to crafting the ideal mix no matter what the mix’s intended purpose should be. This feature is merely a guide on the cosmic highway of mix making, and while experienced, the writer does not claim to be an expert.
2010 Soundtrack of Summer
Each year toward the end of April/beginning of May I find myself yearning for summer weather and its associated activities. It is at about that time that I begin work on the 120 minutes of music that will define the season. Following is the track list for this year’s soundtrack of summer, an ideal mix to play at your summer kick-off bash.
1- “Rastaman Chant” by Bob Marley and the Wailers
This song is the opening track off of a live Wailers CD I picked up at a Starbucks. A British gent introduces the band, and after some applause, the drums bring you into a perfectly chill groove. This song is ideal for summer activities such as drinking a rum-based drink near a body of water or driving nice and slow down the street hoping to catch the eye of the cute guy or gal sitting on their front stoop.
2- “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills and Nash
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that after years of enjoying CSN (even seeing them live once) that I never noticed the final part of this suite was in Spanish. For those who are not aware, a suite is a piece of music broken into several smaller parts. This four part song details the break up of Stephen Stills and his girlfriend at the time. The acoustic guitar and classic CSN harmonies make this a great song to play at a BBQ, especially when followed by this next song.
3- “Armada Latina” by Cypress Hill featuring Marc Anthony, Pitbull, and Stephen Stills
After the previous song builds towards its Spanish finale for six and a half minutes, this song continues where it left off. With Stephen Stills playing guitar and providing backing vocals, Marc Anthony singing the chorus, and Pitbull adding a verse, Cypress Hill may have created the perfect summer song. The percussion really adds to the summertime feel of the tune and Anthony is doing what he does best, singing in Spanish. If you can picture yourself poolside downing Coronas and/or tequila when this song comes on, you must be a winter person.
4- “Stunned Out” by Paula DeAnda featuring Young Joc
While I am not a big fan of people trying to bring back the eighties, I do really enjoy this song, which practically samples the entire decade. This is the type of summer jam that conjures images of a bunch of people dancing on a deck somewhere. It’s a fantastic party song that is sure to be enjoyed openly by the ladies at your fete, and secretly by the lads.
5- “Bedrock” by Lil Wayne and Young Money
Guys, before you pass judgment on this song you need to realize it combines two things you probably love: sex and video games. The lyrics are all about promising the lady in your life an evening she’ll never forget. Now, listen to the beat and tell me it wasn’t made with Mario Paint! This song was made to play toward the end of a party so you can remind your significant other what they’re in for once the party’s over.
6- “I Want You” by Savage Garden
I promise you that if you play this mix at your party this summer, the party will be remembered as epic and a lot of the reason for that is this song. This mix has been constantly spinning in my car for over a month now and every passenger falls in love with this song. The song delivers a simple message in a complex way, which is to say the singer pretty much rattles off a bunch of nonsense, including something about Cherry Cola, all to say that he wants you. This is a fantastic tune for any summer dance party.
7- “Little Secrets” by Passion Pit
This song has a fantastic beat and high-pitched singing, what else could you need? Besides being a great dance song, this song will help bring your party together. Your party-hardy friends are already on the floor at this point, and this song will keep them there as your hipster friends join in. This is the song that throws your party into full swing.
8- “Ambling Alp” by Yeasayer
The bubbly noises that kick this song off will remind everyone to rehydrate, and then thirty seconds later the synths and drums show up and reinvigorate the dance floor. Aside from keeping your party going, this song has a good message about looking out for number one and is the perfect catalyst to shedding those cold-weather blues away.
9- “Audience” by Cold War Kids
I must admit that the dance party will wane a bit when this song comes on, but don’t worry, it’ll pick up again in about three minutes. In the meantime, this awesome song will allow for some conversation, giving people a chance to get to know each other a bit more. So while this doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a summer dance party, it’s a catchy song that will have people trying to sing along by the time it fades to the end.
10- “The Opposite of Adults” by Chiddy Bang
With a sample of MGMT’s “Kids,” this tune is going to send your party into the next gear. Pay careful attention to the lyrics when these two Philly boys slam suburban schlub Asher Roth and his terrible song about college. The kicking beat and fantastic rhymes in this song will make it a winner amongst your friends, who will all be amazed by your ability to find the best songs ever. For the record, this is another great song to rock out to while driving slowly and showing off your indie cred.
11- “Bullet Proof” by La Roux
Once this song plays, you will have a full-fledged dancing party that will not end. This is a fantastic dance groove guaranteed to get your guests singing and dancing their butts off, and really, isn’t that the goal of this party?
12- “California Girls” by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg
Like “Bullet Proof,” this is a hot club song right now that will serve as the musical fuel to power the fire that is your party. Seriously, take a listen and close your eyes, I know you can picture people in swimsuits dancing and singing along to this. Unless of course you are the aforementioned winter person, and should that be the case, I’ll have plenty of those mixes for you in about six months.
13- “Giving Up the Gun” by Vampire Weekend
I realize that not everyone is into the type of music in the last two songs, so this should appease them. It’s another great tune that will bridge the gap between your guests’ varied tastes in music. The echoey vocals conjure up visions of summers past, and in the future when this song comes on, your guests will think of you and your awesome party.
14- “Lollipop” by Mika
Flamboyant vocalist? Check. References to candy? Check. Thinly veiled sexual innuendo? Check. Sing-along chorus and a booty-shaking beat? Check. I really don’t know what else needs to be said about this song.
15- “Kiss, Boy” by Kate Nash
Every dance party needs a song with a decent brass section, and here’s yours. At this point, you’re an hour into the party and people are having so much fun, that you just may get the kiss that Kate sings about wanting.
16- “Lay Me Down” by the Dirty Heads featuring Rome
Normally, this song wouldn’t really be one for dancing. But at this point in your fiesta, it will do the trick. Besides, no summer mix is complete without Sublime, or in this case, a Sublimesque song featuring their new singer. Also, if you’re talented like that, this wouldn’t be a bad song to play on the boardwalk with an acoustic guitar and your stoner friend playing his djembe.
17- “Sweet Dogs” by Trolle//Siebenhaar
This sweet, relaxing song is a carried by a simple, yet kicking drum beat. Likewise, it’ll carry your party along nicely, allowing your guests to slow down and dance a little closer without a vibe-killing slow jam being brought into the mix. Plus, it will add another point to your indie cred scoreboard, if that’s your thing.
18- “Story of My Life” by Social Distortion
I heard recently that people either love or hate Social D with little middle ground. Despite that, the guitar riffs in this song have the summery vibe necessary to carry this mix onto its coda.
19- “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel
This could be a regional thing, but I’m pretty sure everyone loves Billy Joel. This tune is all about a guy convincing a girl to get frisky with him, and let’s face it, half of your guests are doing the same thing. Impure intentions aside, this song is a fun way to cap off the summer mix.
Now that the mix is over, pop on any local radio station that broadcasts a DJ set from a club, and that will carry your party well into the night. Feel free to leave suggestions for other themed mixes in the comment box. Until next time, that’s your Mixtape Madness.
Guacamole is an amazingly delicious dip/side/something to eat with a spoon. It pairs well with almost any Mexican dish as a spread or topping, and can also be used in lieu of salsa with tortilla chips. It is remarkably versatile and ridiculously tasty. There are many different ways to prepare guacamole, with this particular version being a favorite. It's based on a recipe found in Wine Enthusiast magazine, with a few adjustments made. Ingredients 1 Hass avocado 1 tbsp diced onion (Vidalia is recommended) 1/2 tsp chopped jalapeno 1 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice Salt to taste TODAY'S SECRET INGREDIENT IS: 3 tbsp diced green apple or half a green apple
Directions
Scoop the flesh (green stuff) out of the avocados and mash it up in a bowl.
Dump in all your chopped veggies and mix well, adding a pinch of salt as well.
Pop it in the fridge to let it cool down and to let all the ingredients become close friends.
The original recipe called for peaches and mangoes, but as it turned out the supermarket was plum out of peaches and the mangoes purchased weren't the ripest of fruits. Therefore, extra apple was added in place of these to fruits, giving the guacamole an interesting tartness. This would go well with Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas or Fajita Burritos, two favorites around here. Regardless of how you eat it, be sure to enjoy Dad's Guacamole with a Corona or a margarita! Buen provecho!
Before I delve too far into this topic, allow me to first describe what "buffin" is. Growing up, I always enjoyed spending time with my Grandpop. Grandpop was a self-described trolley-buff, and spent much of his free time collecting any type of transit memorabilia he could get his hands on. Included in this hobby was riding the mass transit systems of cities he visited while photographing and documenting the vehicles he saw and rode. This affinity for trains, trolleys, and buses came from experiences as a child riding the 47 trolley from his school in North Philadelphia to visit his grandmother in South Philadelphia. Over time, Grandpop began to refer to these photo excursions as buffin, a term I was not aware he made up until my twenties. As I grew up I was one of the few who never tired of going on these day trips with Grandpop, and I have come to enjoy a few such trips on my own in the past couple of years.
My focus today is to document an ideal buffin' trip throughout the main part of Philadelphia. The trip I have planned was originally intended to start from my old apartment in South Philadelphia. This trip will be low in cost, and cover as many modes of transportation as possible. The only major modes left out are the 101 and 102 Suburban trolley lines, the Norristown line, and the PATCO line to New Jersey, all of which take the rider outside of Philly's limits. This trip will remain within the city. Before embarking on a buffin' trip, a local transit map such as this SEPTA one is key to have handy. This is especially key for cities that are rail-heavy, such as New York City or Washington, DC. In the case of this particular trip, this map only covers a portion of the routes that will be used. Nevertheless, the map is always a helpful tool, and if you happen to be as into this type of thing as I am, check out the book Transit Maps of the World. In it you will find every metro map the world has to offer. It's a handy guide to not only getting around the cities, but how to read the maps and other interesting facts.
As previously stated, this is a relatively cheap trip. A one way fare for SEPTA is $2, with transfers costing an additional $.60. An ideal way to pay for this trip is to have a pocketful of quarters, dimes, and SEPTA tokens. A ten-pack of tokens will cost you $14.50, which gives you more than enough to get around and lowers your price per fare by $.55.
The trip begins with the Broad Street Subway. The Tasker-Morris station was a short walk from my apartment, making it a good starting point. At the station, go to the window with one token and sixty cents to get your transfer. Then catch the next train heading North.
At the City Hall station, which is the fourth stop following Tasker-Morris, you will transfer to the Market-Frankford line, or the El. Follow the blue signs to get to the El's Eastbound platform (towards Frankford Transportation Center). This is a free transfer, so you won't need to use your transfer or another token so long as you remain in the station.
Your journey on the El will keep you underground for awhile, before coming up between the 2nd Street and Spring Garden Street stops. From then on, you're on the elevated tracks going through the trendy neighborhoods of Fishtown and Northern Liberties before turning and heading through the Lower Northeast. In the interest of keeping things simple, I'm going to trim a bit from this portion of your excursion and have you disembark at the Girard Avenue stop, which will be the second above-ground stop.
From this station, head downstairs and look for the trolley stop in the middle of Girard (See photo). Give the trolley operator your transfer and you are good to go. In 2005, SEPTA brought trolleys back to this route, which had previously been serviced by buses. As a nod to their history, they restored some old PCC cars like the one seen on the left to service this route. For trolley buffs, this is a fun route to ride for a trip down memory lane. For everyone else, a stop across the street from the Philadelphia Zoo doesn't hurt.
Unfortunately, this trip doesn't include a zoo visit. Instead, in the interest in using as many vehicles as possible, you'll get off of the trolley at 19th Street where you will wait for the route 33 bus, with another token and sixty cents in hand. The main reasoning behind taking the 33 over other buses in the area is its design. The 33 is a heavily used route, and therefore has a special extended bus that many refer to as a "slinky bus" in reference the the accordion-like connection between the front and rear of the vehicle.
The 33 will take you past the Free Library, Franklin Institute, and Moore College of Art before bringing you back into Center City along Market Street. As you cross the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, take a look to your right to get a look at the Art Museum. Shortly after passing the Franklin Institute, you'll get off of the bus at Market Street. From here you will see City Hall to your left and Amtrak's 30th Street Station to your right. Begin walking towards 30th Street until you reach 22nd Street. Here you will see a stop for the Subway-Surface trolley line. Head downstairs and turn in your transfer for a quick ride to City Hall. Once at City Hall, follow the orange signs for the Broad Street Subway Southbound for a free transfer back to the subway that will take you back to our starting point at Tasker-Morris.
Throughout the trip, you will have several opportunities to snap photos on train and trolley platforms or while waiting for your bus to arrive. You also always have the option to get off whichever route you are on to do a little sightseeing, although it will add to the cost of your trip. An especially good place to do this is along Market Street. Should you get off of the El at 5th Street and walk down to get back on at 2nd Street, not only will you have a whole host of buses to photograph, but your walk will highlight some of the best parts of historic Philadelphia (Old City) including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
As you may have guessed, this trip could take quite a bit of time, and I would advise starting around 10am, after the morning rush. This should leave you plenty of time to finish your trip before the evening rush. I hope to post more blogs of this nature both in Philly and other cities, and I hope you enjoy your trip!
