Colette’s Cool Coif

Colette de Pan Am est l’inspiration la plus récente pour ma coiffure. Ou en d’autres termes mon inspiration actuelle de coiffure en français.—MEZ

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Adapted from an article by John Mariani about Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia that ran in the magazine Sports Afield, my twist on a traditional pot pie leaves the wild game out and adds more veggies. Instead of being about living off the land, it’s a homage to modern Americana, and the frozen chicken pot pie. I always make it just after the holidays when I have currant jelly leftover from baking cookies. Your family will love this dish—it’s some of the best comfort food and sits right in chilly winter weather.—Michelle Zaffino

Two pie crusts, top and bottom

1 pound of chicken meat, cut into cubes

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 slices bacon

2 Tbsp. butter

2 diced carrots

1 cup diced potatoes

1/2 cup peas

3 Tbsp. flour plus some for dredging

2 cups chicken stock

1 bay leaf

2 Tbsp. currant jelly

1 egg

Salt and pepper chicken, dredge in flour, then brown in a skillet over medium-high heat in 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Remove from skillet. Saute bacon cut into 1-inch tidbits until crisp, and remove from pan. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in skillet, add diced carrots, potatoes and peas. Saute for 3 minutes, and remove from skillet. Lower heat, stir in 4 Tbsp flour and cook while stirring for two minutes. Raise heat to medium, add 2 cups chicken stock, bring to a boil, then simmer for two minutes. Return chicken and vegetables to the skillet, bay leaf and currant jelly. Cover pan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Add mixture to a pie pan lined with dough and place the other on top. Crimp the edges of dough, and brush it with a wash of one egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water, then cut several vents in the pastry to allow steam to escape. Place on a baking pan, then bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees F until crust is brown.

Quick Tip: Sometimes I cheat and use cooked meat saved from my last Julia Child-style roast chicken with tarragon. If you do this, skip the dredging and cooking step, obviously.

January 11, 2012

On the Road

This just in: Okay, even though it’s months away, I just can’t keep myself from blogging about thebiz. It was recently announced that the On the Road movie will probably premiere at Cannes in May. Jack Kerouac and the Beats are definitely part of the reason I moved to San Francisco to become a writer (Anne Rice is another). The free-spirited joie de vivre they ignited has always inspired me creatively, as has the Beat habit of writing to the tempo of music. They were completely flowing prose.

Angel-headed hipsters is what Jack Kerouac called his musician, artist and writer friends and they started a lasting movement in the 50s and 60s. Their work went from being banned to required reading (btw, I was the first person to check out On the Road from my high school library). Eventually this became indie culture. It’s sometimes commercialized but publishing is a business like any other, one that’s being revolutionized in an exciting way just like the Beats did to their generation. Everyone break out your GPS-enabled eReaders and tablets and hit the road.

Which brings me to the leading ladies, two of my all-time favorite young women actors: Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst. Who inspires writers? Where do they look for inspiration for their stories? When are more women going to get credit for their stories? We can watch this real life movement about a feeling that was transformed into speed-writing as adrenaline-fueled as their lives and escapades (and find our own true muses at the same time).—Michelle Zaffino

p.s. Look for the In the Stacks.tv video book review of On the Road—coming soon!

December 21, 2011

In the Stacks Makes Donation

As we announce at the end of every episode of In the Stacks, a copy of each book we review, free promo galley, reader’s copy or otherwise is donated to charity. This year’s donation went to 826Valencia. Read on for a full list of books donated to their writing lab.—Michelle Zaffino

Blue Bloods, The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Lily Dale, Discovering by Wendy Corsi Staub

Twilight, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Nancy Drew Eco Mystery: Green-Eyed Monster by Carolyn Keene

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

Girl Stays in the Picture by Melissa de la Cruz

Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Emily the Strange, The Lost Days by Rob Reger

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Elliot Allagash by Simon Rich

John Belushi Is Dead by Kathy Charles

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

All Things Unquiet by Anna Jarzab

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Viola in the Spotlight by Adrianna Trigiani

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Dead Rules by Randy Russell

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

Sister Mischief by Laura Goode

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

Ordinary Beauty by Laura Weiss

Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Amplified by Tara Kelly

Clean by Amy Reed

Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell

Stay by Deb Caletti

December 14, 2011

Bike Shopping

Things I’ve said to bike shop sales associates while shopping for a bike the last couple months that they’ve been completely unfazed by:

1. I’m a total joyrider

2. I generally bike in a skirt

3. No, I don’t need toe clips because I usually ride in flip-flops

4. I want an off-road road bike

5. I need to be able to lift the bike and put it in the back of my car

6. I want a cyclocross frame with a flat bar

7. No shocks! No aluminum!

8. The most important thing for me is the color. How much for a custom paint job in black and citron green?

9. My last bike was stolen.

10. Where’s the kickstand?

Seven bike shops and counting but I’m getting very close to finding the one.—MEZ

My Allegra Pasquino Novel

For now just titled Allegra, the historical teen novel that I recently finished the rough draft of is the reason I became a writer.

In 1501 Rome, Allegra, the daughter of the tailor Pasquino, takes over where her father left off after he’s arrested and jailed for posting satirical barbs directed at the Vatican and others on the infamous talking statue. The story runs parallel with Lucrezia Borgia’s third marriage, and Allegra and her family create elaborate gowns for the event in their atelier, and continue to anonymously post.

Original satires that were posted on the various talking statues are scattered between the chapters. Sides are taken, competing designers plot and scheme, and marriages are arranged. Murder and escape may be the only way out.

The ghost of Allegra comes to a present-day relative, a young woman writer, and asks her to record her story. Allegra thinks if the real truth is told she will be at peace. The writer agrees, and as a result realizes that compared with journalistic outlets in the modern age, posting on the statue was a unique freedom of expression, the early Renaissance equivalent of blogging or tweeting, and is inspired to start her own online publication.—Michelle Zaffino

November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving on a Roll

Anticipating all the leftovers I’m going to get tomorrow, I’m already craving my fave sangy, Thanksgiving on a Roll. This sandwich brings plain old turkey to a whole new level. Inspired from the one on the menu at Chat n’ Chew in New York, here’s my twist:

Slice deli Kaiser rolls and slather with mayo on one side, and cranberry jelly on the other. Warm turkey slices and your favorite stuffing (a chestnut version, moist from being in the bird!), stack them on bread, and you’re set. Gravy is optional.—Michelle Z.

November 16, 2011

LIBA LOVE

I’ve tried almost all of the food trucks in San Francisco. From fusion burritos and tacos, bun to buns, Hapa Ramen noodles (which is a close second) to bahn mi, and my absolute, knives down, favorite is Liba. All the years I’ve lived in SF I never found a decent falafel, until Liba. Call me a food purist, but sometimes simple is best. Often I just want to eat at the old burrito truck at Spear and Folsom and hang on the Embarcadero park while I chow down on rice and beans, or experience the equivalent of. Love should be uncomplicated with a little surprise on the side.

Liba serves a basic falafel made of chick peas, and yes it’s lightly fried, but so what. The small pita sandwich is a perfect size and what makes it outstanding is the choice of toppings from the fixings bar. There’s tahini and yogurt, along with a range of Mediterranean salads almost beyond imagination. Choose from Roasted Eggplant in Tomato Sauce, Tomato Cucumber Salad with Mint, Red Cabbage with Black Sesame Seed, Spiced Carrot Ribbons, Red Beets with Lemon and Thyme, Rosemary Peanuts, among others, and of course, Hummus and Harissa Hot Sauce. It’s all organic fare, served up with a unique point of view evocative of the worldly California cuisine the Bay Area is historically famous for.—Michelle

November 9, 2011

The Third Wave

“I am without a doubt saying don’t settle. For the first time in history women are actually equipped—with college and graduate degrees; with valuable workplace skills; with real earning power—to write their own lives, and because of this we should all pause and think very hard and honestly about what we actually want….For now, I feel very fortunate that I’ve built my life in such a way that I have the resources and freedom to pursue my own interests, and to truly enjoy being single.”—Kate Bolick interviewed by Refinery29

Plus, some very interesting new research in an article by someone who may be my new heroine for how well she understands my life and choices!—MEZ

p.s. Another gem of a quote: “If you are open to life and to people, you will find LOVE when you’re ready, and in your own time. Meanwhile, cultivate your powers, treat others well, and live honestly.” And wait for this. I will never give up on it.

October 26, 2011

Look Booked! Handcuffed to Style, not a Slave to Fashion

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about how guys dress and how to wrap them up in style. And since not spending a lot of money (hint: check consignment and vintage stores) but still looking pulled together, and not like you’re trying too hard is what I do, I feel my modus operandi could be passed to them. Wardrobe crimes are similar to women’s mistakes—anything that doesn’t fit or is too casual is punishable, as is wearing fleece. There’s lots of evidence out there that guys care what they look like. Some men do dress creatively, plan their wardrobe, like to shop and let their style be part of their personality, making the uniform into something more. In other words, there’s hope.

Here’s a list of ten essential items—pieces that I think every guy should have in his style file.

1. Hip-slung lightweight wool pants – paired with a graphic or plain tee. Denim is great, but graduate.

2. Blazers or sporty suit jackets – vintage or new, velvet, tweed, or canvas, this is the most versatile item a guy can work with – wear them with jeans, even shorts.

3. A refined hoodie – to wear layered underneath the blazer.

4. Ankle boots – sleek leather or rugged combat style.

5. Heavy metal leather punk influence – best when paired with plaid – think preppy punk.

6. Tees – In cool colors and themes that are an extension of things you love.

7. The right sweater – should not be one your mother bought you.

8. New style wing tips or spectators.

9. The Pea – the classic navy coat for keeping warm.

10. A Vest – with or without a suit and tie.

I dare you to break out of jail for the fashion-challenged. Wear what you like and what looks good on you. When you feel great with it on, you’ll know what that is, and love broadcasting it to the world.—Michelle Zaffino

Picture of hot guy (not Michael Pitt, the other hot guy) courtesy of The Style Blogger, whose blog you should also check out for fashion advice.