Last night my friend Syd came to San Francisco to perform with Gregory Douglass at San Francisco’s Dolores Park Cafe. I was immediately taken back to my days at Emerson College when my classmates and I would crowd into our main dorm’s basement performance space to listen to 19-year-old Syd soulfully strum his guitar and sing his folksy-rocky original songs. I’m fairly certain that most of the female (and likely a large percentage of the male) population had a sizable crush on Syd—and for good reason, as he was and continues to be handsome, funny, and REALLY talented.

Syd is doing something really cool that I want to share with you. He just released a new album (his best yet, as far as I’m concerned), called Upswing, and get this: he’s giving it away. Yep, that’s right. For free.

All you have to do is go here.

Also, check out the new music video from Upswing, The Big Town.

Free music that rocks. What’s not to love?

This quick, simple and satisfying recipe is a nutritious twist to an old favorite. Whereas traditional tabouli uses bulgur, this one substitutes with quinoa: A delicious, nutty and highly beneficial ancient grain. Indigenous to South America, quinoa was a staple for the Incas and was referred to as “the mother grain.” Quinoa has the highest protein content of any grain and is rich with calcium, iron and B vitamins, making it an especially important food for vegetarians. Quinoa has a complex, slightly nutty flavor and can be used as a healthier alternative to rice and other common grains. This dish can be served hot or cold.

This recipe is so good that it ruins any other passover baked goods for you. This is truly the best!! This is adapted from Judy Zeidlerʼs The Gourmet Jewish Cook.

This BrokeAss Breakfast is actually one of my favorite things to have for dinner. Full of protein and good carbs, bursting with fresh, spicy flavor and balanced with just the right bit of tanginess from the yogurt or sour cream (I prefer yogurt), this quick treat makes use of one of my favorite Mexican fruits, the tomatillo. If you’re feeling indulgent, top with sliced avocado.

Inspired by Gabi’s $50 Pantry, I decided to offer a budget friendly home bartender version I call the basic budget bar. You my find that you already have some of the items I mention, or stock the spirits I suggest; so $65-$70 is a rough estimate based on the average cost of buying some of these basics.

• Equipment

• Shaker Tin and Strainer $12

Next time you go to a bar, order an apple martini, or a cosmo, and watch the bartender make it. She’ll pour the ingredients into a pint glass and use the tin to shake the drink before straining into a glass. Like a knife and cutting board, a shaker set is the most basic cocktail making tool. Get yours at a restaurant supply store and you should pay no more than $12. Look for a plain stainless steel tin, and a strainer. Like the bartender, use it in conjunction with a pint glass. For a few bucks more you can opt for the all in one set that includes a fitted cover with built in strainer. You can find these at Target, BevMo, or my favorite shopping place: online.

While you’re at it, pick up a muddler ($4) and if you don’t already have one, a wine bottle opener ($4).

• Glassware $10 for 18

I spent a week going to various places trying to find nice cocktail and wine glasses for cheap. The big winner by far is IKEA. Whether you’re looking for a set or by the glass, check out the SVALKA line (less than $1 per glass). Target and Costco had some great deals if you’re willing to buy sets. My restaurant supply store had good prices per glass, but they only sell by the case. In the end you should buy according to the kinds of events you like to host. If you stay under $2.50 per glass, you’re doing well.

I have a SVALKA set from IKEA with 6 white wine, 6 red wine, and 6 highball glasses that I bought for $9.99. I’ll bring it out for parties, and with the regular glasses I have in my cupboard I can easily host a party of 25 people with out having to resort to plastic cups. If you do resort to plastic, follow my advice from the first post and buy clear, smaller cups, (about 10oz). They can be used for wine and cocktails, and will make your booze last longer.

Speaking of Booze…

• Liquor

The following list is based on the principle of buying few but versatile products. It’s really the only way to save money and still have a lot to offer.

• Vodka & Rum $11 for 750 ml.

The building blocks to so many cocktails, and the most versatile and useful spirits to have around. Check my first post for cost and brand buying guidelines. Either is good in a pinch, but I like having both.

• Brandy 11for 1 L

Not as versatile for making cocktails, but essential for making warm drinks like Hot Toddies and a variety of coffee and hot cocoa based drinks.

• Triple Sec $9 for 750 ml.

If you don’t have a bottle, drop everything, and go get one. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Seriously, I cannot overstate the usefulness of this cordial.

• Other Cordials $5-$12/ 750 ML

Buy these in small bottles. A little goes a long way. No more than two is necessary; so pick your favorite flavors. Some flavors I find useful are: peach, raspberry, melon, amaretto, sour apple.
That’s really about it. No need to buy anything perishable—get that the day of the party. And all other equipment can be easily improvised with what ever you already have in your kitchen. So get out there and stock up, then come back and look for upcoming recipes and advice based on this short list.

Happy mixing!