Anthology

Popeye’s Perfect Appetizer

By Jackie Barrios & Casey Pukl

Spinach! Oh yes, that unpleasant Leafy vegetable we hated eating as kids and saw the amazing Sailor Popeye enjoy, can now be appreciated in a delicious dip. Popeye was right on a few things: eating more spinach is a great idea, and it can be enjoyed alone or hidden within another tasty vehicle. Either way, the green vegetable provides the body with a great source of protein and goes well with just about anything. This week Executive Chef Kristen Burman found a clever way to use spinach- mixed with white beans and an amazing Greek pita. Yum!

Spinach & White Bean Dip
Grilled Pita, Crispy Spinach

To start this delightful dip, Burman starts by blanching the spinach (place in boiling water, then remove and place in an ice bath). This preserves the lovely green color. Afterwards,  squeeze to dry.

To cook the white beans, Burman uses cannellini here in the Anthology kitchen. She recommends the beans should be cooked as directed or if you can’t find time to cook beans, use store bought canned white beans, They will work just as well. Just open and drain from the can.

Next you will puree the spinach and white beans in a food processor with about equal parts of each.  Depending on how you would like to savor the dip, add a couple of spoons of roasted garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice for flavor.  Place the puree into an oven proof dish or otherwise heat in a sauce pan.

While the dip is getting warm, grill or bake  some wonderful Greek pitas and cut into wedges. For an extra added garnish, fry up a few Enjoy!

Recommended Wine Pairing

Zocker, Gruner Veltliner, Edna Valley, California, 2010
White Pepper, Ripe Melon, Fruit Cocktail

This wine is one that has quickly become a house favorite. For those who tried it during the week of our okra and crayfish gumbo, you’ll get to see this wine in a whole new light this time around. Director of Restaurant Operations, Marc Canzoneri, has a new personal favorite. “I love this white. It’s crisp, has great acidity, and not only does it do well with seafood, but it also holds up to stronger vegetables like asparagus and spinach. It’s a great complement.”

Be sure to come in this weekend, and split some dip with a friend! We’ve got:

**TONIGHT** Stephanie Mills at 7:30pm
9/15 A Tribute to Whitney Houston: “Queen of the Night” at 7:30 & 9:30
9/16 Blood, Sweat & Tears at 7:00 & 9:00
9/18 Future of Forestry at 7:30
9/19 Erika Davies & Burt Brion at 7:00
9/20 Alex Bugnon at 7:30

Tickets are always available at our website, anthologysd.com

An Interview with Tristan Prettyman

By Casey Pukl

From the physical pain of having major vocal surgery to the heartache of a broken engagement, San Diego’s Tristan Prettyman has sure had a lot to write about in the last year. Fortunately for us, she’ll be sharing all of her gloriously emotional songs at StreetBeat this Saturday in Little Italy! Read on for details on her latest record, Cedar + Gold, out this October including what inspired it, what her writing process was like, and just what she’s most looking forward to about playing her hometown!

CP: Tell me a little bit about your latest record, Cedar + Gold. You’re so much more grown up on this record than we’ve ever heard you before.

TP: Yeah, I’ve done quite a bit of growing!

CP: I know you had some vocal surgery and a lot of life happening that’s been poured into this record. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Bobby Caldwell

By Casey Pukl

It’s hard to resist singing along to one of Bobby Caldwell’s prolific hits. Somewhere between the smoky rhodes, poppin’ horns, and Caldwell’s easy voice, one can easily get lost in a musical feel-good zone. Almost 35 years past his classic single, “What You Won’t Do For Love”, Caldwell is not only still writing, recording, and touring, but doing all three more than ever. Having fully embraced the digital age, Caldwell is well on his way to not only continuing to nurture his long-time fanbase, but also gain traction with a younger audience. To say it’s impressive would be a huge understatement. His latest record, House of Cards, touches on some of Caldwell’s signature sounds and topics, yet explores some newer contemporary jazz territory. Read on to find out what inspired his latest album, how he’s had to adapt to the ever changing industry, and just what our San Diego audience can look forward to at Caldwell’s upcoming show!

CP: Tell me a little bit about what inspired your latest record, “House of Cards”?

BC: First of all, I think that it’s been a long time coming. We’ve been restructuring our business, and bringing everything in house. So this is a result of a couple of years of songwriting, leaving stuff I really wasn’t wound about to the wayside, and trying to get a more eclectic and diverse mix of stuff. Music today seems to have a sameness about it, and I just wanted to get some real diversity on this record.

CP: Can you elaborate on restructuring your business model to bring everything in house? Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Kristin Hersh

By Casey Pukl

I’ll admit, I’ve been pouring over this particular interview for over a week. There are some interviews that I can try to edit to make them better, shorter, more cohesive, but at the end of the day, you just have to let them go because what was originally written on the page truly is the best representation of the flow of conversation. It makes such a difference and really gives you a glimpse into who the musician is  you’re talking to.

Hersh is best known as the singer of 90’s rock band Throwing Muses, but she has done oh-so-much more over the last 20 years. On paper, she’s now a singer, songwriter, guitarist, published author, band founder, and musical pioneer. In person, she’s an all-around super genuine, honest, and reflective badass— at least that’s what I gathered from 43 minutes on the phone.

With that being said, I’ll let her speak for herself. Meet my new bestie (if you haven’t been obsessed with her songwriting already), Kristin Hersh as she talks about being 100% listener supported, what it’s like to transition from songwriting to writing a memoir, and just how she hears the songs in her head.  Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Jason Marsalis

By Casey Pukl

 It’s no secret that the Marsalis family is on top of the jazz world. The youngest sibling of Wynton, Branford, and Delfaeyo, Jason is an extraordinary percussionist who’s latest project involves him layering multiple mallet instrument tracks down and playing all the parts himself. I had the chance to catch up with the youngest Marsalis brother this week to get the scoop on his current record in the works, just what he means when he talks about “jazz nerds”, and what he thinks about the progression of jazz.

CP: What are you working on these days?

JM: I’m working on my next record which will be out early in 2013. We’ll actually be playing music from that at Anthology.

CP: Tell me a little bit about this new record!

JM: This is a record with vibes, and I made it with my band, so it’s vibes, piano, bass, and drums. I have music of mine and of my band members. There’s also tunes that involve mallet instruments. On previous records, I’ve done these tracks that I like to call “disciplines” where I would overdub multiple drum parts to make a big ensemble. Now I’ve just done the same thing with mallet instruments. There are songs where I’ve overdubbed vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, you name it! Some of that will be on the record as well.

CP: That’s rad. So you’re writing arrangements for yourself to play across multiple instruments.

JM: That’s correct.

CP: What has that experience been like? Read the rest of this entry »