i’d like to go on a rant about tv shows. and show you a really good pizza recipe. here we go.
we don’t have cable. i realize we’re not unique in this, because there is nothing good on tv worth watching. all of our television consumption comes in the form of netflix, and i think this has completely changed my experience with shows. over the last couple of years, we’ve watched entire seasons of shows straight through rather than waiting for an episode a week (alright, not straight through as in we sat on the couch for 20 hours straight, but straight through as in 1 or 2 episodes a night…perhaps in the winter it may have been closer to 3-4, but that’s not something i should admit).
so what are the best series, in my opinion? here are my top 5:
#5: LOST – this is the show that hooked me on waiting for an entire season to come out before watching it. there are so many good things about the early seasons: the interlacing of all the character’s pasts, the mystery of the island they crashed on, the flashbacks and flashforwards. of course, i was enamored with sawyer from the start. and then the last season came around. and it was, without a doubt, the worst. the series finale left me with a false feeling of closure. they wrapped up the show with a nice little character reunion. it was sweet. until you realized that they never actually explained any of the mystery and the ending made no sense. and the man in black? wtf? it took about three days for anger to set in after seeing the finale. any time i talk to someone who is in the midst of season 2, i have to restrain myself. the show is just so good, until it’s not. but it still holds my #5 position. let’s just all ignore the ending…
#4: Mad Men – it’s hard not to love this show, it’s so pretty and offensive in a historically accurate way. my favorite character is without a doubt joan. i want all of her outfits and hairstyles and wit, without the sexism. while the show is entertaining to watch, i do think it gets a little tired. you love don and then you hate him, over and over again. we’re are admittedly a season behind on this one, and i’ll continue to watch it, but it seems like the worst is on the horizon for all characters and it’s getting kind of depressing (with the exception of the episode where roger does acid). and what’s up with fat betty?
#3 – Sons of Anarchy – this is the show we are currently in the midst of. i’ve watched the beginning of season 4, but stopped to let jason catch up. yes, this is a show about small town bikers. the ratio of violence to non-violence is a little higher than i usually have the stomach for. but the characters are so good, it makes you side with what in normal life you would consider the bad guys. usually the most entertaining parts of the show are the little side missions the guys go on and the one-liners that go along with it (personal favorite: juice’s “damn hybrids…dangerous!’ when a man they’re chasing with guns blazing gets hit by a car he didn’t hear coming). i admit that some of the story lines come together a little too cleanly, but i can look past that and just enjoy the ride (get it? so clever).
#2 – Breaking Bad – this show is the only tv show that has physically given me anxiety. again, lots of violence here which isn’t my usual jam, but the story line is so good. ex-chemistry teacher turned drug lord with a brother-in-law DEA officer? just how quickly this show escalates is fascinating. and there is no doubt that bryan cranston is one of the greatest actors of our time. every episode is good, but the season finales are remarkable (watch them twice in a row remarkable). and saul…he should have his own spin off show.
#1 – The Wire – am i cliche for thinking this is #1? i don’t care. what carries this show is the story lines. there are no fancy cameras, no exotic scenes, no flash, really. it’s gritty, dirty, and real. the cops aren’t flawless, they don’t solve every crime, and they often play dirty. the gangsters form co-ops and meet in hotel conference rooms. the show wins on pure reality. it’s entertaining because it’s believable, not because it’s showy. and omar? greatest gangster/poet ever.
so those are my top 5. what am i missing?
game of thrones? maybe if i hadn’t read the books ahead of time.
homeland? i hear good things. perhaps that’s next on the list.
how about we take a break and eat some pizza? this white chicken pizza is made with a cauliflower sauce (instead of the traditional alfredo white sauce) and a whole wheat crust. it’s not bad for you. so eat a slice (or 2) and watch a show.
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 medium sized head of cauliflower, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed black pepper
- ½ cup milk (skim, 2% or soy)
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ - ¾ cup warm water
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1-2 chicken breasts
- 1 roma tomato, sliced into rounds
- 1 chili pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or gruyere
- parsley, as garnish
- Combine chicken broth and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then add cauliflower pieces. Cover and cook for 7-10 minutes, until cauliflower is tender.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a small pan. Add in garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Transfer garlic to food processor.
- Once cauliflower is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer cauliflower pieces to food processor as well. Do not discard the broth in the pot!
- Add salt, pepper, and milk to food processor and blend until smooth. Add ½ cup of broth and pulse until you reach the desired sauce consistency. Add a little more broth or milk if necessary. Still, do not discard the broth in the pot, you're not quite done with it yet.
- In a large stand mixer, combine all purpose flour, yeast, salt, and oil. With mixer on medium speed, add water, a little at a time, until an elastic dough starts to form.
- Add in whole wheat flour, a little at a time, until firm but stretchy dough forms.
- Finish the dough by kneading by hand.
- Place into a bowl and cover with a damp towel. let rise for 15-20 minutes.
- Add a teaspoon of salt to the broth from the cauliflower and bring to a boil.
- Add the chicken breasts to the pot, making sure they are fully submerged (add some extra broth if needed).
- Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and poach for about 25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken.
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to about a ¼ inch thickness. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using a spoon, spread cauliflower sauce over top, leaving a ½ inch of so for crust.
- Top with shredded chicken, sliced tomatoes, chili peppers, cheese, and some salt and pepper.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and chicken has browned a little on the edges.
- Use the broiler for a minute or two at the end, if necessary.
- Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
recipe adapted from pinch of yum.
I’ve really been enjoying Pretty Little Liars. Maybe check that out.
writes whitbullOrange is the new black is phenomenal
writes S. Dieselyou forgot about the Real Housewives of Orange County. C’mon Vicky!
writes DyanDexter!
writes Sarah2evening
writes 3perfunctory