This Week's Staff Favorites: Volume 17

Masterpiece Mystery: Poirot’s Murder on the Orient Express
With David Suchet’s announcement that this upcoming season of Poirot will be his last, I decided recently to catch up on the series. One of the best that I have seen so far is Murder on the Orient Express. It’s Hercule Poirot at his most creative, using those “little grey cells” to their fullest potential. After a passenger expressed to Poirot that his life was in danger while on a cross-continental train called the Orient Express, (a real-life train that ran through Istanbul to Paris) the man is found murdered. Full of deductive reasoning and wit, Poirot uses his talents to unravel the murderer’s identity despite unique circumstances. The story is abundant with twists and turns and unless you’ve read the book, the ending is a surprising one and will leave you wanting more. If you like historical fiction & mysteries, you can order the episode along with others on DVD through SWAN.

-Judy, Reference

Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks
As a child we all had imaginary friends. It’s not always easy to know whether it is misperception or illusion. The author Oliver Sacks tells of many stories of his patients that some hallucinations are brought on by disease or injury, not the types that occur with schizophrenia.This book describes the experiences and impact that illusions have had in their lives. Once reading through the chapters, you will find it’s not always in your head.

-Darlene, Circulation

Heartworn Highways
If you like country music, specifically the outlaw country subgenre, I recommend you request this documentary about the emerging scene in Nashville and Austin in the 1970s. It was filmed in 1975 and features performances by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, David Allen Coe, Gamble Rogers, and The Charlie Daniels Band. The documentary is worth watching, but if you only want the music, the soundtrack is also available through SWAN.

-Mike, Reference

Stroganoff
Yes, our extended winter does have an upside: more time for indulging in comfort foods. My favorite has to be stroganoff--so filling, flavorful, and yet somehow stately. I modified the traditional recipe from its gut-bombish beef and sour cream origins in order to make it healthier, and the end result was still delicious and even better as a leftover.

1. In a large frying pan, sauté two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon garlic, and one chopped white onion until the onion is translucent.

2. Add 1.5 pound of ground turkey breast, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking the turkey into small pieces as it solidifies.

3. Add two 12-ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup and bring to a low boil.

4. Mix in one cup of low-fat Greek yogurt, along with one teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon of oregano, one tablespoon of basil, and liberal amounts of pepper. Return to a low boil.

5. Stir in 1.5 cups of chopped celery and six ounces of frozen, chopped spinach. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Serve over penne pasta or egg noodles. This recipe made six (huge) servings.

-Megan, Reference