Watch your Ass, Arizona

You may remember this gem of a Fourth Amendment case from last year, in which Division Two of the Court of Appeals rejected a warrantless search of an arrestee's anal cavity.

The State didn't take that rebuke too kindly. The case, State v. Patricia Barnes, has been accepted for review by Arizona's Supremes.

(Here's the original Division Two opinion.)

Hamburger Steak with Cointreau Sauce

Voila: the latest fruit of my kitchen experiments.

Here's how I like my hamburgers. Gather up a ball of meat, about a 1/3 to 1/2 lb. works best, and rub in some kosher salt and pepper. Splash it with soy sauce -- just a splash, or else your burger will become soggy and lose consistency. Flatten it into a patty, turn up your stove burner to medium heat, and pour some olive oil onto a cast iron pan. Throw a little butter on there, too. Drop the patty on the pan and leave it alone. Don't prod it, don't mash it with a spatula when it starts to rise, or you'll knock out the juices. Flip it once after 3-4 minutes, cook it for another 4 minutes, and take it off the heat. Drop it on a nice toasted piece of bread of your choice.

For the sauce:

1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 tbsp. oil (or if you just cooked your hamburger, use the leftover juice)
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 tbsp. flour
1/3 to 1/4 cup demi glace or beef stock
1/2 cup Cointreau
salt and pepper, to taste

Toss the onion into the oil/juice on medium high heat, coating it in the oil; cook for about 2 minutes. Add Cointreau and turn heat to high; cover pan and reduce by half. Add butter and flour and rapidly whisk together. Add demi glace. Check seasoning and add salt & pepper as necessary.

Fight the Power

Another trip to the neurologist's office, another act of petty rebellion.

Last time I swiped a recipe for curried pumpkin soup from the waiting room. This time:




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