US – Thursday, March 18
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
My Entertainment
Flash-fried finger-lickin’ chicken
Here, “un-fried” really means flash fried. Flash frying is a high-heat deep-frying technique used to rapidly brown small pieces of quickcooking food such as tiny calamari or small shrimp to avoid overcooking them before the crust browns. Flash flying requires an oil temperature of at least 400°F — which means you have to use an oil with a high smoke point, like grapeseed oil. By poaching the chicken first and then flash frying it, I was able to eliminate 20 grams of fat and at least 250 calories from traditional fried chicken. Because the chicken is already cooked, it only has to spend enough time in the hot oil to brown the crust, which means it absorbs less oil.

Taken from “Now Eat This!” by Rocco DiSpirito.

 
My Entertainment
Take comfort in lighter dishes
As a chef, Rocco DiSpirito knows a thing or two about the transcendent, magical power of a stick of butter. But loading up on the good stuff wasn’t really an option when writing recipes for his new book “Now Eat This!,” a collection of comfort foods that clock in at under 350 calories.
 
New York Going Out
Gallivan is a chef for all seasons
There’s no secret to why Terrence Gallivan of August restaurant is this week’s Hot Chef (um, just look at his picture). But this Virginia-raised chef is nice as well — he won’t even say anything bad about Gordon Ramsay.
 
Philly Arts
Dreaming up life in a ‘Future City’
Gene Coleman has a recurring dream in which he finds himself in a strange city. “I don’t know where this place is, and I don’t think it’s any place that actually exists,” he says. “But it has these fantastic, almost surrealistic architectural qualities to it.”
 
Published 19:22, February the 8th, 2010
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Photo: Doron Glid
 

Best friends and aural illusionists

Phantogram is a rural band that makes urban beats and mocks each other for wearing ugly braces

As a duo that creates J-Dilla beats, uses vocals like Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval and rocks like Radiohead, friends Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel have quite an undertaking with each show.

It’s not that they can’t handle it though, especially as they’re about to begin their first headlining tour.

They just need to take proper precautions.

“We’re only allowed one alcoholic drink before we start playing or else it’s not going to happen,” Barthel confesses. “We have a lot of things to do up there.”

Despite their edgy rhythms and the shoe-gazey overtones, this is no urban outfit. The pair hails from Saratoga Springs in upstate New York where they first met in junior high. Such familiarity makes touring together easier, given such a long history.

“You can’t get more awkward than 9th grade,” says Barthel.

“You had different rainbow colors on your braces,” Carter adds with a laugh.

“That was the trend back then!”

It’s clear that Carter and Barthel’s friendly chemistry extends beyond their music. But that doesn’t mean they don’t fantasize about having a full back up band someday. Their wish-list of session musicians run as follows: ?uestlove on drums, The Breeders’ Kim Deal on bass, a slew of back up soul singers and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood on guitar.

“Kim Deal could help with the harmonies too,” says Carter. “We’ll take care of the rest.”

Phantogram with Junk Culture
Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Great Scott
1222 Comm. Ave., Allston
$10, 617-734-4502
www.greatscottboston.com
 
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Union Hall
702 Union Street, Brooklyn
$10, 718-638-4400
www.unionhallny.com

Friday, 8 p.m.
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
$10, 212-260-4700
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
 
Saturday, 8 p.m.
Kung Fu Necktie
1248 N Front St
$8, 215-291-4919
www.kungfunecktie.com

Heidi Patalano