Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
You’d barely know it if you’ve seen the film, but a central plot point to The Hunger Games trilogy involves the majority of a nation’s citizens being hungry.
When food is mentioned or described, bread is almost always key: the warm bakery bread Katniss and Gale eat in the woods on the morning of the reaping, the flat, dense loaves they make from their grain rations, the burned loaves of bread Peeta threw to Katniss when they were children.
The bread from District Four, described as a “fish-shaped loaf tinted green with seaweed,” is first mentioned in the first book, The Hunger Games, when Peeta shows Katniss that their bread basket features bread from each of the districts. These loaves are seen again in Catching Fire, when Haymitch and the sponsors send a loaf of District Four bread to Katniss and the District Four heartthrob Finnick Odair.
Sheets of nori, bonito flakes and soy sauce blend together to give this soft bread a subtle, sea-like flavor. Set aside an afternoon to bake some Hunger Games bread, and of course, may the odds be ever in your favor!
District Four Seaweed Rolls
Mix the milk and bonito flakes and heat gently over low heat until warmed through.
Stir four drops of green food coloring into the warm water. In a small bowl, mix the yeast, sugar and warm water. Allow yeast to bloom for 10 to 15 minutes.
Whisk together the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add in the yeast mixture and turn mixer on low. Strain the bonito from the milk then pour the milk slowly into the mixer. Add the oil one tablespoon at a time.
Allow stand mixer to knead the dough for 10-15 minutes. In the last few minutes, add the nori. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Place in a warm place for about an hour.
Punch down the dough after an hour and split into eight equal sized pieces. Shape into ovals and pinch the bottom third. Snip the bottom with kitchen shears to create a fishtail.
Whisk together the egg, remaining milk, soy sauce and 3 drops green food coloring. Brush on the fish-shaped rolls and allow to rise for 20-30 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Bake for 15 minutes at 375 F.
Emma Carew Grovum is a data journalist working at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.
It’s that time again!
It’s when everyone on earth cosplays, but calls it Halloween.
Last year, I went all out and made some tutorials, a freebie Mockingjay pumpkin DIY and shared the anatomy of my Katniss Everdeen costume. Seems like a good time to bring it all out again!
Here’s some helpful links:
Of course, other people have also contributed greatly to the Hunger Games costume quest. Here are some of my favorites:
The Lady Geek of this week, Amy Ratcliffe (@amy_geek on Twitter), is “a writer who speaks geek.” Her blog, Geek with Curves, features “reviews, convention reports, interviews, and random geek squees.”
Remember Liz’s Hunger Games dinner party? Well, Amy took it one step further and hosted the Fake Hunger Games in her backyard. Tributes were chosen, people died (sort of), and a winner prevailed. With cocktails flowing, water balloons for ammunition and extraordinary Mockingjay cupcakes. It looks like Amy and her friends had a blast.
In the mood for some Harry Potter film nostalgia but not really jonesing to break out your boxed set of 8 DVDs? In a blog post for Nerd Approved just before the premiere of the final film, Amy picked out her favorite Harry Potter highlights. From the epic to the heart wrenching to the downright terrifying, Amy’s selections might just leave you eyeing your boxed set and calling in sick tomorrow.
I have a feeling Being Geek Chic readers will love Amy’s blog. Amy is fresh and fun. She’ll teach you how to make a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles grilled cheese, and, at times, she’s a little cheeky. Not even the New York Times gets a free pass from this lady geek.
Do you know someone worthy of Lady Geek of the Week? Send her name and her website (or blog or Twitter account) to [email protected].
(Photo via Amy Ratcliffe)
Post by Emma Bauer, who works as BGC’s official intern. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, history scholar, tea drinker, fashion devotee, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic. On twitter: @emmalynnbauer
YouTube is making me all kinds of happy, happy this week. Here’s some pickings for you, my friends.
The Art of Film & TV Title Design
PBS’s Off Book series on YouTube is a must-need subscription. The videos are always beautiful and fun. This week, they’re talking about the art of film and tv title designs. Fincher’s Seven to Zombieland to Mad Men, get a sneak peek at how artists brings these important introductions to life.
How The Hunger Games Should Have Ended
If you aren’t familiar with How It Should Have Ended, then it’s worth checking out. This week, they challenge the end of The Hunger Games and make a *wee* bit of fun of Peeta.
Women Authors Prominent on ALA Banned Books List
It appears that women are holding down the America Library Association’s most challenged books of 2011 list. Suzanne Collins, Harper Lee, Kim Dong Hwa and Lauren Myracle all make the list.
Happy weekend everyone!
Maps are sort of a thing in sci-fi. I remember after reading The Hobbit in the Eighth Grade I spent an hour placing all these great moments in the book to the map of The Shire.
Maps are also sort of a thing in home design. People love them because they’re a great conversation starter and have this historical element that makes a space feel timeless.
Now, if only all my favorite fictional places had a high-design map version for the home. I’m thinking: Merge the design sensibilities of the map offerings from These are Things with the fictional worlds we love. This isn’t a traditional Geeky at Home post… this is more a: dammit, why doesn’t this exist!? post.
Here’s a list of all the maps I feel should be designed in this manner and then appear in my home right now:
1. The Shire
2. Panem
3. Westeros
4. Hogsmeade
5. United Federation of Planets
I think I just invented an Etsy shop. Who wants to go in on this business idea with me!?
