2007; Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement
Directed by James Bobin (6 episodes), Troy Miller (2 episodes), Taika Waititi (2 episodes), Paul Simms, Michael Patrick Jann (1 episode each)
The Flight of the Conchords are a 2 man novelty band, a folk parody duo from New Zealand, consisting of Bret (not Brit) McKenzie and Jemaine (not Jermaine) Clement. I heard of them from my brother about a year and a half ago, when he emailed me a Youtube clip of the Conchords live. I had to watch the video three times before I knew what I thought.
McKenzie and Clement's humour is subtler than I'm used to and certainly quirkier. It's also more innocent, sweet and naive. Like that first song I heard them sing, their first season took some getting used to for me. By the third episode, however ("Mugged"), I was hooked. The series follows the guys trying to make it big in America. With their earnest band manager, Murray Hewitt (the awesome Rhys Darby), their best friend, Dave (Arj Barker), who can't remember where they're from half the time and their one fan, the obsessed stalker, Mel (Kristen Schaal), Bret and Jemaine navigate their way through body image issues, suffering discrimination, attempting to pay the rent on their little apartment, and taking advice from David Bowie. Throughout each episode, the guys sing their hilariously original and clever songs. The soundtrack is definitely the best part of the series.
Girlfriends come and go throughout the 12 episodes, but the real relationship story here is between Bret and Jemaine. Their friendship and musical partnership is severely tested at times, but proves true.
Ultimately the Conchords make me grin. I love them and can't wait for Season 2.
MINI PAVLOVAS
Why? Because pavs are originally from New Zealand and I couldn't resist the opportunity to make them, having wanted to for a long time. And because I'm one of the typical people Bret and Jemaine meet who know nothing about New Zealand. "Like Lord of the Rings....Frodo...The Ring! Pavlovas! Well, don't let me bore you with my knowledge of New Zealand." And finally, because pavs are fun to eat. Airy, chewy and subtle.
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, almond extract, or rosewater
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 large pomegranate
Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until foamy (about 2 minutes), then begin adding the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you have stiff peaks. This will take 8-15 minutes. (I intended to time it, but my beaters died partway through, destroying my clock-watching abilities.) Test if the meringue is stiff by pulling the beaters out (after turning them off!) and seeing if the whites stand up where you pulled the mixer out.
When the whites are stiff and shiny, gently fold in your vanilla or rosewater. (You won't need more than the amount specified, as the long, slow baking really brings out the flavour. Next time I use rosewater, I may actually do a bit less, like 1/8 teaspoon).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dollop the whites onto the pan (makes 12 pavlovas, 2-3 bites each). If you want a "nest," make an indentation with the back of your spoon.
Bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven to cool for 20 minutes or so. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, peeling them off the parchment paper first.TO ASSEMBLE THE PAVLOVAS:
Whip the cream until it stands in soft, floppy peaks. You could sweeten the cream with a half tablespoon of sugar, but I didn't, as I found the pavlovas sweet enough. Set aside.
Cut the pomegranate in half and hold 1 half upside down over a plate. Whap the skin of the fruit with a spoon to make the seeds come raining out (the funnest part). To assemble each mini pav, dollop the cream evenly in the nests and sprinkle the pomegranate seeds evenly over each pav.
Enjoy with some quirky comedy.
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