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Ava is becoming a master in the kitchen!  With a focus on healthy food, she’s become a pro at several things.  I think her favorite is to make custom omelette’s for the family.  Below is a perfect example of one of her specialty salads.  Mixed greens with fresh tomato, cucumber, strawberries and teriyaki chicken.  Her favorite salad dressing is Ranch dressing, but only a touch!  I personally like the Fartacus tee shirt!

Matt Becker – Live from Matt’s House

There’s nothing better than watching the Phantom Gourmet on a weekend morning, preferably AFTER you’ve eaten, because if it’s before, you’re likely to jump in the car and find some good food to eat!

The Kitchen on Islington Street in Portsmouth is a great spot.  Take a look at thekitchennh.com to check out their menu.  They have many Gluten Free options on the menu and a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, signature dishes and salads.  I’ve gotten to know this restaurant through Morgan Stanley, where on occasion they will deliver lunch to the office.  I’ve never seen such a perfect tray of salmon and chicken to go on top of the salads that they bring.  My favorite salad there is the Spinach Salad, which has candied walnuts, strawberries, pickled red onion, goat cheese and a honey mustard vinaigrette balsamic reduction.  Try it with a piece of salmon on top!  Take a look at the video below, you’ll want to get in your car and go!

Matt Becker – Live from Matt’s House

“Loving Cup” closes the first half of Exile, punctuating a tumultuous, ragged half-hour of rock & roll with a shot of mountain-climbing redemption and lyrical warmth. Originally attempted at London’s Olympic Studios during the Let It Bleed sessions, then revived and finished in early 1972 in Los Angeles, it’s one of several gospel-steeped Exile songs that didn’t come out of the band’s hazy time at Nellcôte. This may account for its very un-basement-y maximalism: Nicky Hopkins’ majestic piano comes on like clouds parting, and the song seems to gather momentum and emotional power as it gathers influences. Jagger goes from self-deprecating come-ons (“I am nitty-gritty and my shirt’s all torn/But I would love to spill the beans with you till the dawn”) to innocent elation (“Feel your mouth kissing me again/What a beautiful buzz”) in a country drawl. The bright soul horns and a backing choir (which probably included an uncredited Gram Parsons) enhance the song’s sense of deeply spiritual gratitude.

Love that song!

Matt Becker

Live from Matt’s House

This is the biggest oyster I’ve ever seen!  My favorite place to buy oysters is Seaport Fish Market.  Not only is the fish incredibly fresh, but Seaport Fish is a big supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire.  Each year, they supported our event, The Big Bash on Little Bay with a full service, all you can eat oyster bar.  Last year they served over 600 oysters to our guests!  Nothing beats a fresh oyster with a touch or horseradish, lemon and a splash of hot sauce!

Matt Becker – Live from Matt’s House

The Oar House Deck, in Portsmouth, NH is a great location and the food is outstanding…  I had the opportunity to have lunch there today and I was very impressed, I haven’t had a Reuben Sandwich for ages and I was not disappointed.  For those of you out there that are gluten free, this place is great. The photo below is with gluten free bread, and it was a brand that I haven’t had but it was perfect.  For the record, a Reuben is a hot sandwich, normally on grilled rye bread with corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing.  Ok, I wouldn’t recommend this every day, but on occasion it’s a great treat!

Matt Becker

Live from Matt’s House

My favorite summer soup!  There’s nothing better than fresh gazpacho with tomatoes from your garden.  Make sure the tomatoes are fresh, and don’t forget to take the skin off of the tomatoes – the best way to do this is boil water, cut an X from the bottom of the tomato, blanch them in the boiling water for about 2 minutes and then immediately place them in ice cold water.  The skin will come right off.  Enjoy the summer!

Matt Becker

Live from Matt’s House

I must say, this is one of my favorite Robert Johnson songs.  It always has been.  Robert wrote “Love in Vain” in 1937.  He wrote if for Willie Mae Powell, who is mentioned in the song.  John Hammond, Jr. (the son of John Hammond, who discovered Bob Dylan) made a documentary on Robert Johnson, called, “The Search for Robert Johnson” in 1991.  I would highly recommend this for any fan of the blues.  One of the best parts of the documentary was when Hammond interviewed Willie Mae (who was once Robert’s girlfriend) and played for her “Love in Vain”, where Robert calls out her name in the song.  She never knew about the recording.  She was visibly surprised and filled up with emotion as she remembered Robert in that time.

Here are three recordings….  The original 1937 version from Robert Johnson, a Rolling Stones version from 1995 and an Eric Clapton version from 2004.  My favorite version of “Love in Vain” was by the Rolling Stones on the “Let if Bleed” album in 1969.

Matthew Becker Portsmouth, NH

Live from Matt’s House

Thank you goes out to Paul and Kim McStowe for having their annual party!  It was a great time…

Matt Becker Portsmouth, NH

Live from Matt’s House

Off of the album “Let it Bleed”, this is the only song that Keith Richards sang completely on a Rolling Stones record.  I think the era of “Let it Bleed” and “Exile on Main St.” was their best work….  All these years later, they’re still on tour!  Below is the lesson from James James on YouTube (also Privettricker – which this is taken from).  Below that is a live version from Keith and Ron Wood in 2013.  Love that slide guitar from Ron Wood….

Matt Becker Portsmouth, NH

Live from Matt’s House

This is off the tribute album that Eric Clapton put together with friends Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Derek Trucks and Don White.  The album features 16 beloved JJ Cale songs.  Eric has often stated that JJ Cale is one of the single most important figures in rock history.  JJ passed away at age 74 in July of 2013.

This is a great version of Call Me The Breeze, which was made famous by Lynyrd Skynyrd in the mid 70’s.  It was also made famous by my good friend, Mike Lewis of the Mike Lewis Band….  He kept telling me I would sit in on that song during his next gig, but for some reason, I only play Rolling Stones songs with the band!

Matt Becker Portsmouth, NH

Live from Matt’s House