Hi all,

Sheaman, at the movie theater you dodged a landmine that has been in the back of my mind -- a BIG bucket of popcorn. Good for you.

Try this: Next time you buy a head of broccoli, save the stem and a few of the tops. Cut them up small and put them in a pot with some chicken broth. Cook them until tender, season with salt, pepper and butter if you'd like, and buzz this in a blender until smooth. Pour it back in the pot but keep the heat low. Add some grated cheese (sharp cheddar maybe) and if you like a little cream. Keep stirring until the cheese has melted, but don't let it boil. Makes a fine soup.

I sometimes do this with asparagas stalks too, but without the cheese. This is good too. (Oh, just in case, put a towel over the top of the blender when you buzz it.)

And reward yourself with two dodged-two-tough-ones brownie points.