Review: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Title: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (Scott Pilgrim #2)

Author: Bryan Lee O’Malley
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication Date: June 15th, 2005
Genre: YA, Graphic Novel

Scott Pilgrim is back and about to fight Ramona’s second evil ex-boyfriend, Lucas Lee. If he wants to date the mysterious Ramona Flowers, Scott will have to defeat her seven exes. Lucas Lee, skater and actor, dated Ramona in the ninth grade, and now Scott will have to defeat him. Will Scott triumph? Will he finally break up with Knives Chau, a self-professed Scott-aholic? Will Sex-Bomb-Omb make it big? And what will happen when Scott’s ex-girlfriend, Envy Adams, returns to Toronto with her band? When it feels like the whole world is against him, Scott will to step it up to be with the girl of his dreams.

In the sequel to Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life, Scott Pilgrim is currently dating two girls: the young and innocent Knives, and Ramona, who’s cool and mysterious but comes with tons of baggage. The story begins with a flashback to Scott and Kim meeting in high school, and at first I was a bit confused as to what was going on and why this was relevant. However, it was interesting to learn more about Kim and Scott. I thought that Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World didn’t read as smoothly as Precious Little Life, since there were parts that were a bit confusing and rocky. However, it was still entertaining overall. It makes Canada (specifically Toronto) seem very cool. Which is refreshing, since it feels like all my non-Canadian friends are always making fun of Canada’s 'lameness' (apparently if you live in a country with children playing hockey on your five dollar bills, you’re asking to be made fun of.) There are battles at Casa Loma and the Toronto Reference Library and a gig at Lee’s Palace. I loved the drawings, especially since I’d been to most of the places in the book and knew what they were supposed to look like. The characters are just as quirky and charming as ever, and pretty much everyone is likeable (except the bad guys, obviously.) The plot was fast paced and original, making Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World a book that was a lot of fun to read. The sequel didn’t quite match the original, but it was still fresh and enjoyable. I will definitely be continuing with this epic and funny series.

4/5

Empty Cupboards: Day 3 / Couscous Salad

I'm beginning to think this challenge is the best thing that's ever happened in our kitchen. Who knew I had all of these options with so few ingredient choices? I must admit, I've been missing my daily cheddar cheese slices, but my reliance on them may be more mental than anything else anyway. The man and I are not accustomed to a vegetarian diet, though. We're definitely eating differently than usual, but I'm learning that a little change is good for us. 

Day 3: Couscous Salad with French Vinaigrette
My mother makes a mean couscous salad that's fresh and light and fabulous. I was missing the key flavor ingredients though--sliced green onions and feta cheese--so it took me a few minutes to figure out a flavor alternative. Enter French vinaigrette. Homemade French vinaigrette. (Yes, I went to the fridge to grab the bottled kind and found that someone had kindly put it back on the shelf with only a few drops left. That may have been me.) This dressing has just the right touches of mustard and vinegar. My usual liberality with the salt and pepper came in handy with this dressing and, of course, once I tossed the salad with the dressing, I was liberal with the parmesan cheese too.

The Salad
Inspired by Mom

1 cup chicken broth
1 cup couscous, uncooked
1 cucumber, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
3 celery stalks, sliced
S&P
parmesan cheese

In a small saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Stir in couscous and remove from heat. Cover for five to six minutes. Fluff with a fork when all liquid has been absorbed.

Transfer couscous to a medium bowl and add chopped vegetables. Toss with vinaigrette (recipe below).

Serve with liberal sprinklings of S&P and parmesan.

The Vinaigrette
Inspired by David Lebovitz

sea salt
1/4 yellow onion, diced as finely as you can get it
white vinegar
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil (rough amount)
freshly ground pepper
fresh / dried herbs of your choice (I used dried parsley)

In a jar or your own equivalent, stir together sea salt, onion, and vinegar* until combined. Add Dijon mustard and stir. Add olive oil and stir until well combined**. Give it a little taste test. If it needs more zing, add more mustard / vinegar; to cut down on the bite, add more olive oil.

Just before serving, stir in freshly ground pepper and herbs. Toss with mixed greens or couscous salad, or use as a dip for fresh veggies.

*I have no idea how much mustard and vinegar I ultimately put in; I kept adding it little by little. Experiment to find your ideal flavor (for the couscous salad, I found that more zing is better).
**David says the dressing can stand for eight hours at room temperature. If you're making the vinaigrette ahead of time, it's best to leave the onion out until just before you're ready to serve.