Monday, October 25, 2010

Foodie Film

Big Night

So I promised I would start watching Food Movies listed in Epicurious's list of Top Ten Foodie Movies.

The first one is Big Night.

Basic Plot:
Primo and Secundo are two Italian brothers who own an italian resterant on the Pre-situation Jersey Shore. Their business is failing so, in a last ditch effort to save their business, they host a party for a famous Jazz musician, arranged by a rival resteraunt owner who is trying to get his hands on Primo and his talents. The brothers put all of their money into creating the feast of a lifetime.

This movie was awesome! Defintely dragged me in, and I enjoyed it a lot. It was funny, a big tragic at times, and heartfelt without being Cheesy crap. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloup were both really great as the two brothers. Their relationship is very real and beleivable. Just a great film

I should add that this film had an interesting scene where the brothers made a dish called TImpano, which can be described as epic, and had fro better or worse inspired me to make my very own.

Here is a recipe for this masterpiece

Over all Alexandra Rating: I'm hungry

The Spice of Life

Ween Edition
Foodies out and Proud!!! Apparently there is already a foodie backlash. Chow offers us some kind words on why we shouldn't take this abuse.




And now that this injustice is addressed, let's move on to the really important things in life: Halloween.

Arguably my favorite holiday,do not be surprised if after I finish blogging about the Pumpkin Tart I made last night, all entries for the remainder of the week are didicated to this most glorious of holidays.

Lets start with a foundation of the celebrations; costume.

First, I should note this past weekend I attended my first costume party of the season, and to this gala I went dressed as Daria. My sister also plans to wear a sister outfit of Jane to select 'Ween festivities.

If you love food and haven't thought of a costume yet try a food icon, via Chow.

Still stuck? How about uber-fab super-bitch Anna Wintour? College Fashion outlines some great easy costumes that are actually just an excuse to add cute things to your wardrobe.


Of course there have been a bunch of great ideas for hosting Halloween parties (which we do and will be reported on). And provided you don't just turn to the ultimate guidence of that demi-God among homemakers, Martha Stewart, like I do, then here are some fun ideas:

full on guide at Epicurious

Martha's creepy eats

And while we are on the work of the Dame of the Domicile I should mention she has created the first Halloween cocktail that my family is truly excited about. The Bleeding Heart Martini. Why are we so excited?! because it is the first such cocktail that is both cute and festive, but not sweet or in any way less potent then the Pollack Libations we are used to....hurray!!!!

Don't want to just feast on regular pre-packaged snack size Halloween treats (why I don't know...you're probably not well) here is a fun article on making your own.

And finally: confused about our current financial crisis, love Halloween candy, willing to engage in trade. Chow offers us a comprehensive study of the exchange rate and market value of each Halloween candy. Very useful

Monday, October 18, 2010

Happy Turkey-flavored Nut Loaf Day

So I have to post about this because I think it is an interesting topic:
Should Vegans Host Thanksgiving and not serve their meat-eating family members turkey?

I have to admit, all liberalness aside, I don't think so.
A. I think in the instant case the vegan family in question was being a bunch of D-bags responding to their family's lack of sensitivity with...well...a lack of sensitivity. Believe it or not, vegan's of the world, some people do not think a tofu, nut loaf is as satisfying as Turkey on a holiday. Should vegans be forced to eat dead bird on Thanksgiving, no. should they have to prepare a dead bird for this holiday even though it is opposition to their beliefs, no. But should their family members have to choose between them and a staple of their holiday, don't think so.
B. that being said, I hate to be a jerk here, but I feel like this letter speaks to the overall preechy nature of veganism as a whole. I know, I know; meat is murder. I applaud those that stick to their guns and choose to not eat it. However, I get really annoyed when people demand that others make such demands asking for their loved ones to conform to their personal moral beliefs. I mean they wanted to bring the Turkey and everything....lighten up.

I know I sound intolerant but the bottom line is this:

It's really great you don't eat meat! really! good for you!

But if everyone you know is willing to make concessions for you (ie, put out some tofu on Thanksgiving ) why can't you make that same concessions back and save the nut loaf for a day without sentimental value for us sinners that like eating dead birds.
Kthanksbye

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Philly!

Or A Kate and Alex Magical Mystery Tour

So this past weekend I went on an Epic adventure to Philadelphia to visit my dear friend Kate. And I would be remiss to exclude from this blag all of the exciting food adventures we went on in the process.

So first some food:
Reading Terminal Market:


after taking a brief trip on a tour bus (you know...scope the place out) we stopped at Reading Terminal Market for some grub:
the delicious pic you see here was our final choices which could be summed up as a pregnant women special: Philly cheese with hot pepper (never had it that way...really good), Veggie Crepe, Pickles, and for dessert I had a cupcake from the Flying Monkey (you'll be proud of me not walking up to the bake case and pointing to my cupcake and say "I'll get you my pretty"...it was hard because this is my favorite movie people) and Ms. Kate had a mint Brownie (that was soooo pretty)


Max Brenner:

So this place is a virtual heaven for menstruating Ladies and their man-child Other Half's (or menstruating other half's)
Virtually every other thing on the menu has chocolate on it. It is used as liberally as EVOO in an Olive Garden. (Note: all mention of EVOO herein and forthwith shall not be considered a Rachael Ray reference but merely a manifestation of one Blog writers Carpel Tunnel and corresponding desire to not have to type out Extra-virgin Olive Oil every time she wants to mention it) This place is beyond belief. In fact, we decided that if the restaurant was staffed by the cast of 300 in costume, then we were not actually in a restaurant but rather floating around in one of Kate's Dreams.


For actual meal portion of this trip, I had a Turkey Burger, and Kate had a Panini. Both were fabulous. Though for me the best part of this meal (yes better then dessert even) was the fries. They were waffle fries, dusted with chili and cocoa powder and served with a spicy aioli. I was in fry heaven.

Dessert was also a thing to behold. Kate got a Sunday that was bigger then her head. I got a salted caramel "concoction" that came in a jar, on a note book paper plate, and with a beaker of white chocolate. And it was really good, though 5 stars for presentation.

Another note about Max Brenner is that they have the cutest mugs. I got the Mexican Hot chocolate after learning they could make it with soy (hurray) and got it in a "Hug Mug". It was cute and inspired you to "hug" your drink...HOWEVER....I, as a devote to the culinary arts have developed near asbestos hands as a result of constant heat exposure, but Ms. Kate said it was a little hard to pick up. Also, while the design is cute and new and adorable and the concept is brilliant, at some point mid beverage I realized that what I was drinking out of also looked a bit like a urinal. This was an issue for me. I did however end up investing in an "Alice Mug" ...soooo cute

Capogiro Gelato Artisans:

We also made a quick pit-stop at Capogiro's and enjoyed a delicious cup of gelato. I got the Chocolate Hazelnut and the dolche de Lece...both were fabulous!!


Tria


So Kate took me to Tria on my last day and I'm glad she did because I would have gone there for every meal otherwise. It was AMAZING!!! I totally had multiple-foodgasms; it changed my life...soooo good. We had a slew of goodies including the goat cheese with truffle and honey, Olive Oil and Rosemerry Potato chips, and Artichoke sandwich to name a few....I am in love!




Another Important aspect of this trip:

Drinking

We did a lot of it.
Among our libation pit-stops was Swanky Bubbles, where Kate and I enjoyed champagne, and champagne cocktails until we were sloshed at 8pm and wandered home in our inebriated state to watch "Twilight" (I know). PS. trying to adjust the white-balance on a VCR while drunk is an interesting challenge

Also, the next day we watched the sequel "New Moon", enjoyed some AK47s and invented an interesting drinking game to go with it:
Take a drink when:
Jacob looks like he is going to cry
Edward says something that is supposed to be sweet but is actually really creepy (ie. I like sneaking in your room at night to watch you sleep)
When ever the characters say something that is clearly about sex and abstinence (ie: yes Bella I will make you into a Vampire but I want to get married first)

AK47:
Take a shot (I leave this actual quantity to your specifications) and add to glass of iced peach tea and ice. drink. goes well with teeny-bopper movies with pasty stars

Then we ventured out to Rum Bar, then a Speak easy, then finally ending up back at swankys

ouch

All in all, the trip was a lot of fun, and catching up with Kate of course was the most important thing. I can't wait to go back!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Spice of Life

Martha Is The New Seacrest Edition

This was inspired by two things.
1. I got to see Joel McHale this weekend at the Oakdale in Wallingford...Hilarious, and since we all know his feelings about Ryan Seacrest it seemed appropriate
2. to mention that Martha may be taking over the world via media just like a certain pint-sized American Idol host

Hallmark has officially become The Martha Stewart Chanel....needless to say if I had time I would check out Mad Hungry simply because I love Martha's whole home cooking empire and would not pass up a chance to see a show staring Martha Stewart Living's Food Editor. However, I have no free time and certainly not 9 hours worth to watch all of Martha's new programing. However, I will always make it a point to watch her Date Night segments because they are fabulous. [Warning: that last link is a video so do not open during class/work/funerals/and ironically date night]

This is the coolest thing ever...me wants to go!!
It is an exhibit at the Modern Museum of Art called Counter Space; Design and The Modern Kitchen. which "explores the twentieth-century transformation of the kitchen and highlights MoMA’s recent acquisition of an unusually complete example of the iconic “Frankfurt Kitchen,” designed in 1926–27 by the architect Grete Schütte-Lihotzky". The MOMA site also notes that "kitchens have continued to articulate, and at times actively challenge, our relationship to the food we eat, popular attitudes toward the domestic role of women, family life, consumerism, and even political ideology". I think this is pretty much the coolest thing ever [expect much more blog space dedicated to post-modern feminism and definitions of femininity as a result of Kitchen design because my mind is racing with ideas about this]

Also in this vain:
Here is an interesting article to go along with this, between self-titled, non cook, Roberta Smith, who reviewed the show for the Times and Pete Wells. I thought it brought up some really interesting ideas concerning feminist issues and consumer issues concerning the kitchen and its general trend in design. Also here is Ms. Smiths aforementioned review.

Random aside; I love Donald Glover. Enjoyed the "bro-rape" video, Enjoy his character Troy on Community, his stand-up is pretty funny, but I may have a new appreciation for him that is so ridiculous I debated posting it (and then I figured anyone that reads after hearing me do things like discuss the legal history of Fish Chowder or compare a bitter melon to a alien sex-toy is probably not that judgmental)
I am very jealous of his food photography. BEAUTIFUL!!!

I would love for my pictures to look that good, not ignoring the fact that this is a lofty goal for a blogger who has neglected to post a great deal of her food pictures with their corresponding blog because she has been to lazy. But a girl can dream

Apparently the way I cut my steak can ques people in to the fact that I'm American [that is if my accent and love of ketchup didn't clue you in] ps. the Ketchup comment was a loving nod to "foot-in-mouth" contestant Micah on season 3, who during the "Family Favorites" challenge, made a comment about Americans loving ketchup on everything, insulting Ted Allen. She then explained in her defense that it was like saying Indians like putting Chutney on everything, insulting Padma....Hilarious!!! {sadly no clip was available so your on your own on this one)

and three things from Epicurious to enjoy
1. "outside the box" Halloween candy. (the family is too cute)
2. Death Match between our favorite Halloween Candy
3. and an article about cooking with Bling on