Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Frostings

Food, is one of the greatest love of my life. Whether eating it or cooking it, food never gets out of style for me. Also, food has never been a source of my worries as a cause of weight gain and sickness. My travel and photography adventures would never be complete without any gastronomic explorations as well.

Last week, a close friend and I went to SM Mall of Asia. As I wasn't able to catch up on my dessert at Tempura (blog entry on that will be posted soon), I gave in to the temptation of trying a cupcake from 'Frostings'. I have this huge fixation over cupcakes; I think they are pretty to look at and scrumptious to eat. One of my wishes is to have an oven of my own so I could whip up and make my own creations.

Here's a wee bit sample of the cupcake I've had from Frostings. They are definitely delicious, I'll be back there for more!



You can visit Frostings at the following locations:


Market! Market!
2F,Bonifacio Global City,


Taguig City
Landmark Trinoma


Ground Floor, Supermarket
Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City


Trinoma Mall
3rd Floor Edsa cor. North Avenue,
Bagong Pag asa, Quezon City


Shangri-La, Rustans
3rd Floor, Children's Division
Mandaluyong City


Landmark Makati, Ayala Center
Lower G/F Food Center, Market Place
Makati City


Glorietta 4, Ayala Center
3rd Floor, Food Choices
Makati City

Mall of Asia Complex
Ground Floor near Ice Skating rink
Pasay City




Or visit them online at:


http://www.frostingscupcakes.com.ph
http://frostingscupcakes.multiply.com

Culinary Journal: My Very Own Fried Rice

I've been experimenting on recipes for fried rice every now and then. Last time I checked, I was inspired to create this one based on a cooking show I saw on TV. It's quite simple, easy to prepare and the ingredients are cheap. What I like about fried rice are the endless possibilities with making it. You can mixed and toss veggies, meat and spices and it will turn out fine, but of course if the cooking is done right it would turn out delicious.

I love creating and trying out new recipes for myself but I'm more excited when I have to prepare something for my friends and family. This one, I would give it a go when my best friend visits me one of these days. As I have successfully done this recipe thrice I am now confident to try to cook something more adventurous such as Paella and Gumbo in the near future.


Fried Rice Surprise


- Rice
- Spam Classic (luncheon meat)
- Carrot
- Cucumber
- Canned Tuna (San Marino or Century Tuna)
- Spaghetti Sauce - Italian Style
- Butter
- Aji Ginisa
- Salt (to taste)

1. Sliced your Spam Classic, Carrot and Cucumber into small bits.

2. Fried your carrot using butter. Add luncheon meat, rice, Aji ginisa, cucumber and tuna. Mixed them all together, then add your spaghetti Sauce.
      Note: The original recipe was without cucumber, but I've added it on the ingredient list because I think it would remove the stench of the fish. Instead of tomato sauce I have used the spaghetti sauce for its playful flavor. 


3. Add some salt for finishing touches.






Sunday, October 16, 2011

Saturday Stuff

Went on hauling at SM Sta Rosa, courtesy of a cousin who went here in the Philippines for a 4 day visit from Guam. With his treat, I've bought myself two new flip flops from Banana Peel and Toeberries, black comfy flats, gel pen, mini-notebook, camera pouch and 2 cute-tees (haven't posted them here, though). What a nice day to buy some things without breaking the budget



Hash Brown


Makati is a gastronomic metropolis. But being on a budget mode nowadays Mickey D's is the best quick fix. Though I no longer eat their beef burgers I'm still super crazy for their fried fries, hot fudge, chicken McNuggets, breakfast meals...and hash brown. After getting my pay last Friday I went to Mickey D's Ayala Avenue and bought myself a hash brown (Php 25). Usually, I like pairing this up with a cup of hot chocolate from 7/11, but since I need to  teach myself the act of frugality...this one will do. Hash brown is perfect dressed up with Heinz ketchup (cos I think it taste weird without one).


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Premium Donut

Recently, Dunkin Donuts Philippines released a high-end line of donuts to their selected stores that could compete to the growing stalls and expanding fan based of Krispy Kreme.

Introducing: Premium Donut!

There are six varieties to choose from, Sansrival, Milky Bliss, Choco Nirvana, Dark Crunch, Chococcino, and Chunky Choconut , which I've picked up last Thursday from a Dunkin Donut branch in Makati. Each donut cost 45 pesos, not bad with its rich and thick filling and all. Mouthwatering and scrumptious I will be looking forward to try all the varieties in the next coming days to follow.

Sophisticated packaging. You get a box of this for a donut. 
My fave so far. I've had two already, for the record.


Film Roundup: September to early October 2011


Truly, I am excited to post this film roundup. Some titles were included on my list of 2011 must see films (that of course is not posted here, if you've chance to wonder where the hell it was). Films such as 'Drive' by Nicolas Winding Refn and Trier's "Melancholia" that in my definite opinion, has grabbed the top slot for this year's best film,while Soderbergh's "Contagion" did not live up exactly to my expectations. With that being said here are my ratings:

TRUST
United States |2010
DIR David Schwimmer
Rating: A-

A SINGLE MAN
United States | 2009
DIR Tom Ford
Rating: A

BRIDESMAIDS
United States | 2011
DIR Paul Feig
Rating: A

BARNEY'S VERSION
Canada | 2010
DIR Richard J. Lewis
Rating: A-

ME AND ORSON WELLES
United Kingdom | 2008
DIR Richard Linklater
Rating: A-

SERPICO
United States | 1973
DIR Sidney Lumet
Rating: B+

CONTAGION
United States | 2011
DIR Steven Soderbergh
Rating: B+



LA HAINE
France | 1995
DIR Mathieu Kassovitz
Rating: A+



DRIVE
United States | 2011
DIR Nicolas Winding Refn
Rating: A

HALF NELSON
United States | 2006
DIR Ryan Fleck
Rating: A-

BEAUTIFUL BOY
United States | 2010
DIR Shawn Ku
Rating: A-

MELANCHOLIA
Denmark | 2011
DIR Lars von Trier
Rating: A+

NETWORK
United States | 1976
DIR Sidney Lumet
Rating: A+
Bon Appétit
Switzerland, Spain, Germany | 2010
DIR David Pinillos
Rating: B+

Monday, October 10, 2011

Movie Marathon: British Films (1)

(Originally posted on September 21st, 14:48)


For quite some time I have been planning to do a movie marathon that only consists of present day British films. When I say present day that means from year 1990 onwards. With my growing collection of DVD and my special fondness for the English accent - the titles of Brit films in my very own cinema library seems to have increased in number this past year. I have become accustomed - like a family - to British actors, film directors and writers, that in some way, their works have become a constant inspiration in my life through and through.

Last Saturday, being my rest day and all, I've pushed through with my own Brit film fest in our living room and have selected these 6 fine films for the whole date. I have yet to include other titles, but with the luxury of time ain't on my side - I have come to the conclusion that I'll be making 'series 2' next time, as there are so many films to see, but so little time. 

MADE IN DAGENHAM (2010)
Directed by Nigel Cole
Screenplay by William Ivory
My Rating A-
AN EDUCATION (2009)
Directed by Lone Scherfig
Screenplay by Nick Hornby
My Rating A
SUBMARINE (2010)
Directed by Richard Ayoade
Screenplay by Richard Ayoade
My Rating A-
BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY (2001)
Directed by Sharon Maguire
Screenplay Andrew Davies & Richard Curtis
Based on the novel by Helen Fielding
My Rating A-
ANOTHER YEAR (2010)
Directed by Mike Leigh
Screenplay by Mike Leigh
My Rating A
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
Directed by Richard Curtis
Written by Richard Curtis
My Rating B+

Movie Marathon: Based on the Novels by Women Writers

(Originally posted on September 20th, 12:09) 


During one of my spur-of-the moment mood for a movie marathon, I have rummaged on my closet for some films that were adapted from the novels written by women writers from the pre-feminist period, such as as Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Edith Wharton and Frances Hodgson Burnett. These women - have struggled to have their books published. They fought hard for their equal space in a world - mainly dominated by men and they  paved the way for the future generation of women writers we know now. With all of my heart and gratitude - I salute them! 
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993)
Rating: A-
Based on the novel by Edith Wharton
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by Jay Cocks and Martin Scorsese
LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
Rating: A-
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by Gillian Armstrong
Screenplay by Robin Swicord
A LITTLE PRINCESS (1995)
Rating: A
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Screenplay by Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005)
Rating: A+
Based on the novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Joe Wright
Screenplay by Deborah Moggach
JANE EYRE (2011)
Rating: A
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
Directed by Cary Fukunaga
Screenplay by Moira Buffini

Film Round Up for July - Sep 2011

(Originally posted on September 10th, 16:48)


Today, I was supposed to watch Soderbergh's latest film "Contagion", but due to the shortage of moolah in my pocket I have decided to be more practical and just go home and watch DVDs. Besides, I have a line up of British films to catch for my movie marathon and also there is the first season/episode of "The Killing" which I am pretty excited to watch for a few days now - especially that  Mad Men will not be back on the tube not until next year. So yes, I am home bound for my rest day. Plus, I have loads of assignments to do for my blog such as backlogs of film reviews and ratings I have failed to post. I am so behind schedule that if I don't do these task now I will board myself again on the express train of idleness without any accomplishments.

Moving on, these films have made it to my movie-watching days from July to early September of 2011 and I have graded them as follows:



INSIDIOUS
United States
Director: James Wan, Leigh Whannell
Year: 2011
B+
Genre: Horror
Run Time: 102 minutes
Writer: Leigh Whannell
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
United States
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Year: 2011
B+
Genre: Action, Adventure and Drama
Run Time: 132 minutes
Writer: Matthew Vaughn, Zack Stentz, Ashley Miller, Jane Goldman
HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2
United Kingdom, United States
Director: David Yates
Year: 2011
A
Genre: Family
Run Time: 130 minutes
Writer: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling
HESHER
United States
Director: Spencer Susser
Year: 2010
B
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 100 minutes
Writer: Brian Charles Frank, David Michôd, Spencer Susser
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
United States
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Year: 2011
B+
Genre: Science Fiction
Writer: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
United States, Spain
Director: Woody Allen
Year: 2011
A-
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 94 minutes
Writer: Woody Allen
JOHN CARPENTER'S THE WARD
United States
Director: John Carpenter
Year: 2010
C+
Genre: Horror
Run Time: 88 minutes
Writer: Michael Rasmussen, Shawn Rasmussen
SCREAM 4
United States
Director: Wes Craven
Year: 2011
B
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Run Time: 103 minutes
Writer: Kevin Williamson
TEMPTATION ISLAND
Philippines
Director: Chris Martinez
Year: 2011
C+
Genre: Comedy
Writer: Chris Martinez
FINAL DESTINATION 5
United States
Director: Steven Quale
Year: 2011
B
Genre: Horror
Run Time: 95 minutes
Writer: Eric Heisserer, Jeffrey Reddick
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
United States
Director: Joe Johnston
Year: 2011
B+
Genre: Action and Adventure
Run Time: 124 minutes
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
KUNG FU PANDA 2
United States
Director: Jennifer Yuh
Year: 2011
A-
Genre: Family and Comedy
Run Time: 90 minutes
Writer: Jonathan Haagensen, Glenn Berger
SUPER 8
United States
Director: J.J. Abrams
Year: 2011
C+
Genre: Action and Adventure
Run Time: 112 minutes
Writer: J.J. Abrams
HORRIBLE BOSSES
United States
Director: Seth Gordon
Year: 2011
B+
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 100 minutes
Writer: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
BAD TEACHER
United States
Director: Jake Kasdan
Year: 2011
B-
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 92 minutes
Writer: Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
United States
Director: Will Gluck
Year: 2011
B
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 108 minutes
Writer: Keith Merryman, David A. Newman, Will Gluck, Harley Peyton
THE CHANGE-UP
United States
Director: David Dobkin
Year: 2011
C
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 113 minutes
Writer: Jon Lucas , Scott Moore
BELLE DE JOUR
France, Italy
Director: Luis Buñuel
Year: 2011
A+
Run Time: 101 minutes
Writer: Luis Buñuel, Jean-Claude Carrière, Joseph Kessel
FRIGHT NIGHT
United States, United Kingdom
Director: Craig Gillespie
Year: 2011
B
Genre: Thriller
Run Time: 101 minutes
Writer: Marti Noxon, Tom Holland
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
United States
Director: Rob Marshall
Year: 2011
B
Genre: Adventure
Run Time: 141 minutes
Writer: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
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