Wednesday's Kitchen

I an attempt to post more often I'm going to try themed days of the week. I've seen it work quite well on other blogs, so why not give it a try? And if it fails miserably, ah well, I'll just try something else!

So Wednesdays I bring you "Wednesday's Kitchen" where I'll share with you what I've cooked that day (or that week, if I happen to not eat at home etc..)

This week I tried out a recipe I found stumbling around epicurious.com.

Beef, Shiitake, and Snow Pea Stir-Fry



I served it on top of some Jasmine rice, basically because I love it so much.

There were so many great flavours in this dish! I've never used hoisin or five spice before but I really enjoyed the taste. The fresh ginger, cilantro, onions and chili-garlic sauce really punched you in the mouth with some serious flavour! I do think if I were to make it again (make that WHEN I make it again) I'll add some fresh minced garlic, but that's just because I am a garlic-a-holic.

It had some great texture contrast as well between the tender meat and shiitake to the crunchy snow peas and green onions.

Best of all, the dish was seriously easy and really quick! Perfect for a work night I say.

52 photos in 52 weeks: Week Three

The theme for this week's photo was EVENING.



Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for me it is always dinner. Breakfast and Lunch during the week are always hastily cobbled together meals that have to be eaten equally as fast before heading back to work, but dinner I can finally sit down and take the time to enjoy what I'm eating.

Also, I LOVE cooking.
Last night I tried out two recipes from Nigella Lawson. Lamb with Rosemary and Port along with Festive Couscous (follow the links for the recipes!). My sous-chef (aka dad) steamed some asperagus and I whipped up a zippy lemon mayo to go on them (so easy- 4 tbsp mayo and add the juice of 1 lemon. DONE).

I've never cooked lamb OR couscous before and I am happy to report the meal was a delicious success! (and since I didn't notice that the couscous recipe serves EIGHT, I'll have some delicious lunches this week too!)

Learn more about the 52 photos in 52 weeks project on Monika or Lisa's blogs!
Or check out the flickr group for everyone's photos!

52 photos in 52 weeks: Week Two

I did a bit of research on the definition of being independent in order to get some inspiration for this week's 52 photos in 52 weeks theme.

In the end, I thought a self portrait would be most suitable!


in·de·pend·ent

   /ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/

Spelled [in-di-pen-duhnt]

–adjective



1. not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself

2. not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free

3. not influenced by the thought or action of others

4. not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.

...

11. expressive of a spirit of independence; self-confident; unconstrained: a free and independent citizen.

Learn more about the 52 photos in 52 weeks project on Monika or Lisa's blogs!
Or check out the flickr group for everyone's photos!

52 photos in 52 weeks: Week One

I discovered this project through my mom, who sent me an email with a link to Monika Wright's blog. She saw a post explaining the challenge and thought that I would be interested in taking part - she was right.

The concept (stolen lovingly from Monika's blog) is:

the synopsis

Join two girls and their cameras as they embark on a journey of discovery. With one girl in Sweden and the other girl in Tennessee, they will learn more about each other through their interpretation of weekly photographic challenges.

the invite
Won’t you join us as we learn more about ourselves, and each other, through our 1 year/52 week/52 photo challenge?

Why yes I WILL join you! A new challenge is posted every Thursday, which is also the day to share your photo from the previous week's prompt.

The first week's challenge was to take a photo on January 1st 2011 at exactly 8:11pm (also known as *gasp* 20:11!)

How awesome is this clock? It looks just like a gorgeous old clock, but in reality it houses my tiny English butler, Jeeves, who wakes me up each morning with a "good morning, Madam" and then cooks me a lovely English breakfast before rushing upstairs to iron my clothes ... okay so that's not *entirely* true. But the clock DOES wake me up every morning with the voice of the amazing Stephen Fry, always starting with a "good morning, Madam" followed by one of over 120 different and equally amusing phrases such as, "The world has been very anxious to hear from you for the last eight hours. Shall I inform the news agencies you're about to rise, Madam?" and "It is time to face the day. Shall I cancel your appointments and book a hotel for a month in Seychelles? Very good Madam."
There really isn't a better way to wake up, except of course to find breakfast ready and my clothes ironed...
(There is also a "Good morning, Sir" version for any men who need a Jeeves in their life.)

Learn more about the 52 photos in 52 weeks project on Monika or Lisa's blogs!
Or check out the flickr group for everyone's photos!

Weekend Wishlist: Shiny New Year

2010 is SO yesterday (or two days ago)! I can hardly believe it, but it's time to jump into 2011 with both feet and celebrate this shiny, happy new year.

Shiny

janinebasil, junkprints, Glittermortis


fairladyfashions, emeraldangel

New

carltonjlee, RobotsAreAwesome, eebits


Craftsquatch, molecularmuse

Year

naomiorana, ChelseaVictoria, moonandlion


TheGinghamOwl, decology

2010 RoundUp: Most Listened Music

According to last.fm my top 10 most listened to artists of 2010 were:
10. Alan Cumming
09. Flight of the Conchords
08. Marina and the Diamonds
07. Gossip
06. Stornoway
05. Freddie Mercury
04. The Cure
03. Example
02. Mumford & Sons
01. Queen

And my most listened to track of the year was:
The Cave by Mumford & Sons

2010 RoundUp: The 70 New-to-Me Flicks of 2010

JANUARY
An Education
Waiting for Guffman
Clerks II

FEBRUARY
Capitalism: A Love Story
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Confetti
Dig!
Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers
Lipstick & Dynamite, Piss & Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling
Deeper Than Y
The Outsider
Women in Boxes
We Are Wizards
Towncraft
Shutter Island
Red Without Blue
Monster Camp
Hell On Wheels

MARCH
Creation
Some Like It Hot
Twilight: New Moon
The Princess and the Frog
She's Out of My League
How to Train Your Dragon

APRIL
Cooking with Stella
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Secret of Kells
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
KickAss

MAY
The Last Station
All About Eve

JUNE
Get Him To The Greek

JULY
The Last Airbender
Hated: G.G. Allin and the Murder Junkies
Jackass 2.5
Twilight: Eclipse
Couples Retreat

AUGUST
Matchstick Men
Dinner for Schmucks
Toy Story 3
Cop Out
Gentlemen Broncos
Role Models
Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Vampires Suck

SEPTEMBER
Canadian Bacon
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Real Time
Youth in Revolt
Hot Tub Time Machine
Suck

OCTOBER
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Paper Heart
Ghost World
Foot Fist Way
Män som hatar kvinnor
Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story [By Those Who Know Him Best]
In the Loop
Run Ronnie Run
The Man Who Fell to Earth
Cemetery Junction
Survival of the Dead
MacGruber
Hawking
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

NOVEMBER
Jackass 3D

DECEMBER
Roman Holiday

2010 RoundUp: Favourite Movies.

Another year, another attempt to watch 100 movies I have never seen before, another fail- though I am pretty pleased with the result. I did much better than last year , and I blame my shortfall on my rehearsal and performance schedule when I was in the musical CHICAGO. Ah well, perhaps 2011 will be the magic year for me.

My 10 favourite movies that I saw this year (in no particular order):
Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Ghost World (2001)
Jackass 3D (2010)
Confetti (2006)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
The Secret of Kells (2009)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)

And my 10 least favourite:
Couples Retreat (2009)
Foot Fist Way (2006)
Deeper Than Y (2006)
Shutter Island (2010)
Twilight: New Moon (2009)
Cooking with Stella (2009)
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Vampires Suck (2010)
Run Ronnie Run (2002)
Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers (1980)

Really, I had unreasonably high hopes for a documentary all about garlic...