Cinema Sentinel: Movies I'm Going to Watch

I don't want to say anymore but let you see these trailers for themselves. But one thing, CAN MERYL STREEP WIN AN OSCAR NOW?! Okay, I'm done. Happy Friday!

The Iron Lady

(via YouTube aaspri)

War Horse

(via YouTube VISO Trailers)

The Hobbit

(via YouTube ColliderVideos)

What to Expect When You're Expecting

(via YouTube VoltzTrailerz)
One reaction: LOL

Almond Poppy Seed Cake

Happy New Year 2012!! It's been a long time since I've been on blog and a lot of life has happened since then. My husband and I experienced joy, anticipation, grief and now healing. But all is well as we look forward to the future with hope and love. I am wishing the same for you and your life!

Well, I wanted to start off the new year's blog with a favorite recipe of my mother's: Almond Poppy Seed Cake. She left her recipe in Thailand so we searched the web for the closest recipe according to her recollection.

I found this recipe on Cooks.com and I made specific changes e.g. instead of just butter, I recommend using unsalted butter. As for buttermilk you can make your own by using 1 cup of whole milk and two teaspoons of vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes or more before use. My Almond Extract, Cinnamon and Poppy Seeds are all from Penzeys Spices. The quality is wonderful and potent. Even my mother noticed a difference. Enjoy this recipe and visit Cooks.com for more recipes that don't have pictures but they are tried and true delish!

Almond Poppy Seed Cake
Recipe adapted from Cooks.com

1 teaspoon Almond Extract
1 cup Buttermilk
1 1/2 cup Sugar
2 1/2 cup Sifted Flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 cup Poppy Seeds
1 cup Unsalted Butter
4 Eggs, separated
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 cup Sugar (Additional)

• Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt cake pan. 
• Make cinnamon sugar; combine cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside.
• Combine almond extract, poppy seeds and buttermilk; set aside.
• Combine sifted flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. 
• Cream butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Add 4 egg yolks. Beat until creamy.
• Add alternately, flour mixture and buttermilk mixture into creamed butter/sugar bowl. Mix well.
• Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Then gently fold in egg whites into cake mixture bowl. 
• Pour 1/2 the batter into a well greased and floured bundt cake pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar mixture. 
• Pour the rest of the batter into the pan and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar mixture on top. You can add more sugar and cinnamon if you prefer. (My mom added a bit more). 
• Bake 40-60 minutes. I found out our cake was done when I could smell the almond throughout the kitchen and living room! Not the best way to find out but it worked. As always, you know your oven best.

You can glaze this with a lemon rum glaze or go the extra mile, like my sister, by spreading whipped pink frosting and enjoying the holiday calories to the max. Happy Thursday to you!

My sister's take on glaze. :) Awesome!

A New Show I Like to Watch

I like watching people cook and this love started with me watching my mother cook great asian meals and in the afternoons watching Julia Childs before my nap. Today, I like watching all things food even when I've been stuffed to the gills. I will watch everything from Bizarre Foods, all things Food Network, Anthony Bourdain's The Layover, public tv cooking shows and now I have also added to my viewing pleasure David Rocco's Dolce Vita show from the Cooking Channel.

What I like most about David's show is how he truly incorporates his culture into each episode, whether it is speaking in his native tongue, featuring his Italian friends/family with their recipes or best of all making everyday Italian food look and sound delicious and easy to make. It also doesn't hurt that David has a soothing instructional voice. With each episode I get more and more excited about visiting Italy some day. Maybe take a culinary tour?

Well, I found this video on YouTube of David making Potato Croquets. Yesterday I watched an episode where he was in the Amalfi coast and he made some meatballs, Polpette Di Peppe, and a very regional old world pasta called Dunderi. Both recipes looked easy to make and probably tastes amazing.

Buongiorno!

For more information on David Rocco's Dolce Vita.



(YouTube via Dysan8003)

Cinema Sentinel: Waste Land (2010)

Want to watch a film that actually makes sense and is worth the time watching?

I would like to recommend the documentary film, Waste Land. This is truly an inspirational film that documents Brazilian artist Vik Muniz's journey as an artist and as another human being making a lasting impact on others through his craft.

It is an uplifting film and makes you really think about your own impact in this world and what you can do to make it better for another person or persons. I was lucky enough to have this in Instant Play on my Netflix. I'm not usually impressed with the selection of Instant Play movies but when it comes to documentaries, Netflix is quite impressive.

For more on Waste Land.
For more on Vik Muniz.

Hope you had a great day!

How I Could Enjoy Eggnog

My husband LOVES eggnog. It is the one thing he will make a trip to the grocery store for during the holidays. (Back story...going to the grocery store for him isn't his idea of a good time. However for me, I love grocery stores and outdoor markets.)

Anyway, I've had normal eggnog, soy milk eggnog and Southern Comfort Eggnog. Meh. Not really impressed.

But with this recipe, George Washington's Eggnog recipe, I do believe this might be the nog for me. This recipe is via AssociatedPress's YouTube Channel with Chef Lauren Braun Costello (The Competent Cook), owner of Gotham Caterers in New York City.

I watched the video and read some good feedback. Can't wait to try it. Hope you enjoy the video. Merry Monday to you!



(via AssociatedPress)

Traditional Butter Cookies

This recipe today comes from the kitchen of Michelle Gesse via Penzey's Spices' December catalogue. If you don't know what Penzey's Spices is, well it's time you get acquainted with this company and their goods. I've known of them for YEARS, since my days in the midwest.

When I read stories of merchants bringing spices from exotic lands, I imagine being in such a market whenever I visit a Penzey's store. If you haven't been to a Penzey's store, I urge you to make a trip. You will not be disappointed. If the cashier offers you to join their mailing for a catalogue, say yes. Every catalogue features a cook, their passion for food and what recipes they have to share.

I'm so glad I made this recipe for my christmas cookies this year. It will certainly become one of our family favorites. It has the sweetness of a sugar cookie but with a buttery finish and melt-in-your mouth texture. It tastes more exquisite I think than a regular sugar cookie.

The ingredients used are half the quantity of the original recipe. There is also a bit of flavoring I added as a personal preference. Hope you enjoy it!

Traditional Butter Cookies
Recipe and instructions adapted from Michelle Gesse via Penzey's Spices. Yields approx 2 dozen.

1 cup  Salted Butter (softened)
1 cup  Powdered Sugar
2 Egg yolks
1 teaspoon  Vanilla extract (Madagascar vanilla used)
1/4 teaspoon  Orange flavor extract
2 1/2 cup  Sifted Flour
Wax paper
Cooling racks

• Cream butter until light and fluffy.
• Add powdered sugar and mix well. 
• Add egg yolks, on at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add vanilla and orange extracts, mix well.
• Add flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. 
• Divide dough and pat into discs, wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Work with one disc at a time. Lay wax paper and place dough on paper, lay another layer of wax paper on top of dough. Roll out dough to desired thickness and have fun with creating cookie shapes.

Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on your oven. Or bake until lightly golden. Carefully remove cookie and let cool on racks. Decorate cookies with a glaze when warm or let cool completely and have fun!

For more Penzey's Spices.

Fun Christmas Videos

Happy Thursday! I can't believe it but I'm so excited that it's December already. Have you found the perfect gifts for your loved ones? Or are you just going to deliver a lumps of coal this season? Either way, while you are doing all that, hope you enjoy these videos that might get you in the mood, naughty or nice.



(via MuppetsStudio)



(via SesameStreet)

Not a seasonal song, however, I can't help but admire his spirit. Cute kid.



(via brandonator10)

*I removed two videos today (12/02) because they were not playing due to WMG rights. But I posted
The Grinch Song and 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!!!