When Chocolate Met Raspberry

Name the movie I took my post title from and I’ll make you cupcakes.***

Classic flavor combination: chocolate & raspberry. Who doesn’t love that? Um, if you don’t, then just go away. JUST KIDDING! I know, it ain’t for everybody. But for peeps like my friend Glenda, those flavors rock her world. So guess what cute little Glenda got for her birthday? YOU GOT IT! A 24 karat diamond ring. NOT!

She got something even better: Chocolate cupcakes filled with Raspberry preserves and topped with a Raspberry American Buttercream. FROM ME! Simple as pie. And just as delicious. Delicious like Buttermilk pie. I love Buttermilk pie. Maybe I should make some. And why am I talking about Buttermilk pie in a Chocolate & Raspberry cupcakes post?

“How Meryl Streep Nailed Her” by Sarah Moulton

Sarah Moulton had what I believe was one of the best jobs ever – to be Julia Child’s assistant. Read Sarah’s thoughts on “Julie & Julia.”

How Meryl Streep Nailed Her – Page 1 – The Daily Beast

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Caramel Cupcakes w/Brown Sugar Frosting

SUGAR SWEET SWEETNESS!!!! Holy Sucrose is the frosting on these sweet! But they’re pretty good and flavorful as well. I made these inspired by the recipe from the Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook so I can’t print it here, much less take credit for this as an original idea. But hey. Who cares. It’s CUPCAKE TIME!

♫ Look at me, I’m Sandra Lee ♫

There are two awesome ladies over at SALAD & CANDY who I enjoy reading very much. They recently posted a video which caused me to have to pause the video midway to RUN to the bathroom and pee. (I know, I know. TMI. But true story.)

In related pee-inducing-laughter-news, Anthony Bourdain posted a hilarious account of what he titled  “A drive by shooting” telling us about his recent encounter with Sandra Lee, someone he has, let’s just say, spoken “about” in the past.

Without further ado it is now officially Cocktail time!

Extra & totally off-topic: What inspired this posts’ subject/title header? It’s from a movie. I love movies! An oldie, but classic. Who doesn’t love an oldie? Yet it’s not so old it was in color. Any ideas? Guesses?

Okay… here it is… AFTER the jump…

What about other beans & peas?

So I asked myself, why is it that I’ve only really seen Chickpeas roasted or fried? Why not Black beans? Red Kidney beans? Pigeon peas? Is there a reason it’s usually just Chickpeas?

Well, what better way than to experiment yourself. Stay tuned!

Roasted Chickpeas

I love Chickpeas. Yes I do! I like them fried best! The first time I recall eating fried chickpeas was when our friend Chef Alex Raij of Txikito made them for us. Deep fried I believe, then tossed with what I guess was salt, smoky paprika and a dash of heaven? (Never denied I wasn’t corny). Alex’s Chickpeas were perfectly GBD: golden, brown, and delicious!

At home I don’t fry them. I do them the second best possible way to eat Chickpeas: roasted in the oven. Or is the second best way to eat Chickpeas in Hummus Form? Hmmm… Okay. Tied for second best way to eat Chickpeas: oven roasted!

The Origins of the Cooking Show

From the NY Times Magazine – and in spirit of the revival of all things Julia Child (she’s always been alive with me…not just now with Julie & Julia) – is a fun and informative:

Timeline – The Origins of the Cooking Show – Interactive Feature – NYTimes.com.

¡Buen provecho!

Vaca Frita @ moncheoPR

Hola peeps!

Just wrote a quick post on Vaca Frita @ Plaza Las Americas on:

www.moncheoPR.com

¡Buen provecho!

Michael Pollan Inspires Me

I may not agree with every single point of his. I even tend to believe things aren’t as bad with the state of how we eat. Regardless, I can read Michael Pollan’s FOREVER.

First time I read him was when my old employer, Chipotle, gave us Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” Nice gift, I know. Here is what I just read in the NY Times that motivated me to share it with whoever reads me. Yes, the 5 of you who read me, I thank thee. I recommend his books.

Click here to read: “Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch” by Michael Pollen as posted in the NY Times. Enjoy!

Food, Inc.

Can’t wait until this movie comes to Puerto Rico so I can FINALLY watch it.

More on my thoughts on it after I watch it. Meanwhile, do yourself a favor and go read:

1. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
2. The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan