Well.... I'm still reeling from seeing the Twilight movie! Myself, and 4 other Edward-obsessed ladies went to see it last night. As I sat in the front of the theater surrounded by gasping teenagers I couldn't help but be swept away myself. I have to admit, I went into it with semi-low expectations. I enjoyed the books, but by no means did I think them the pinnacle of modern literature (I found the constant melodramatics, and gushing teeny-romance just a tad gratuitous and ick.)
...However, knowing that they indeed were written with love-sick teens in mind, the books do their job and they don't disappoint.
But, I digress... We're talking about the film here. Anyway, as I said, I went in not expecting much....
BUT I LOVED IT!!!
I thought that the choice of actors was perfect. The scenery was perfect. The dialogue was just enough (nowhere near as tiresome as the way she gushes on and on and on in the book.) It actually had genuinely funny parts, genuinely passionate parts, tender parts, and gruesome parts. The soundtrack was even spot on!... Iron and Wine, Radiohead, Paramour, Mutemath, Muse, and a band I don't know but loved called The Black Ghosts. The whole movie had a dark, moody, tortured, romantic vibe. It won't be winning any Academy Awards or anyting...But,I thought it was everything it should be and
I LOVED IT!
Even as I sat watching, I thought to myself..."Who couldn't like this movie?.." Well, the truth came out as we left the theater... the opinions were definitely split down the middle. Three of us loved it, while the other two... not so much.
To each their own, as they say.
But as for me, I can't wait to see it again.
.....................................................................................................................................................
Today, I spent preparing for a visit from my much-loved, and rarely-seen cousin Trey. He and his wife Alison came up from Bama with their three adorable girls (a fourth on the way, too!)... and had a great dinner with us. I ended up making a chili recipe that was OUTOFTHISWORLDGOOD!
I know that chili is supposed to me "man-food", but it's always been one of my favorite things, especially on a cold fall evening.
If you agree... definitely try this recipe!!!
(Be forewarned: it does have a few surprise ingredients that some may find questionable... you just have to trust me on this!)
ANCHO BEEF CHILI
1 Quart Beef Stock
4 Ancho chilies (dried poblano peppers), seeded
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 red onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup raisins, roughly chopped (SURPRISE)
1 T. cumin
2 t. ground coriander
1 t. ground cinnamon(SURPRISE)
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1 ripe avocado
1 cup sour cream
zest and juice of one lime
shredded pepper jack cheese
toast or tortilla chips for dipping!
................................................................................................................................................. Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with the beef stock and ancho chilies (DON'T FORGET to take the seeds out of the chilies first, and cut of the stems!) Bring the liquid to a bubble then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until chilies have softened. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and -- very carefully, this mixture is very hot! -- puree it until smooth. Reserve.
While the chilies are simmering, place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the sirloin and cook until golden brown, 6-7 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, raisins and spices to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the veggies are tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook until deep golden brown and aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the blended stock-chile mixture to the pot and bring the liquids up to a bubble.
While that's working, in a food processor combine the cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime zest and juice. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth.
Refrigerate.
.................................................................................................................................................... Ladle up a big bowl and top with some of the avacado cream, pepper jack and a few tortilla chips.
It honestly, was oohed and aahed over. Some even said it was the best chili they ever had! YAY!
It was a fun but tiring day.
......................................................................................................................
And, now, me and my pooped out man are going to settle down and relax together for the first time all day.
WHEW!
Happy Weekend, Lovies!
But, I digress... We're talking about the film here. Anyway, as I said, I went in not expecting much....
BUT I LOVED IT!!!
I thought that the choice of actors was perfect. The scenery was perfect. The dialogue was just enough (nowhere near as tiresome as the way she gushes on and on and on in the book.) It actually had genuinely funny parts, genuinely passionate parts, tender parts, and gruesome parts. The soundtrack was even spot on!... Iron and Wine, Radiohead, Paramour, Mutemath, Muse, and a band I don't know but loved called The Black Ghosts. The whole movie had a dark, moody, tortured, romantic vibe. It won't be winning any Academy Awards or anyting...But,I thought it was everything it should be and
I LOVED IT!
Even as I sat watching, I thought to myself..."Who couldn't like this movie?.." Well, the truth came out as we left the theater... the opinions were definitely split down the middle. Three of us loved it, while the other two... not so much.
To each their own, as they say.
But as for me, I can't wait to see it again.
.....................................................................................................................................................
Today, I spent preparing for a visit from my much-loved, and rarely-seen cousin Trey. He and his wife Alison came up from Bama with their three adorable girls (a fourth on the way, too!)... and had a great dinner with us. I ended up making a chili recipe that was OUTOFTHISWORLDGOOD!
I know that chili is supposed to me "man-food", but it's always been one of my favorite things, especially on a cold fall evening.
If you agree... definitely try this recipe!!!
(Be forewarned: it does have a few surprise ingredients that some may find questionable... you just have to trust me on this!)
ANCHO BEEF CHILI
1 Quart Beef Stock
4 Ancho chilies (dried poblano peppers), seeded
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 red onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup raisins, roughly chopped (SURPRISE)
1 T. cumin
2 t. ground coriander
1 t. ground cinnamon(SURPRISE)
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1 ripe avocado
1 cup sour cream
zest and juice of one lime
shredded pepper jack cheese
toast or tortilla chips for dipping!
................................................................................................................................................. Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with the beef stock and ancho chilies (DON'T FORGET to take the seeds out of the chilies first, and cut of the stems!) Bring the liquid to a bubble then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until chilies have softened. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and -- very carefully, this mixture is very hot! -- puree it until smooth. Reserve.
While the chilies are simmering, place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the sirloin and cook until golden brown, 6-7 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, raisins and spices to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the veggies are tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook until deep golden brown and aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the blended stock-chile mixture to the pot and bring the liquids up to a bubble.
While that's working, in a food processor combine the cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime zest and juice. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth.
Refrigerate.
.................................................................................................................................................... Ladle up a big bowl and top with some of the avacado cream, pepper jack and a few tortilla chips.
It honestly, was oohed and aahed over. Some even said it was the best chili they ever had! YAY!
It was a fun but tiring day.
......................................................................................................................
And, now, me and my pooped out man are going to settle down and relax together for the first time all day.
WHEW!
Happy Weekend, Lovies!
2 comments:
¿Tiene los chiles secados de ancho?
Hahah! I just stumbled across your blog today and am laughing so hard because that sounds just like my Midnight Twilight experience last Thursday! (and I definitely loved it!)
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