Back from Slacking

It's been so long since I've had a new post that I almost forgot how to do it.

But lucky for you readers, I didn't.

It's been nearly 2 months since the last post...this is not atypical as I've done this before. Usually, the reason was because I was too busy or had nothing to post. But I have been out and about doing things, but I could not get myself to blog or even take pictures of what I have been up to. Sheer laziness this time.

So since February I've obviously baked and cooked. I have even travelled!

I tried out a new banana bread recipe using nearly black bananas. Because I have just recently read on numerous blogs and sites that bananas ripened until they are black is the secret to moist banana bread. The recipe I tried the first time around didn't quite measure up to expectations. It was moist, but I'm not sure if it was because it was supposed to be that way or if it was underbaked. Attempt 2 will take place this week and results will be documented.

But last night was a success story! My first time using my deep fryer to make Spicy Fried Chicken. I think it turned out pretty well.

Bonus pictures!

Today's lunch - Cracked peppercorn turkey sandwich with Lars spicy brown mustard (soooo good), swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers on a Brooklyn Bread bagel. Lately, I can only imagine eating sandwiches from fresh baked breads/bagels...so I got some fresh bagels from the neighborhood.

And look how beautiful Turkey is!

News Cred!

My photos have been published and credited. Link for my first formal picture publication.
Thank you, Melissa.
Check out the well-written article and the awesome Cafe 81 (81 East 7th street between 1st avenue and 2nd avenue) as well.




*Edit: Shot of the article added. Thanks to the Photoshop Nazis for suggesting that addition and for teaching me to piece the entire article together into one shot.

Cake Galore!

Pictures of Anatole's caramel birthday cake. The chocolate glaze clumped, so I had to do without the glaze. Maybe on the next cake it will work out.





Failed Chocolate Glaze. I tried to fix the glaze, but it was too late. The oils and sugars separated from the chocolate. At least I had the strawberries! Something about strawberries and cake - it's always a winning combination.

Tomorrow morning I am going to try to make a carrot cake for a special baby. Chocolate is his favorite, but he loves all cake, so I thought I would make it semi-healthy by baking a carrot cake. lol. I hope to get shots of him with frosting all over his face! lol.

Cake on a Special Day

Happy Birthday, Anatole!
Today is a special day, so I am making cake and then we are going to eat it! mmmm.
I'm trying out this awesome Caramel Cake with Caramel Frosting and Chocolate Glaze recipe. I may forego the extra layers on account of me being a bit lazy. Nah, the real reason is because I cracked the cake a bit when I flipped it out of the pan so it is quite fragile. I mixed pastry flour with the all purpose flour because I wanted to see if this would make the cake moister, which might be why it was so delicate. In the past I have made cakes that I felt could be better if they were more moist. I would consider this cake a winner if it was moist and tasted delicious, despite having less layers. The birthday boy would never know that I skimped out on the extra layers anyway.
Pics to come soon.

P.S. It is also my sister's birthday. But I bought her a cake. Hey, don't judge me. It's her husbands job to bake her the cake. Maybe next year I will bake two. So Happy Birthday to two very important people in my life.

For the Foodies

I know I previously hadn't written too much about food, but if you know me, you know that I love, love, love food.
The 3rd Annual Village Voice Choice Eats of 2010 has been announced. Read more here.
Sounds so tempting, but I hate fighting for my food. (Believe me, there will be mobs and food struggles at this event.) I believe everyone should eat and eat well without having to push any little kids down to ensure you get your share.

And now, some food porn. Definitely spent more time shooting the cookies. I couldn't help it. I was hungry by the time the chicken and vegetables were cooking.
Beware, I like to shoot food up close and in your face. I love how everything looks so bright, like I had all morning to cook.

Nestle Toll House Recipe (Simple and satisfying.)
2 sticks of softened unsalted butter smashed.

Mix in Brown Sugar and Sugar mix.

Add Vanilla and Mix. Then add eggs.

Once eggs have been mixed well into the batter, gradually add the flour. Mix until flour is completely mixed in and add the chocolate chips. (I used the whole bag. yummo!)

Ready for the cookie sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes.





I started running out of baking sheets for all those cookies, so I decided to make one giant cookie and a few mini ones on the side. Epic fail, but the cookies still tasted good. Looks kind of like a turtle though.

(Tip: Do NOT use butter to line the baking sheets like you normally would for cakes or bread. The butter burns the bottom of the cookies. I learned that the hard way. Use parchment paper of just slap the dough directly onto the pan.)

Dinner was a typical Chicken with Diced Tomatoes since we were going to try to catch a movie. (Percy Jackson, the Lightning Thief if you were wondering. We didn't make it to the movie, but decided to take a walk in the cold.)
Basically we add the chicken to fry on the pan until cooked 3/4 of the way and then add diced tomatoes and seasoned to taste. Let the tomatoes simmer and cook down into a nice sauce.
Tonight is was paired with sauteed zucchini, snow peas and carrots. Seasoned with salt and pepper.






Loving my new shots using my SB-600. I don't know why I never thought to use it indoors to shoot food. Thanks, White on Rice Couple for that helpful tip.

Hungry Much?

Friday, January 22nd was my last day of work. It's been two weeks now.
And I am not ashamed to say that I have been sleeping 10 hours a day and enjoying the time.
This is not as easy as it seems, folks!
Being the self-imposed workaholic that I was, it's quite a bit for me to just sit down.
I still haven't really been able to do that.

What I have been doing a lot is thinking about food.
Must be the lack of mental stimulation, but since I'm just watching some TV or surfing the internet, I find myself being hungry all the time. Then I look for recipes and think of new things I want to make. I'm always thinking about what I can eat next now a days.

This could be the start of an eating addiction, but hopefully the start of some epiphanies about what I want to do next.

Some food porn. Right now, they're pretty dark but I'm researching some tutorials on how to fake good daylight in the kitchen. Cause food looks even more glorious when its all bright. Wait for those to come soon.

Nut up or Shut up

Title is from Zombieland. Surprisingly one of the better movies of 2009.
I've been MIA for a while. I've been meaning to do a lot of things but not doing it. (I know, my usual MO.)
With the craziness of the holidays and work, I haven't been able to do a 2009 recap or wish everyone a Happy New Year yet. So, Happy New Year, Everyone!

2009 Highlights:








A fresh start is coming for me in 2 weeks. Lots to do.
Hello 2010!

Paper Ship Armada at Arlene's Grocery

Check them out! They were awesome last night.
Their first show in NYC. I bet there are many more to come.

New Beginning

I am picking up 2 lenses that I have rented tonight or tomorrow. 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f2. I will have these puppies for a week and a half. I will be carrying the charger eveywhere so that I can snap away. I really need an 8gb memory card now. :)
Hopefully, I fall madly in love with one of these guys, because the rental guy at Adoroma said the kit lense is not even worth fixing. What does this mean? It means the lense broke because it is made out of crappy plastic. The real good stuff have metal bodies which make them more durable. So there you go, the 18-55mm lense I have now is my new paperweight.

Today is the first day of October. I want to celebrate the end of September because it was a very trying month for me in many ways. I had a rough start this morning, but I'm hoping the September kinks are still making their way out and October will kick September's butt in so many ways.

Cool Stuff. Fun with Photography.

Baby is broke

It's official. My 18-55mm lense is currently hurt. On Saturday, I took the camera out thinking that it was bruised, but not broken. After a few zoom ins and zoom outs and the lense seemed like it was getting tighter and tighter. Then I was longer able to zoom in or out. I took the lens off of the camera base and there was a piece just floating around all loose. My heart broke.
If it cannot be fixed, I'll have to get a new one. Luckily the 18-55mm is not one of the outrageously expensive lenses.
I felt withdrawal because I didn't have any cameras around and my fingers were itching to click away.

Sadness and Desire

Sad News - I bumped my Camera at the Kiddie Park while playing with my friend's bebe, Aiden. :*(
The lens gets stuck when zooming. I'm not quite sure how this will affect the picture and focus yet.
Thinking about the repair bill(s) make me sad.
Thinking about my shrinking bank account makes me sad too.

AND I saw this that I want badly too.

Here is the side by side comparison of the Polaroid and the Instax Mini. The Instax 200 Below has the same longer shape than Polaroids, but slightly larger.

Here is the bigger, cheaper alternative. It may be considered since it does the same thing but doesn't look quite as sleek.

Hoping to take some pictures soon.

Speaking of Pictures, here are some from my sister's engagement par-tay.
This is the celebratory roast pig which is presented to my parents by my sister's husband-to-be.

Chop, chop.

Hacked up.

Ready to distribute to family members. (See all the take-out boxes?) Looks gross, but it was pretty delicious.

*Edit: The sweet baby's name is Aiden. I aim to please my followers! ;)

Also, there is now a side by side comparison of the pictures from Polaroid (which is discontinued now and to get film would be ridiculously expensive) and the Instax Mini.