Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2016

Behind the Scenes at Stephen Colbert, Making Blackened Cajun Mahi-Mahi, and More

Hi, everyone! I hope you have been enjoying Martin Luther King, Jr Day.  I'm loving this quote from Dr. King: "The time is always right to do what is right".  Today's King Day rally in South Carolina was the first at the Dome in 17 years without the presence of the Confederate flag. Pretty sweet.

It has been a while since I wrote a week recap post, so I just wanted to catch up a bit with you guys!

The highlights of the week were auditioning for a new AMC show and going to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Olivia Munn had an original fan club way back when she did Attack of the Show, and they were a great bunch that welcomed me.  Since then, I have been to several events she arranged for her fans to join. I wrote a post on a past movie premiere of "I Don't Know How She Does It" (in which I had a scene with Olivia, but my head got cut off. Frame-wise. Not literally). 

Anyway, she invited some of us to Stephen Colbert.  A double whammy! I love love love both of them.  And I had been to The Colbert Report before, but this was going to be my first time at his new show and at the Ed Sullivan Theater!

Me looking uber fashionable here. I was actually wearing different shoes and wardrobe earlier, but it was freezing outside! As ugly as UGGs are, they are so warm!





We weren't allowed to take photos inside the actual studio area, but here is a pic right outside of it. It was a holding area to inform us about the rules and expectations. We had VIP tix, but we seemed to have general seating.  I believe the perk was no waiting outside in the long line; you just showed up at a certain time and got escorted inside. I appreciated that! Like I said, it was cold. 

First of all, the studio is beautiful. Gorgeous! 

To give you an idea...someone else's photo of inside.
image via nytimes.com

You can currently watch the episode of the Late Show here.  But below are some things that happened that won't be shown on the episode.

Some comedian named Peter came out to "warm up" the crowd. Omg. He was kind of out of control.  He asked a husband and wife duo to come up to the front.  When he found out it was the wife's birthday, he immediately asked her how old she was.  Offended, she looked at him and said, "Really?!" When she gave in and told her she was 67, he seemed genuinely impressed and requested that she take her top off. She was not amused. The next couple of seconds were dedicated to complimenting her amazing "pillows". Yay.  He then asked a black woman to come up to "add color to the stage".  Wow. She was this deadpan hilarious woman, and Peter even had to tell her to let him do his job. 

Peter noticed a guy with the "most fabulous hair". He asked for a name, and the owner of said fabulous hair had Lau as a last name. Peter then went "Of course" and waved his hand over his own face as in "Yes, your Asian face".  Oh, and then Peter added that Mr. Lau looked like a crackhead. 

So basically, I was sinking down in my seat and praying that I would not be Peter's next victim. I guess it's like when you're a possible target at a standup show. 

The show's band made of Jon Batiste and Stay Human warmed us up, too.  The tambourine guys got a little too rock and roll and smashed their instruments on the ground. Pieces flew everywhere. You should have seen the stagehands' faces with their hands out like DUDE, WTF. They had to clean up the mess before the actual taping.

Then the Almighty Colbert came out to answer a couple of audience questions. The first question asked was "Why do you only wear one suit?" This totally cracked him up.  If you watch the show, you will see him emphasize his "many suits".  If you hear us laughing really hard, then you know why. Colbert is brilliant. 

During Olivia's interview, I don't think the part where Colbert texted her mom was rehearsed!

I don't want to spoil it, but there is a part of the show that involves egg yolk. I don't think Colbert was ready for that. When the segment was done, wardrobe was furiously trying to scrub all of it out.

Before Colbert filmed his introduction of Father John Misty, he told the lead singer that he looked like a cult leader. Telling it like it is!
image via guardian.com

Stephen Colbert is PERFECT. Well nearly.  For the few times he messed up (seriously like 3), they went back and filmed him saying that word or phrase.  Just those few seconds.  It was neat to see!

I would definitely go back again to watch the live show. The experience was very entertaining and NOT drawn out.  I'm just going to wait for the weather to warm up before waiting in line!

*****

One of my goals this year is to cook something new once a week.

The challenge was Paleo Blackened Cajun Mahi-Mahi with grilled asparagus. <----recipes linked

Making my rub!


The frozen Mahi-Mahi from Costco has been great for dinner these days!  I added lemon to the fish and stuck it back in the refrigerator to marinate while I cooked the asparagus.




My mistake: Trying to cover up the entire surface area with a thick layer of the rub.  You can imagine how BOLD the flavor was.




Thank God we had rice.  It helped balance out the super flavorful fish.  A light layer of rub next time, and it will be A++++!


*****

I'll end this post with some yumminess from The Melt Shop.

Their shop tots are delightful!  Beautiful crispy tater tots sprinkled with parmesan goodness.  Just get ready for the fragrance of stinky gym socks. Mmmmm.


image via mrclements.com


The grilled chicken, Muenster, tomatoes, and truffle mayo on multigrain toast. THE MAYO, guys! It was magical.  It is not a light meal, my friends. But when you're in the mood to indulge, come here.
PS. Grab lots of napkins. Your fingers will be covered in buttery residue.


xo,

Erica


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

My Multiple Attempts at Parchment-Baked Fish

I found this awesome recipe from Chrissy Teigen's blog "So Delushious" for fish en papillote-that's fancy French for "in parchment packet".  I was super excited because my husband is very into healthy fish dishes.  Even though he's Italian, he prefers not to have pasta for dinner (Yes, I find this disturbing).

It is SO freaking easy. And I'll prove it to you with my take on the original recipe.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Recipe for the Juice Generation PB Acai Bowl

I FINALLY tried one of those acai bowls that I saw popping up all over fitness articles and Instagram (apparently a popular breakfast choice for fashion bloggers).

I headed over to Juice Generation, which was the place that fueled my luxury $8 peanut butter blueberry smoothie habit.  At those prices, my trips to Juice Generation lasted a week. 

After scanning the menu, I was torn between the PB Acai Bowl and the Aloha Acai Bowl.  The PB includes acai, banana, omega-3 peanut butter, strawberries, cacao nibs (tiny chocolate chunks), almond milk, and hemp granola.  The Aloha ingredients are acai, banana, almond milk, strawberries, pineapple, bee pollen, and hemp granola.

I went with the PB Acai Bowl, and OHHH YEAAAH, was it good! And really cute.  





Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Weekend in Pittsburgh

The big event down in Pittsburgh was Uncle Dick's 95th birthday! 

First full day in Pittsburgh. Woke up to two little fawns playing in the backyard. I could only get a pic of one of them.



Some of the family went to The Strip , some chilled out and prepped for the party at home, and we went kayaking in North Park.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Creme Brulee!

During one of our lunch dates, this little Italian place my husband and I like for their brick-oven pizza ran out of creme brulee. I do love me some creme brulee, but no big deal, right?

Well, I guess it motivated my husband to try making it at home. He surprised me that evening with what I thought was a tasty rendition of the classic French dessert.  As Larry David would say: 
image via tumblr
Actually, it was REALLY good.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Sandwiches Are Underrated

My friend Robie and I met up today to rehearse a scene.  We had just finished a Flywheel class together, and I was starving.  However, I was really craving some Chicken McNuggets...but they weren't serving lunch just yet.  So I wanted to time it just right.  Rehearsal and THEN McDonald's. Awww, yeah!

But when we got to Robie's apartment, the ever consummate host made me a brilliant sandwich!

Such simple ingredients coming together for an exciting palate party:  Turkey breast, sprouts, egg, chili flakes, Mediterranean feta, and honey mustard. 


Monday, October 13, 2014

Nut Butter Chia Cookies

I had a bag of chia seeds from Trader Joe's but really struggled with how I should eat them. I used to stick them in almond milk overnight, where they would get bloated and gelatinous.  I love boba balls so I can hang, but when you got a million of those things soaking up 9-12 times its weight in almond milk...it's a little overwhelming.

So when I found this book Chia: The Complete Guide to the Ultimate Superfood which includes all these easy recipes, I was pretty jazzed! (I've never used "jazzed" before in my life; my husband says it all the time.)



My FIRST crack at making some delicious chia treats was the Nut Butter Chia Cookies. They are sweet, yet packed with protein and fiber. I'm a very inexperienced baker (you'll see), but they came out freaking fantastic! So YOU can make them, too.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Cooking Korean Japchae (Stir-Fried Noodles with Beef and Veggies)


I used this fantastic, easy-to-follow video (with the cutest Korean lady) to make my Japchae.



The video and recipe can be found here.

I actually omitted the white onions since it gives my husband gas. (haha)  I then added 3 jalapenos (we like things SPICY) and about 7 Korean long green peppers (but I suggest only 2-3).  I stir-fried the peppers like all the other vegetables.  I found that the amounts of sesame oil and soy sauce suggested resulted in Japchae that was too bland for me. So I added a LOT more.  You should definitely add to your taste.

Prep Work


My husband had four helpings of the dish. I call that a success!  (Although now he's knocked out on the living room floor from what I imagine is the starch. Or maybe just plain food coma?  He did go H.A.M. on that Japchae!)
This circumference of this bowl is probably comparable to that of a hubcap.  That's a lot of food.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

My Attempt at Making Curry Chicken

I'm a terrible cook.  I take that back. I am a very inexperienced cook.  However, it's been a goal of mine to learn some simple recipes.  And since I love curry, I decided that it would be one of my first missions.
Look how excited I am about handling chicken.  Doesn't this meat have more risks from undercooking?  Salmonella and all?  Perhaps I should have started with beef.

Right after this photo, I was revved up to go. Then I realized that I didn't have a peeler for the potatoes...or curry powder.  So back to the grocery store for me.  *insert sad trumpet noise here

When I finally had all of my ingredients, it was time for the prep work.  I wanted to make it a more veggie heavy curry for my husband.  Unlike his Del Taco-obsessed wife, he likes to maintain a healthy diet.


Just the beginning: Ain't that beautiful?

Friday, August 24, 2012

An Easy Meal!

I'm a lazy chef.  I can't say that I'm a horrible cook because I honestly don't try too hard.

It's the thought of buying all the groceries, mixing all the ingredients, and the COOKING part.

So here's an easy recipe!



Plain yogurt is the BEST.  You can throw in honey, fruits, oatmeal, granola, pretty much whatever you want!