My Extracurricular Films for the Month of March

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Throughout each month, in addition to my Chopstick Cinema selection, I watch lots of other films. This month:

Silk - I had high hopes for this film, the tale of Huerve Joncour, a married French silk merchant who goes on an arduous trek to Japan seeking silkworm eggs for Baron Baldabiou, the silk mill owner. While there, he is entranced by the mistress of a powerful samurai. Upon his return to France, he attempts to resume his daily life on a country estate where he and his wife Helene try in vain to conceive a child. While the silk mill prospers, Huerve is haunted by the memory of the woman he left behind in Japan. Based on a novel by Alessandro Barrico, Silk stars Michael Pitt, Alfred Molina and Keira Knightly. And while cinematography is spectacular, it's not enough to sustain a lackluster story. The film had such potential, yet so many elements were missing. Narration by Michael Pitt is flat and dispassionate; not a single bolt of the silk produced by the French mill is shown; Huerve made the daunting 6,000 mile journey from France to Japan not once but three times, without incident or injury; and not one but two grand love affairs are carried out without a spark of passion. In what seems to be an attempt at the restraint and subtlety of Japanese literature and cinema, Silk falls far short of the mark.

Seven Girlfriends - After his ex dies in a car accident on her way to her wedding, Tim Daly goes on a pilgrimage that traverses the entire western U.S. in search of all his old girlfriends in an attempt to find out what went wrong and why he can't make relationships work. The female cast features some of the most classy and beautiful actresses in Holywood, and Tim Daly gives a sincere performance as a man who truly wants to change. A nice light little romantic comedy.

Absolute Power - I don’t know how this film got past my radar, but I managed to catch it on a Saturday afternoon and had it on in the background while I was doing publication layout. Clint Eastwood plays an aging jewel thief who witnesses a high-profile murder while committing a burglary. The compromising nature of the crime sets a pack of Secret Service agents on his tail, forcing him to resort to some very clever tactics to save his own hide. Excellent suspense and clever plotting.

Sueno - This low-budget indie film features John Leguazamo as a Mexican immigrant seeking fame and fortune as a musician in Los Angeles. With the help of a few angels along the way, he puts together a band to compete in a big Latino music competition with a $10,000 payoff. Not the best work Leguazamo's ever done, but a nice little story nonetheless.

Dreamland - Audrey and her BFF Calista (aka Cindi) are stuck in a hole-in-the-road New Mexico trailer park called Dreamland. Audrey is taking care of her down-and-out father who suffers from agoraphobia, while Calista is slowly dying of MS. One day is pretty much the same as the next until Mookie arrives with his hip-but-funky parents for a little stopover on their way to enroll Mookie in UNLV on a basketball scholarship. Both girls are drawn to Mookie, but the altruistic Audrey graciously steps aside to allow a dying girl one last fling. A chick flick to the max, but better than most.

Enchanted - This tween-age chick flick is part fairy tale, part love story. Amy Adams stars as Gizelle, a fairy tale princess who is banished to the mortal world by Susan Sarandon, her evil mother-in-law-to-be. She arrives through a manhole in New York City, where she is rescued by McDreamy Patrick Dempsy, a single father who is about to be engaged to Idina Menzel. With her unflagging belief in true love, Princess Gizelle sprinkles her saccharine fairy-dust on everyone she meets, as her prince desperately searches the city streets for his bride. Cute, predictable, and very juvenile.

Last Exit - This Canadian made-for-TV movie was surprisingly well done. One of our local stations airs a lot of Canadian programs on Saturdays, and I often keep it on in the background while I multi-task around the house. Beth and Diana, two working mothers, are both having a very bad day. In her rush to get to work for an important corporate presentation, Diana cuts Beth off in traffic, causing her to miss her exit, making her late for her job as a legal secretary. This seemingly insignificant incident sets off a chain reaction, and things go from bad to worse for both women as the day wears on.

Once - This Oscar-winning film focuses on a lovelorn Irish balladeer who aspires to a recording career in London. While busking on the streets of Dublin, he meets an attractive young Czech woman who peddles magazines and roses around the same neighborhood. As their friendship develops, they discover that they also share a certain musical harmony, he on guitar, she on piano. Before long, they've cobbled together a band of street musicians and rented a recording studio to cut a CD. This film is subtle in its humor and virtually free of drama and conflict, except for the unrequited love.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

01:27 AM PST Permalink |

Chez Celeste!

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

All this month, my kitchen has felt like a busy restaurant on a Saturday night. I'd barely get a load of dishes put away from the dishwasher before it was time to get them all out again to use on another recipe. Since the beginning of March, I have made 20 different dishes, including Deep Fried Lumpia, Salmon Kinnilaw, Pancit, Shrimp Escabeche, Pork Adobo, Crème Caramel, Spinach and Wild Mushroom Salad, Deluxe Seafood Salad, Sushi Salad, A Tortellini Salad, Golden Waldorf Salad, Salmon & Cucumber Finger Sandwiches, Bibb and Watercress Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Lobster Bisque, Crème Brulee, Chicken Vindaloo, Lamb and Couscous Pilav, Mexican Carnitas with Corn Tortillas, Italian Bruschetta with Mozzarella and Antipasto, and Taiwanese Hot & Sour Noodle Soup.

And believe it or not, I haven't gained a pound!

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

01:08 PM PST Permalink |

And One More...

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Every month, I create several menus for a magazine in Macon, Georgia. This month, there were three: A ladies elegant lunch, an array of creative salads, and an article on stocking an impromptu pantry, which features some international dishes, including Indian Chicken Vindaloo, Middle Eastern Lamb Pilav, Mexican Carnitas, Italian Bruschetta, and Taiwanese Hot & Sour Noodle Soup.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

02:52 PM PST Permalink |

And Another...

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Every month, I create several menus for a magazine in Macon, Georgia. This month, there were THREE separate articles. A ladies elegant lunch, an article on stocking an impromptu pantry, and an array of creative salads, which includes a variation on the wild mushroom dish I prepared for my Raffles Hotel menu, a deluxe seafood salad, a sushi salad, a tortellini salad, and a golden waldorf salad. Needless to say, I've dined quite lavishly this week.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

10:38 AM PST Permalink |

An Extracurricular Food Project

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Every month, I create several menus for a magazine in Macon, Georgia. It's always creative and fun, and a welcome alternative to a steady diet of Asian food. This time, it's an elegant ladies' lunch featuring Salmon & Cucumber Finger Sandwiches, a Bibb and Watercress Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Lobster Bisque, and Crème Brulee.

To subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:38 PM PST Permalink |

Crème Caramel

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

This is a variation of a dessert that I made for an earlier Philippine menu. Only last time, I made it with coconut milk, this time I made it with evaporated milk. Both were delicious.

The recipe starts with a simple sugar caramelization that becomes the golden layer on top. And the rest of the dish is a simple custard of eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla. Once it's ladled into the custard cups, they go into a water bath in the oven for about 40 minutes. Easy and elegant.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:35 PM PST Permalink |

Pork Adobo

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Adobo is such an easy and satisfying dish. And since it's slow-braised, for this adaptation, you can use most any cut of pork. Believe it or not, I used pork neck bones. They are such an economical cut with so much flavor, and there's always plenty of meat on 'dem bones. The heart of this dish is the vinegar, which not only helps tenderize the meat, but adds a slight tartness that balances the fat content. And there's lots of garlic in the recipe, plus a little soy sauce for depth. Served over rice, Pork Adobo makes a very hearty and satisfying meal.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:24 PM PST Permalink |

Shrimp Escabeche

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

This was a fantastic variation on the fish version of escabeche. The sweetly piquant escabeche sauce is the perfect complement to the delicate flavor of the shrimp. The last time I made escabeche, I prepared the sauce separately and served it over a whole baked fish. This time, I prepared the sauce, pan grilled the shrimp, and combined the two on the plate. Definitely one for the permanent recipe file.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:14 PM PST Permalink |

Pancit Noodles

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

With the addition of peppery Portuguese-style linguica, this noodle dish is a really zesty variation of the more common chicken and seafood version. The spicy sausage added extra flavor and substance to an otherwise light noodle dish.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:04 PM PST Permalink |

Salmon Kinnilaw

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

This is a variation on a tasty recipe I used for my first Philippine menu a couple of years ago. The first time, I used a firm white fish (orange roughy, I think) and the marinade/dressing called for coconut cream. This time, I used salmon, added avocado, and omitted the coconut cream. So it's raw salmon with avocado and mango in a lime and rice vinegar marinade, seasoned with ginger and jalapenos, a light and lively start to a tropical meal.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:02 PM PST Permalink |

Deep Fried Lumpia

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

In nearly four years of creating dishes for Chopstick Cinema, this is one of the tastiest little appetizers I have ever made. I already had a batch of leftover crepes in the freezer that I'd been saving for just that purpose, so all I had to do was stir-fry the filling, and assemble and deep-fry the lumpia. The filling is a combination of garlic, onions, grated carrot, shredded cabbage, and bits of cooked chicken, flavored with oyster sauce and patis. I made only a small batch of a half-dozen, and they were so delicious that I was tempted to eat them all myself without saving any for my son Will to taste. But being the sweet mom that I am, I resisted the urge and saved the last two for him.

The recipe will be posted at the end of the month along with my 'Magnifico' film review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:01 PM PST Permalink |

Spotlight on Spice: Chorizo

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Although the Philippines are part Southeast Asia, their culture and cuisine were strongly influenced by Portuguese traders during the Colonial Period. Therefore, Philippine food contains both Asian and Iberian elements. One such ingredient is chorizo, a spicy pork sausage often used in Philippine dishes.

Chorizo comes in many styles and forms, and the Philippines even have their own distinct adaptation of chorizo. Some chorizo is finely ground and heavily spiced bulk sausage, which comes in a non-edible casing. Other forms of chorizo are hard-cured, smoked sausages similar to salami and pepperoni. The bulk type must be cooked, however, the cured style may be sliced and eaten as is. The spice contained in both types comes from dried, smoked red peppers.

Portuguese chorizo (chouriço) is made with pork, fat, wine, paprika and salt, extruded into an edible casing, which is then smoked and dried. Another peppery Portuguese sausage called linguica is similar to Italian pepperoni.

The Philippine variety of chorizo is called longaniza, which maybe made from pork, chicken, beef, or even tuna, and is flavored with regional spices. In the region of Lucban, chorizo is heavily flavored with garlic. Guagua-style chorizo is very salty, and the variety of Philippine chorizo known as longganisang hamonado is sweet and smoky.

For my 'Magnifico' Philippine Pancit noodles, I will be substituting Portuguese-style linguica, since that's the closest I can come to the hard-cured variety of Portuguese chorizo in our local markets.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:06 PM PST Permalink |

Shopping for My "Magnifico" Philippine Menu

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Shopping for my 'Magnifico' Philippine menu required several stops. One for the basics, one for the Asian ingredients, and another for the sushi-grade salmon to make the Kinnilaw. The basic list included eggs, flour, sugar, cooking oil, vermicelli noodles, evaporated milk, ginger, garlic, bell pepper, carrots, scallions, onion, cabbage, limes, chicken, pork, shrimp, and linguica. And for Asian specialty ingredients, chili garlic paste, sesame oil, coconut milk, soy sauce, patis, and rice vinegar.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:59 AM PST Permalink |

Faith and Begorra! 'Tis St. Patrick's Day!

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

I've got a goodly measure of Irish blood flowing through my veins, and although I don't really celebrate the occasion anymore, growing up a good Catholic girl in a school with Irish nuns, it was always a big day for us as children. We were allowed to forego our blue-and-white pin-striped school uniforms for the "wearin' of the green," and there was always a classroom party with green cupcakes and lime Kool-Aid. And heaven knows, in all my years tending bar, I've served enough green beer to float a yacht! But there will be no green brew in my household today. I'll be in the kitchen most of the day making Philippine food instead.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:01 AM PST Permalink |

Sources for Philippine Ingredients

This Month's Film: Magnifico
Cuisine: Philippine

Most cities of significant size will have either a Filipino market, or an Asian market that carries products from the Philippines. The nearby city of Vallejo CA, just a few miles down the road from where I live, there is a fairly large Filipino community, so for me, ingredients to make Philippine cuisine are easy to come by. However, if you live in an area where there isn't a local source for Philippine ingredients, you can order them online at Pilpinomart.com.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

11:25 PM PST Permalink |