Saturday, 4 April 2009

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN


I really enjoyed this little Swedish film. The title of the film (as well as the novel upon which it was based) refers to the Morrissey song "Let the Right One Slip In". I think it is coming out soon in cinemas in the UK, but it is already out on DVD in the US. It has received international praise and won awards. The film is adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist's bestselling book. It defies classification; it is both sweet and horrifying. While watching the tender relationship between Oskar and Eli, you can forget that she is a cold-blooded vampire. However, the scenes of violence are filmed without embellishments and can be quite repulsive. The young vampire feeds and kills with the coldness of a hunting animal.
This is a refreshing and different film that has nothing to do with the latest Hollywood's disgraceful vampire-portrayals of the likes of "Twilight" (don't get me started). Dark and heart-warming at the same time, this is a little gem that cannot be missed. Well done to director Tomas Alfredson and to the young actors that brought Oskar and Eli to life.
Be prepared for an American re-make... cringe, cringe :(

Sunday, 15 March 2009

SPRING IS HERE AGAIN :)



きょうわいいてんきですね!
So I decided to go for a walk towards Muswell Hill after my Japanese class.
Muffin, smoked salmon and poached eggs for lunch.

Yesterday I made low-fat brownies with a recipe I found on the new issue of Good Food Magazine. Instead of using butter and eggs I used light mayonnaise! They came out surprisingly well. You cannot taste the mayonnaise at all and the consistency is nice and moist. Not that brownies could ever be truly low-fat, but at least this version has much less saturated fats than the traditional one :)

On my way to Muswell Hill I stopped at the Alexandra Palace Farmers Market. Very good selection of food. I bought some soda bread and some fresh mackerel for dinner. I can't wait!
I really liked the fishmonger's stall where I bought the mackerel from. They gutted and headed the fish for me. They also had very fresh sardines... I want to go back next week to get some, so that I can prepare them the Sicilian way!

FEBRUARY CATCH-UP!

Long time, no post... I've been so busy :'(
Here is a quick summary of the past few weeks.
February has seen the debut of the very talented baking duo "Happy Canteen".
Here is their spread at "Cabbages & Frocks" Saturday Market.


Next to Tommy and Alison's there is a very nice sausages and traditional pies stall "Brockeby's". I recommend their world's first Organic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie! Hand-made using local ingredients. Very tasty.

Tommy gave me a lot of carrots and a giant parsnip!!! What shall I do with it?

Soba with parsnip broth and my not-so-traditional version of kimpira gobo.

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

THE LAST FEW DAYS...

Tonight's dinner... okonomiyaki, onigiri and miso soup.

Fondant fancies! They looked so nice :)

Spinach Käse Spätzle with bacon and crispy fried onions.
Guitar heroes?!

I made 108 gyoza... this was the last batch... watashi wa gyoza no machine desu...

Golden Ox outside the Imperial China.

Red lanterns...

Monday, 2 February 2009

FUN IN ALEXANDRA PALACE

In spite of the weather, I ventured out in search of a slope to sleigh and to take "my own" pictures. I walked up to Alexandra Palace.


I bought some heavy-duty gardening refuse bags!

I envied all the kids...


Who needs the Alps?!