Here there and everywhere!

 

Hello B+B Fans!!! Long time no see!!! I know, I know....way too long to be away. Suffice to say I'm still around...that is if you haven't been following me on twitter or facebook. But I have been busy with life and I'm here briefly to share some cool stuff with you. As many of you know I make movies, so I'm pleased to announce my latest short film Doppelganger. Below you'll find the teaser trailer for your viewing pleasure. It's my latest in a line of projects.

It's about the story of a man who awakens in a surreal room. Unaware of how he got there, he realizes that he is not alone. In order to get out, he must face the unknown entity.

And also for those who live in Southern California, the film will be having it's World Premiere at eh SoCal Film Festival on Friday, Sept 28th, 2012.

You can find more info on screenings and other goodies like photos from the film at it's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/DoppelgangerShortFilm

Be sure to "like" us while you're there. It's a really exciting time for me and everyone else who worked on it. Anyway...have a look. Enjoy!!!

 

A little gift from me to you!

Hello my dear B+B readers...

Just dropping in to say a quick hello. I'm still alive and doing well. I've just been busier with my projects than usual, so I haven't been able to spend as much time in the kitchen as I would like.  But I'd like to share with you something that's near and dear to me. As most of you know I make movies for a living aside from working on various productions on the tele, I am a filmmaker by trade. Some of you may remember by posting about my recent project ...here... Well here's your chance to see that project in its entirety. I present to you all my latest short film, By The Water's Edge. If you've got 11-minutes to spare have a look. You can watch it below. Or on its vimeo page ...here...

Synopsis:
By The Water's Edge takes a simple look at the human aspect of war. April 1942 (WWII), an American soldier trying to escape the enemy, encounters a young Filipino boy and his mother in Japanese-occupied Philippines. A brief encounter of kindness in a time of uncertainty.

I'm currently prepping for my next film set to shoot in January and it'll be something completely different from this previous one. I'm really excited to share it with you all soon. So for now I wish you all the very best during this holiday and in the coming new year. Happy viewing!!! Enjoy!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, 

AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!!!

Coffee from Peet

I had gotten a nice package few weeks ago. I wasn't expecting anything. Oddly enough, I was actually home to receive it. Don't you ever feel like it's Christmas every time you get a package at the door. -- Yeah...me,too. -- Well, this package was from the generous folks at Peet's Coffee. This was in part of being a participant of the Tastemaker program from Foodbuzz.

Peet's coffee. you know it's like this really cool place o get some really tasty coffee. Inside the box were samples of their Cafe Solano and Cafe Domingo coffee grounds. It came with a nice tumbler and several $2 off coupons, which I can give to my coffee loving friends. I know for sure that I'll make use of the tumbler especially when I'm working on set. Coffee is your best friend on set especially with the long hours.

The Cafe Domingo is a blend of Central and South American coffees. The Cafe Solano is of African, Indo-Pacific, and South American coffees.

Now I'll be honest, I'm no coffee connoisseur. Sometimes I don't know the difference between the different beans and grounds and the thousands of varieties that are found out there. They all kind of look the same to me. There's too many to keep track of, really. But I do like a good cup or two or three or four -- depending on the type of day it is, but suffice to say, I like a good cup. I like to have my coffee (with a little milk or cream) and have it with a nice warm pandesal with some butter or nutella. It's all about simplicity for me.

If I go out to eat for breakfast or brunch, I usually order a coffee. It would actually be a rare moment when I'd make it at home. Maybe because I'm lazy? Anyway, I did give these a try. And I'd have to say that its got a good taste to it. Compared to some of the generic brands out there. I did give some to a couple of good friends of mine who LOVE coffee. And they, too, enjoyed the taste. Maybe I've converted them to drink the good kinds of coffee...? Only one can tell. The quality in taste is definitely higher than several brand found out there. The aroma of it is nice, too.

Another way I like to have my coffee is when I do my writing. For some who may not know, I am a filmmaker by trade. I'm a writer, director and producer. I'm constantly typing away on the keyboard conjouring up stories --  that I'm optimistic will one day see the light of day and not just sit around collecting dust. :) There are always two things next to me when I write. My trusty notebook full of ideas and a cup of coffee. They really do go hand in hand. 

How do you drink your coffee? Or how what do you pair your coffee with?

Juice, tea and tervis?

I know I haven't posted in while. It's been touch and go with me in the kitchen. Haven't had a chance to really dig my hands into some good ingredients. I did receive some packages during that time though. Thanks to the Tastemaker program from Foodbuzz, I got to try out this really cool tumbler.

Tervis is a brand of tumbler cups. As their description say that it's "virtually indestructible". A lifetime guarantee that it won't crack, melt, shatter, or chip. -- "Interesting?" as I said aloud.

I did drop it on my kitchen floor as I was about to pour me a drink. Totally unintentional, I promise. I just had butterfingers at the moment. No really, I did.

I'm big on iced tea. I've got no preference on flavor or variety. As long as it's some form of iced tea, I'm good to go. Since the weather here in Los Angeles has been a bite of the summery side, even when it's supposed to be fall, it was a good time to sip some cold ones and give this nifty looking tumbler a try. I will admit that the design of it is really cool. And they had the Foodbuzz Tastemaker logo on it. Neat, eh? It looks like a cup within a cup. Ooooooo...

It did keep my drink cold. Another part of the their description was that it kept hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. The couple times I've used it, I haven't been disappointed. It does what it says. Also, there wasn't any condensation on the outer part of the glass which made for grabbing the tumbler a little easy and not having to wipe away any moisture that normally form around it leaving those rings on the table. I think that's an added plus.

I'd say give it a try if you see one. They've got a nice selection on their website. 

We've Got A Winner

Thanks to those who entered B + B's Girard's Dressing Giveaway. With the help of the random number generator, I diligently counted and numbered each comment, which were a good small handful. 

Our Lovely #8 is...

Woohoo!!!!! Congratulations on winning B + B's Girard's Dressing Giveaway!!! You'll be getting an email from me very soon. Hope you enjoy the delicious dressing. You'll be getting some good quality stuff. It's not just for salads, ti can also be used as a marinade. Enjoy!

Photo-Graphy

Hey B + B readers...check out my new little photography site. It's my latest endeavor into the creative world. I've pretty much been an amateur photographer for many years and more recently it's becoming more of a side job. :) As some of you who have been an avid follower of this here little blog of mine, may know that I love to do photography as well as film. You can see a tiny sampling of the photos I've taken in the little slideshow below. Portraits, events, animals, etc... Some of them you may have seen some, especially the food photos, and a ton more are never before shown to the public with various being recent. I've got tons more in my portfolio on my website, too: Jennifer Razon Photography

Take a look around view the different categories in the portfolio. Become a fan on the FaceBook page as well. (Pretty please with sugar on top.) I'll be posting some new photos on there soon and every-so-often as well from various photos shoots I'll be doing. Please stop by and check it out. Tomorrow, I've got a fun recipe to share with you all. It's a classic as well. Gasp! Yes...a recipe!!!! So come back tomorrow, too, eh?

Jennifer Razon Photography

JR Photography Facebook Page

Birds Eye Chef's Favorites

It's been a crazy, odd, slightly fulfilling few weeks for me. I'm just barely starting to simmer down and reflect back on everything. Anyway, it's always cool to try out new products. Being a part of Foodbuzz'z Tastemaker Program I'm lucky to be able to receive item to try before they are released to the general public. This time around it's thanks to Birds Eye and their line of Chef's Favorites. You may know them by their frozen vegetables in the steamer bag packages. 

I've already been a fan of Birds Eye for a while. A frequent purchaser of the frozen veggies, those steam bags they come in really help cut the cooking time in half especially when in a rush to get some veggies out onto the table. So when I received the notification to opt-in to try something new from them, I jump on the chance.

They simple ready meals. In the box, were four samples.

Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto

Creamed Spinach

Primevera Vegetable Risotto

Roasted Red Potato & Green Beans

I cooked two of them the night I received it. Saved me from having to think of what to cook up.

Mushroom and Green Bean Risotto. I cooked it in the microwave. Yes, these also come in those fresh steamer bags, which I find really cool. The texture of the risotto is of the slightly thick creamy consistency. Not sure if it's supposed to be that way. Maybe it's the way I heated it up. But it was actually pretty good. The new way to do TV dinners? I love that there nice pieces of mushroom and green bean in it.

I also cooked up the creamed spinach. It is what is described in the package. It is tasty and lightly sauced, so it's not dry. I also cooked this one in the microwave.

If you don't like using the microwave, you can also heat it up on the stove. I'd only suggest the microwave only if you're in a rush to eat and don't want a lot of clean up, which this is great for.

I mixed the two side by side. This was sort-of attempt of making it look like the "yin-yang" effect. Sadly, it didn't work out to my benefit. I find that one package can feed one, but if you heat up two of the items you can share them with another person.

The next day, I had myself the Primevera Vegetable Risotto. I had spent the day writing the latest draft of a screenplay I had been working on with a colleague and I nearly forgot to eat. Yes, it can happen. One forgets to put scrumptious delicious in one's belly, if one has been pre-occupied with other activities. Of course, you'll get your stomach growling and saying "feed me" 

I mixed in a little shredded parmesan. Yes, I do love my cheese. Again, it was lightly creamy. Subtle flavors and filled me just right. My pictures don't really do this product justice, but give it a try when they come out in a grocery near you. It's particularly good for those who are in a hurry to get a meal.

Hummus

 

I had nearly forgot about the coupon I received courtesy of Sabra and Foodbuzz's Tastemaker program a few weeks ago. As I moved my papers and binders the little coupon fluttered like a leaf onto my desk staring right at me saying "purchase me" The craziness of work has completely gotten me, so my cooking life seems a bit non-existent right now. 

I remember seeing the commercials for Sabra Hummas on TV on several occasion. Though I couldn't find it at the markets. Did a little search on their website to locate where I can find it.

Very helpful to have that on their website. I make my little trip and find the hummus. It was slim pickings at the store. At the time, the only selection there was was the regular hummus roasted, garlic and roasted pepper. I opted for the garlic. Have I mentioned that I love garlic?

I love that there are fine chopped pieces of roasted garlic in it rather than just some flavorings. I spread some it on pita chips and crackers. I even put it in an avocado sandwich. It actually really tasty. Though the store near me only had a small handful of selections on the brand, I'd like to try the other products that they offer. My photos don't make look quite as appetizing, but you should really give it a try. It's great for a snack.

B + B turns 2!!

Yup...that's right! B + B has turned 2 this past week. I actually didn't realize it until a couple days ago when I glanced at my calendar. Wow... Crazy!!! I figured I'd take a look down memory lane and revisit one of the first recipes I ever posted here. It was a crazy whim of an idea to randomly start a food blog and here we are today.

One of the first recipes I posted was for some delicious soft buttermilk biscuits. Mmmm... Nothing beats a fresh baked biscuit with some butter, jam or syrup. Maybe even all three smothered together. Yum yum! Once in a while I like to mix in some cheddar or parmesan to make them cheddar biscuits. I'm seriously craving to get back into the kitchen and whip something up. Gosh darn it...I think I will.

Happy cooking/baking/eating!!!

Makes 9 Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits

1 1/2 c All Purpose Flour (cake flour works too if you don't have anything else)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

2/3 c buttermilk

1/2 c unsalted butter (best if cold, cut into cubes)

2/3 c shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°

Sift flour, salt, sugar and baking powder into a bowl. Crumble in butter and mix well until almost like a powder-thick consistency. Add buttermilk again mix thoroughly well until it is of a dough consistency. You can add more milk, if needed.

Note: mix in the optional cheese with the dry ingredients. 

Then place the dough on a well-floured flat surface and knead a few times. Cut dough into desired size and place on baking sheet. Baked in oven 10-13 min.

For those who haven't seen the teaser trailer for my short film yet. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.
Become a fan on Facebook because I sure have some exciting news coming up in the near future. Enjoy!!

By The Water's Edge on Facebook

Official Website

My new film

Ok...so today's post isn't really about food. Some of you have have wondered, for quite some time, as to what I actually do. I post about my food adventures on set about being a background actor, but my main trade is actually being a filmmaker (Director/Writer/Producer). If you follow me on twitter some of you may have noticed that I've been tweeting ever-so-often about my current "pet" project. These last several months I've been busy working away at my latest film. Hence my absence from much of the blogosphere as of late. But I still do read up on as many blogs as I can and when I can.

So I am proud to share with you my latest work.

By The Water's Edge is a short film that I had written and directed, which is a smaller version of a larger project that I'm hoping to do. Yes, I do movies. That's what I do and what I love to do. You can click on the link to my personal website on the right to see some of my other works.

Anyway... Check out the official website for it: By The Water's Edge. It's got photos and a teaser trailer.
Become a fan on its Facebook page as well : BTWE - Facebook

So that's my latest offering. I'll eventually put the whole film online (possibly) later this year, so keep an eye out. But for now I hope you enjoy the teaser for the film. And I do hope to be posting some more good news in the near future. :)

2011 is here!!!

I hope you all had a good celebration to ring in the new year. A new year means new beginnings. 
A clean slate. I hope that it will surely be a good one for everyone. 

Delicious yum yums for my first meal of the year. Media noche meaning midnight meal. A bit of a tradition in the Philippines along with fireworks being set off in the streets. For this new year's meal, I made lobster and shrimp bisque as well as meatballs. I'll be posting the recipe for this in the next couple of days. So stay tuned for that. My mom made some spaghetti and we still had some leftover honeybaked ham and embutido, so we had some of that, too. As well as some tiramisu that we had gotten from Olive Garden. I love the way they make it. Dessert was one thing I wasn't really prepared to make. It was a quiet simple celebration except when my mom and I were running around the house yelling "HAPPY NEW YEAR." I think the neighbors would forgive us for this one night. 

Here's to prosperity, good healthy, and lots of yummy deliciousness to come.

Years-end already?

I hope you all had a wonderfully fabulous holiday. I spending these last few days of the year taking care of year-end stuff like catching up on tons of reading I have to do and some errands here and there. Plus, making my resolutions...er...goals for 2011. I was surprised this year that my lovely mom had volunteered to cook up our Christmas meal. A simple celebration we had this year. Nothing to fancy. Over the years, I forego gifts to just being able to spend time with loved ones. This year was no exception.

From top left: Honeybaked Ham, Queso De Bola (cheese), Chicken Pastel, Puchero (center), Embutido, some fruit and wine.

The ham and cheese were bought from the store, but they were really good. Embutido is the Filipino version of meatloaf with a little banan ketchup garnished over them. Really good slightly chilled or fresh the steamer with some pandesal (Filipino dinner rolls) I'll be making this for B+B soon. It's the only way really I could eat meatloaf. I love my mom's cooking. It's from her that I got my love for cooking. :) My mom had recently told me that before we came to America she would cook the puchero every week because it was one of my favorite. Reliving the fond memories for one day.  Of course, we had the traditional steamed rice. I'll just have to get the recipes from her so that I can cook some for myself. Yum yum!!!

 Our lovely tree this year.

Later that night the rain returned and poured down through the night. This gave me a fun 

excuse to jump in some puddles and kick up the waters in my new rainboots and to finish off the night with a nice glass of wine. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

I think my card this year says it all. Have a safe and wonderful day to all you lovely B+ B readers!!!! Stay warm and cozy!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Oh the holiday that puts a smile on food lovers across the United States. Many will be in the kitchen preparing for the holiday feast.

Here's my menu:

Herbed butter Roast Chicken 

Chicken Gravy

Honey Buttermilk Biscuits

Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole

Walnut and Pistachio Strudel in Phyllo dough

Recipes to follow in the coming days. :)

For now, I hope you all have a great holiday and weekend. 

Enjoy it with family and friends. Eat up and be merry!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Harry Potter, Car Trouble, and Lobster Bisque-- Just another Saturday

Saturday was an interesting day. First, I had myself a little car trouble. Nothing to do with the engine, bu more to do with my window. And it just so happens that on that day it was raining. Not fun. Then a matinee trip to the Cineramadome at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood to watch Harry Potter. Yes, I'm an HP geek. I've read all the books and I love the movies. I wouldn't miss seeing it on opening weekend. I've been wait for the movie for the past year, soooo worth it! Cant wait for part 2.

Then spent a couple hours after trying to fix my window again. I need to take it to an auto body shop. Ugh! :( By then my stomach was grumbling, I was stressing out and it was getting late. I'm kind of picky sometimes at what times I eat. So I took an early dinner with my mom to Granville Cafe at the Americana. I've written about the place before in this post. Our trip this time around was basically just to relieve some of the stresses of the day. 


As we made our way there, we passed by another restaurant and conversed about a lobster bisque they had on their menu. We spend a few good minutes on that. Ha. 


We arrive at Granville and take our seats. First thing we ask was the soup of the day. I had been craving soup for a while and rainy days are perfect for those. Our waitress kindly tells us, which was...lobster bisque. Well...wouldn't you know? So we each order a cup. We also order the rest of our meal from the Shareables section. 

Loberster Bisque seasoned with apple brandy. Two toasty slices of french bread with herbs. Not to mention the two large chunks of lobster in the soup. I enjoyed this one. It's got a nice creamy texture to it. I love how the toasted baguette slices didn't soak up the soup too much, so you got that nice soft/crunch when you bite down onto it. and they were generous with the pieces of lobster. It wasn't those pea-sized pieces.

Sweet Potato fries with ranch dressing, ketchup and blue cheese dressing. I'm a sucker for this. Any restaurant. I'll be tempted to order it no matter what. This was when I realized that I had a small deep fryer at home. I had a mini lightbulb moment. 

Lettuce Cups.  Butter lettuce with a mix of mango, avocado, grape tomato and asian slaw. Served with a side of asian dipping sauce. My mom had ordered this before but with some slices of beef. This time around we left it purely vegetarian style. Still tasty.

Granville's Artisan Cheese Quesdilla

Fontina, Gruyere and Mozzarella Cheeses in a flour tortilla, with Basil Pesto, Grilled Vegetables, Caramelized Onions and Crumbled Goat Cheese

I like quesadilla. Period. Need I say more. Hehe...okay. I love the chunks of veggies that were in it. Zucchini, bell pepper...

It was a good way to end a semi-stressful day. A good meal and an awesome movie. 

Grandville Cafe (Glendale) 

The Americana at Brand

807 Americana Way

Glendale, California 91210

(818) 550-0472

Early holiday surprise?

The other day, I notice this large package right beside my door. It had some good weight to it. I don't remember ordering anything that had a lot of weight to it. I take it in and open it.

Low and behold it's a package from Hickory Farms. What?! Then I remembered I opted in on an opportunity to try some samples via the Tastemaker program from Foodbuzz. (Thanks, Foodbuzz and Hickory Farms!!) Who are they? Oh...you know...you've probably received one of their lovely gift packages for Christmas as a gift from someone. I know I do every year. At least one or two tops of the small boxes that have a sausage, cheese, crackers and a small jar of hot mustard, which I simply love to spread on sandwiches. Not to mention the cute little spread knife and strawberry candies that come in the package. I knew to always expect one every Christmas.

Sometimes you get one and wonder...what the heck are going to do with it? Have a cheese and cracker party? You know that's not a bad idea. You can. Or you can make a delicious meal out of it. Can you tell the hamster wheel in my head already turning?

Look at it!! 

In the box:
1 Sweet Hot Mustard -- I love this one!!
1 Honey and Pineapple Mustard
1 Three Cheese and Onion Wedge
1 Smooth and Sharp Wedge
1 block Cheddar & Havarti blend
1 block Big Barn Cheddar
2 small boxes of Sesame, Caraway, and Sea Salt Crackers
3 Beef Summer Sausage (2 Premium Beef -- Semi-Dry and 1 White Pepper Slow Cured)
3 strawberry candies

Now I don't want to serve this up like cheese and crackers appetizer snacks. I've got some plans for those babies especially them sausages. Like mac and cheese or pizza or fried rice. Just to name a few. If you have any suggestions I'd be most happy to hear them. I'm definitely open to making something out of them.  You'll just have to wait and see.

Comforts of home

"Turo-turo" meaning point-point in tagalog. You literally point to the food that you want for the server scoop a good amount on your plate.

One of the neat things about living in LA is that I'm never homesick for the foods of the Philippines. It's just a short drive away. Though, there are moments when I get lazy to drive out. Ha!

What to choose? What to choose? :) Homeland deliciousness. 

Happy Halloween!!!

It's Halloween!!!!! Today's a good a excuse to eat as much candy and chocolate as you want. Just be mindful of the impending cavities that may come after. :)  And to mark the occasion, I couldn't think of a more appropriate song than "This Is Halloween" from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. I love that movie!

Oh look... Jack Skellington took it upon himself to sit on my computer, interrupting me as I wrote, and have himself a kit kat bar. Oh, Jack!

Anyway...here's a couple Halloween food facts:


* The jack-o-lantern tradition comes from an old Irish folk tale about a man named Stingy Jack. It was said that he was unable to get into heaven and was turned away from the devil because of his tricky ways. So he set off to wander the world looking for a resting place. For light, Stingy Jack used a burning coal ember in a hollowed out turnip. When the Irish immigrated to the U.S. during the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1850, they found that turnips were not as readily available like they were in the homeland. So they started carving pumpkins as a replacement for their tradition. 


* The number one candy of choice for Halloween is Snickers


* Did you know that chocolate is better for your child's teeth than hard candy? Chocolate rinses more easily from the mouth by saliva, leaving it in contact with teeth for a shorter time. Chocolate also contains tannins, which inhibit the action of cavity-causing bacteria


*More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces -- enough to circle the moon nearly four times if laid end-to-end

Be good and stay safe out there for those of you who will be out trick or treating. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

sources:

http://www.rexanne.com/hwn-facts.html

http://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/traditions/fun-and-freaky-halloween-facts/?page=2

500 and so on...

Post #500!!!! Woohoo.........

When I saw the post counter on my blogger dashboard, I marveled at the thought that I've made it thus far. Though, I don't really have a recipe to share today. But I do have a stack of hand written recipes that I'm anxious to try out and share with you all. Aside from the fact that two major holidays are fast approaching. Thanksgiving and Christmas. This week in cooking has been a little on the down side. I blame it on work and the lovely fall weather this week.

Anyway...Halloween is upon us in just a couple of days. I've been stuffing my face with chocolates primarily those snack-sized Kit Kat Bars. Dangerous for me to be within feet of them. I'm usually a snickers girl, but something about those chocolate covered wafers were just calling my name and I've been having that theme song in head for some time.  I swear by the time Halloween arrives, there won't be anymore chocolate to give out at the pace I'm shoving them into my mouth. Hahaha... Here's a classic Kit Kat commercial for your enjoyment.

I've been spending a lot of this week working on several projects especially with my writing. I'm feeling good about them. Personal and professional deadlines I've set for myself as well as getting my projects up and running.

Anyway... back to the old grind. Tippy, tap, tippy, tap, tippy, tap...goes the keyboard.

Vote for me :)

Ok folks... Voting is now open for that blogger mushroom recipe challenge from Marx Foods.  If you need a refresher on what my recipe Here it is:  Pinoy Style Wild Mushroom Fried Rice.

Doesn't it look delicious?

 Pinoy Style Wild Mushroom Fried Rice

Click on the badget below to cast your vote. I'm the 4th one from the top.
(Pretty please with a porcini mushroom on top. )