"Maybe rush a little bit."

I saw this, and then I fainted. And for the record, Eclipse Edward >>>Twilight and New Moon Edward.

Clearly, Salma is not an amateur herpetologist like me.

This video has been making the rounds for the past two days, understandably. It's one of the most hilarious things you've ever seen. I've already watched it 10-15 times.

awkward, adorable, awesome

So the MTV Movie Awards, my fave, were on last night. For the record, I've always loved 'em, as most people who enjoy movies of all sorts do. It has not a single thing in the world to do with my unhealthily lingering Twilight addiction. Admit it-it's loads of fun watching clever skits, funny riffs on popular movies of the year, and cool awards like "Best Villain", "Best Kiss", and my personal new fave, "Best Scared as S*** Moment" (Hey, we all know I love a good scary movie). Even if said skits are sometimes lame.

Predictably, the Twilight crew handily breezed through the show, collecting every award possible. And no, I did NOT vote for them. I have not stooped to that level, people! I'm not that kind of fan! My SH was a total gem for sitting through the awards with me, a real prince. He even laughed a bit-which he SHOULD have-at Tom Cruise's hilarious return as lewd Les Grossman. Of course, I'm sure he was laughing inwardly at my pathetic when the Eclipse clip finally aired.

Still. So. Excited.

chicken korma

I was tempted to title this post "in which I dazzle my loyal few with my new photography prowess" or "new lens, delicious dish" or "the one where I finally take a great picture" but somehow I felt it might be better to stick with my usual routine, naming the posts after the recipes. As you MUST see, the pictures of this most delightful plate are considerably better than any I've taken. Contrary to what you might think, I did not, in fact, spend a few hours immersed in tutorials on Adobe Light Room in order to enhance my photography skills, despite the many millions of times my SH has admonished me to do so (for the record, I DO plan on building up my photo shop knowledge-PW and McMama both have lots of good hints and helpful posts, and I can also check on with my dear cousin Tyne, who is quite a photographer).

All it took for me to finally capture a food photo that was finally bordering on acceptable and pleasing was a new lens. Granted, the miraculous piece of black plastic is not cheap. You have to save up for these fancy accessories! However, I must tell you that it is worth every penny. Two words sum it up best: zero effort. I cannot wait to take more food pictures. I'm practically INSPIRED by this lens!

It is fitting that I chose this dish for my inaugural photo. Lots of great color, what with the rich orange, creamy curry sauce and delicately green cilantro leaves. I've been longing to try the recipe for quite a while. I use one of Jamie's recipes for chicken tikka masala, but I found myself drawn to the idea of adding a mild, simple curry (as Jamie describes it in the cookbook) to my repertoire. The final result is wonderful, a hearty, yet delicately-spiced curry. We swirled the yogurt into the warm flood of sauce cascading over the rice, and savored every delectable bite. I'm already trying to justify making it again.

Chicken Korma, adapted from Jamie's Food Revolution, by Jamie Oliver
(serves 4-6)

1 3/4 pounds skinless chicken breasts, preferably free-range or organic
2 medium onions
optional: 1 fresh green chile
a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger
a small bunch of fresh cilantro
1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans
peanut or vegetable oil
a pat of butter
1/2 cup korma or mild curry paste, such as Patak's (I was easily able to find Patak's at my local grocery, and Jamie has also included recipes for several different curry pastes in his book)
1 14 oz can of coconut milk (Lots of grocery stores carry reduced fat coconut milk now-a nice added bonus)
a small handful of sliced almonds, plus extra for serving
2 heaped tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups natural yogurt (I used my standby, 2% Greek yogurt)
1 lemon

To prepare your curry:
Cut the chicken into approximately 1-inch pieces. Peel, halve, and finely slice your onions. Halve, seed, and finely slice the chile if you're using it. Peel and finely chop the ginger. Pick the cilantro leaves and finely chop the stalks. Drain the garbanzo beans.

To make your curry:
Put a large casserole-type pan on a high heat and add a couple of lugs of oil. Add the onions, chile, ginger, and cilantro stalks with the butter. Keep stirring it enough so it doesn't catch and burn but turns evenly golden. Cook for around 10 minutes. Add the curry paste, coconut milk, half your sliced almonds, the drained garbanzo beans, unsweetened shredded coconut, and sliced chicken breasts. Half fill the empty can with water, pour it into the pan, and stir again. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 30 minutes with the lid on. Check the curry regularly to make sure it's not drying out, and add extra water if necessary. When the chicken is tender and cooked, taste and season with salt and pepper-please season carefully.

To serve your curry:
*Jamie suggests serving the curry with any of his rice recipes (contained in Jamie's Food Revolution and several other cookbooks). I was pressed for time, so I quickly tossed some basmati in my trusty old rice cooker before starting the curry.
Add a few spoonfuls of natural yogurt dolloped on top, and sprinkle over the rest of the sliced almonds. Finish by scattering over the cilantro leaves, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

safety dance

I couldn't resist saving this little clip for myself. I think it's my favorite number from the second half of the season. Makes me feel joyful! And desperately desirous of a personal choreographer, dance instructor, and whole crowd of people to dance with.

P.S. I cannot figure out how to scale my embedded videos from Hulu properly, hence the black bar.

summer reading list

This summer, for the first time in four years, I won't be taking a class. In light of this plethora of free time and many hours I'll be spending in airports/in flight (apparently, this is The Year of the Wedding), I have decided to embark upon a veritable marathon of reading. My lack of pleasure reading has been sorely lacking the past few months. I am MORE than looking forward to diving into a book that wasn't forced upon me (no offense, 1984).

It's a diverse list, no? A book my mom loved in high school, three or four good classics, two highly-anticipated books that complete beloved trilogies, an fascinating bit of nonfiction, a biography...it's going to be an interesting summer!

top 5 tuesday

This particular top 5, a list of my favorite Brits, has been brewing in my head for weeks. Perhaps I've been overexposed, what with all of the television and movie coverage of several of these favorites as of late. I do have a well-documented love of all things British, though, so it should come as no surprise that I have particular favorite individuals. It's not just about the literature, historical landmarks, or yogurt for me (seriously, the yogurt in England is unlike any other-I would ship it to myself by the truckload if possible).

5. Kate Winslet. She's the only lady on my list, and for good reason. I have adored her since she heartily admonished Hugh Grant's Edward Ferrars to read Shakespeare with more feeling in Sense and Sensibility and passionately wandered the English countryside in the rain just to observe the home of lost love and gold-digging scalawag Willoughby. Besides possessing a considerable amount of talent, Kate is admirable for not giving in to the super-thin Hollywood actress stereotype. She takes on gutsy, challenging roles and is not afraid to sacrifice how she looks. Which is luminously beautiful, by the way. Love her.

4. Hugh Laurie. An incredible actor. His talent is astounding, especially considering that he was best known in England for his comedic roles, while now snagging repeated Emmy nominations here for his role as the pill-popping, high maintenance genius of the eponymous House M.D. As House, he is simultaneously infuriating and funny, but somehow manages to make the viewer pity his lonely existence. Quite masterful, not to mention all done with a pitch-perfect American accent. Seriously, it's the BEST accent you've ever heard. In fact, when he auditioned for House, the producers/writers/powers that be apparently had no clue he was British, and were shocked to hear him speak naturally after the audition. Let's not belabor the sad fact that a group of talented writers and producers were unaware of Laurie's noted celebrity and renown in his homeland. Couldn't they at least have dredged up the memory of his tiny role on Friends as the grouchy passenger highly irritated with Rachel's shenanigans as she flew to London to stop Ross's wedding?

3. Chris Martin. Oh, my beloved Chris. The man behind the band that I adore, the driving force and inspiration behind some of the world's greatest songs. Stupendous musician. Husband of Gwyneth, father of Moses and Apple (two tiny carbon copies of himself, by the way). To add the to the growing list of qualities I admire? He's not afraid to make fun of himself, as evidenced from this hilarious turn on Extras.

2. Jamie Oliver. I'm not sure that there has ever been a chef/television personality more appealing than Jamie Oliver. He manages to be funny, charming, and inspirational all at once, rattling off quick, easy, and delectable recipes that make the viewer (or reader) feel as if it's a piece of cake to make a lovely dinner for your family without spending too much money or time. I adore hearing him chat about his daughters (Poppy, Daisy, and Petal) or wife Jools, and of course am completely smitten when he tosses about common English sayings like "tuck in." I thought it would be impossible for me to love him more, and then Jamie's Food Revolution came along. I am a fan for LIFE.

1. Robert Pattinson. I must confess, I waffled back and forth about placing Rob at the number one spot thinking SURELY Jamie deserves it and for goodness sake, I've admired him for longer and he certainly has a more solidified, respectable reputation. It's certainly less embarrassing to put Rob at the #2 spot. He is, after all, a recently discovered talent who shot to fame by taking on the role of a much beloved romantic character. We really haven't seen what he can do, so to speak. However, honesty must prevail on this blog of mine, and Rob is simply my favorite. That is my truth! For the record, my admiration is not at ALL due to his physical appearance. I happen to think that he's got quite a bit of potential, both musically and theatrically. He takes himself a bit too seriously, granted, but he is tremendously appealing in interviews and legitimate publications. Goofy, funny, self-deprecating, and wildly unprepared for his current status as a worldwide movie star. Additional points granted for almost exclusively taking on literary roles and keeping his Kindle with him at all times. Yes, I know that he has a Kindle. My celebrity knowledge is exhaustive, seemingly without limit.

I must now away to my study to continue my close reading of Sir Walter Scott's The Antiquary. How appropriate!