Happy 4th of July!

layers of lady fingers, sweetened cream, blueberries and raspberries

Movies on DVD

I watched about 25 movies on DVD the past three weeks but will review only the best and the worst.

THE FOUNTAIN A+
One of the best movies I have seen so far this year. Beautiful story, excellent photography (by Filipino-American Matthew Libatique) and soundtrack. Hugh Jackman as Tom tries to find a cure for his dying wife's (Rachel Weisz) cancer, eventually understands and accepts death, helped by the unfinished book that she was writing. I watched it 3 times already and I wouldn't stop raving about it, that my daughter gave me the graphic novel it was based on (probably either to encourage me or to shut me up), both written by Darren Aronofosky (Pi & Requiem For A Dream). I also got the soundtrack CD which is as beautiful and haunting as the movie. Me, obssessed?, maybe...;D

DOMINO D
I found this unopened DVD which was supposed to be my daughter's gag gift to one of her friends. She said it's one of the most awful movies she has seen and proceeded to recite (a la Keira Knightley): My name is Domino, domino, domino... Hahvy, hahvy, hahvy...I'm a bounchy huntchuh, huntchuh, huntchuh...then sneered. She forgot about it and told me to open it and see for myself how truly awful it is. She suggested that I take a shot of vodka or other hard liquor for every stupid/cheesy dialog or scene and I will surely get drunk at the end of the movie, but I'm not into drinking like most young adults so I ignored that. But I can say, the movie is awful. Keira Knightley is not a good actress and she keeps appearing in moan-inducing movies: Bend It Like Beckham, Pirates of the Carribean, and in Pride and Prejudice was the worst Elizabeth ever!!
Also, I viewed for the 5th (or is it 6th?) time a favorite movie of mine: Le pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf), one of the most awesome movies that came from France. This movie, set in the 18th century French countryside where a legendary beast had been killing villagers, has everything, and I mean everything: action, romance, mystery, beautiful martial arts sequences, mysticism, cultish Christian nuts, crazy gypsies, heaving bosoms, incest, gore, whores, and the most beautiful people on screen: Mark Dacascos (TV's The Crow) and his nice butt, Monica Belucci with her awesome weapon and her real life husband, Vincent Cassel as the incestuous brother. The movie is like a live action anime. Here's a teaser:

Mamon (Chiffon Cake) & Cherry Garcia Ice Cream

This is the very first time I attempted to bake mamon. I have always thought it is difficult to make and worried that the cakes will not rise properly, or they will have gigantic holes in them, or worse, they will be hard as bricks. This recipe which is widely available online proved me wrong. The cakes have a tight crumb, very moist and as delicious as the ones I had back in the Philippines. I baked half of the batter in large cupcake molds and the other half in a loaf pan which I sliced and made into mamon tostado.

mamon baked in large muffin pans

mamon tostado

Mamon

1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 large eggs, separated
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• In a large piece of waxed paper, sift together flour and baking powder. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until merengue-like but not stiff. Add sugar gradually and continue beating for 1 minute. Add oil and vanilla extract, beat well. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. With low speed, add flour mixture. Finish mixing by hand with a spatula.
• Cut into the batter several times with a spatula to remove large air bubbles. Fill paper lined cupcake pans 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are lightly brown.
• For the mamon tostado: Bake mamon in parchment paper lined loaf pans for 30 - 40 minutes. Cool completely, slice into 3 x 1½ x 1-inch pieces and bake in a 250°F oven for 20 - 25 minutes, turning the cookies after 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Cherries & Dark Chocolate Chips Ice Cream

Cherry Garcia ice cream is probably one of the most popular Ben & Jerry's flavors, the recipe of which can be found in many websites. My version has 3 times the amount of cherries and does not have egg yolks because I want the ice cream lighter, with less fat and sugar. I guess I can't call it Cherry Garcia then, just cherries and chocolate ice cream. This recipe makes 2 quarts of delicious, fruity ice cream.

1½ cups pitted and halved fresh bing cherries
1 bar dark chocolate, cut or shaved into small chips
2 cups well chilled heavy whipping cream
2 cups well chilled fat-free half and half
½ cups sugar

• Chill the cherries and the chocolate chips in the fridge for 2 hours. Combine heavy cream, half and half and sugar, churn in ice cream maker for 20 minutes. Add chilled cherries and chocolates and churn for 2 more minutes. Transfer into a container and freeze for 2 hours before serving.

LAKBAYAN: How Much of the Philippines Have You Visited?

I'm interrupting my 'vacation' to post this very interesting quiz that I got from Serious Fictions' blog. LAKBAYAN: How Much of the Philippines Have You Visited?

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Have fun with the quiz!