Banana Fritters

My roommate had a bunch of bananas in the fridge which I knew if not put to good use,  soon would go to waste. With her permission I decided to make one of my favorite Jamaican desserts.  Banana Fritters! Ingredients 3 ripe bananas 1 egg 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg 1/2 cup of sugar 2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4-1/2 cup milk Directions Peel and mash the ripe bananas. Beat egg, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Next, blend egg mixture with mashed bananas.  Make sure it is all incorporated. Then sift flour and baking powder into the banana/egg mixture.  Mix it all together. If the batter seems to be too thick add a little milk. Add oil to a frying pan and place on medium high heat.  Drop spoonfuls of the banana fritter batter into the hot oiled frying pan. Flip when you see the edges starting to get brown and golden. Lastly, combine cinnamon and sugar together to create your cinnamon sugar.   Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top and serve with Vanilla Ice cream if you like. Yumtastic!

Lady in Red

Lady in Red by dedwards featuring knit dresses

Lanvin knit dress
$4,900 - neimanmarcus.com

Oscar Predictions

Oscar Day is one of my favourite days of the year (I have many fave days...sue me!). The anticipation of Tinsel Towns  highest honor has me in a tizzy. The Red Carpet. Who Wore What? The Show and the After Parties...I love it all!
Over the years  I have been pretty good at predicting who will win what. Now, now I  am not clairvoyant but the list below is who I think should win. Happy reading dolls.

Best Picture: The Kings Speech

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Colin Firth

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Natalie Portman

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale

Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo

Best Director: Daren Aronofsky

Carmelo Anthony is a Knick!!!

Carmelo Anthony

New York Knick fans can finally rejoice. We got Carmelllllllo!( Spike Lee voice).
See I am not a wagonist. I have been down with the Knicks since the days of Ewing and John Starks baby! And sure they fell off for some time. Well kinda nosed dived for a couple of years ( more than a couple, but who the heck is counting!)
Most recently though the Knicks have been back in biz with Mr Amare, but now that its official that we got Carmelo i know other teams are shook. Its about to be on and well... ballin.
Watch out, LA, Boston, Miami (NY ain't need Bron Bron anyway), and Orlando! The season just got that much more interesting :)

Reading Spree

Reading to my heart's content

So i decided not to get cable when i moved into my new apartment a few months ago. Why? Well not only could i save money for fashionable splurges, but, secondly i found that TV was taking over my life. I just couldn't miss certain shows, and noticed that my social life was suffering because of it. And dolls, we just can't have my social life being tampered with!
I do miss my Oprah fix, not to mention Top Chef, Gossip Girl, The Real Housewives, and (don't judge me) Jersey Shore, but the truth is i can find these shows online and watch them any time i like. Freeing up the time i used to dedicate to being a pretty cute couch potato, to doing other things, for example reading.
I've always liked reading, but now i think i am in love, reading a new book almost every week. Most recently i read Jenny McCarthy's Love, Lust, and Faking It (quite funny), Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God (a lesson in how simple love can be), Diane Von Furstenberg's A Signature Life (an inspiration), Junot Diaz's The Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (well written, fun to read masterpiece), and am now unto Diana Vreeland's DV.
I now find myself excited to pass the time away as i wait for a train with a good book in front of me. Almost missed my stop a couple of times by being lost in a book. I would have it no other way though, my brain is being stimulated for the better, on a different amusement park ride every time i start a new book.

Red Velvet Cookies

Everybody loves a sweet treat, and specially on Valentines Day. So i decided to make Red Velvet Cookies for friends and family and anybody that i thought might appreciate. Thus far the reviews have been good, and quite frankly i could eat like 10 in a sitting. I mean i didn't (wink wink). But please believe i could have. Here is the recipe for you to enjoy on your own or share with that special someone.


Ingredients
1 Box Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
Mix all ingredients together. This will make a cookie dough. Roll into balls about the size of a walnut and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Flatten down slightly (depending on the thickness you desire). Bake at 375° until the tops crackle (about 8-10 minutes) or until desired doneness.
Cool and then frost with basic... 

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8 ounce package cream cheese -- softened
1/4 cup stick margarine or butter -- softened
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese, margarine, milk and vanilla in medium bowl with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable. Refrigerate any remaining frosting.


 
 

Red Stripe Spicy Bbq Wings

Red Stripe BBQ Wings

 

I was totally in the Super bowl mood yesterday ( even though black and yellow lost...boo!). Knowing i was going to a lil party i got out of the house early and headed to the bodega only to spot my home town beer Red Stripe, and decided i would create a new wing recipe. The wings scored a touch down! So i decided to share.

 

Ingredients

• 1 scotch bonnet pepper 
• 1/2 bottle Red Stripe Beer
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 pounds chicken wings

Directions

Combine the  scotch bonnet, soy sauce, honey,  sugar,  cayenne,  garlic, vinegar, orange juice and scallions in a blender and puree. Place the wings in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Remove the wings from the bag, place on  pan and bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the marinade to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until reduced by one-third, about 10 minutes.

Remove the wings from the oven and brush with the glaze. Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and continue to bake until the wings are cooked through, 20 more minutes.

All Red Starbursts!!!!

I was super stoked (I can't believe i just said... stoked) to see a box of all red starbursts at the bookstore the other day! I know i might receive a resounding who gives a...! But i for one used to dream of this as a child. Eating all the red (strawberry and cherry) starburst's and discarding of the pesky orange and i believe lemon gummi treats was a ritual. Now starbursts has an all red flavoured box! Ahhhh i feel like a kid in a candy store! Hmmm...well i guess i am ;)

Happy Black History Month

I am not going to get into a long debate about Black History Month, but will say this, as a black person, any day, week, month or year that celebrates a culture that I can relate to I will celebrate. So I will use the time (although i do this more than the month that has been allotted), through, food, music, art and much more, to reflect on what my ancestors had to endure for me to be the person I am today.
Happy Black History Month!

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

I love this recipe! It's so yummy and full of flavor. I swear in a past life I was Italian. Check out the recipe. You will love it too, I promise.

 

Ingredients

• 1  package jumbo pasta shells
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 (32 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 pound shredded Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
• 8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Mrs Dash Italian seasoning
• 2 generous shakes Lawry's seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1  jar pasta sauce (I prefer Prego )

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F .
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix eggs, ricotta, half the mozzarella or monteray, half parmesan, italian seasoning, garlic powder, seasoning salt and pepper until well combined. 
4. Spread bottom of baking dish with pasta sauce then stuff cooked shells with ricotta mixture, carefully placing them in baking dish.
5. Sprinkle shells with remaining cheese and pour pasta sauce over stuffed shells and add a little more italian seasoning.
6. Bake in preheated oven 45 to 60 minutes, until edges are bubbly and shells are slightly set.

Happy Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Jr

As a person of color today I have the ability to be anything I want to be. And I mean anything! Because of Dr. Martin Luther King.
His life was taken from him simply because he was a black man who wanted better for himself and his people. "Equality for all", was one of his motto's. So today I celebrate, with everyone regardless of class, color or creed for a man who was a dreamer, and an inspiration.
Happy MLK Day!

Corn Soup

Its fuuuuureezing outside! And whats one of the best winter warm up foods? Soup of course!

I was craving some corn soup the other day, which i first became au fait with at Trinidad carnival a few years ago. So i whipped up this tasty and fulfilling soup and decided to share the recipe with you all.

Ingredients:

Servings Size

• 
  

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions chopped
• garlic seasoning
• 4 carrots diced
• 1/4 cup celery chopped
• 3/4 cup yellow split peas
• 8 cups chicken water
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper left whole
• 1 can coconut milk
• 6 ears corn
• Lawry's Seasoning salt
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper
• 4 chicken bullion cubes

 Directions

1. In medium pot boil water with bullion cubes.
2.  Remove the kernels from three ears of corn. Set aside. Slice the remaining ears of corn into thick rounds and set aside.
3. In another large soup pot heat oil, and add onions, carrots, celery, and cook for about 5 mins stirring constantly
4. Add garlic powder, seasoning salt and black pepper and saute until fragrant.
5. Add the kernels and split peas.
6. Once bullion water is boiled and veggies are properly sauted, Combine bullion stock with veggies.
7. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Add the scotch bonnet pepper and coconut milk and corn rounds.
9. Cover the pot and simmer for about an hour until peas are soft.

FELA!

It was a long Christmas. Being away from family and friends sucked! However, one of the high points of the holiday season was my chance to watch the Jay-Z, Jada and Will Smith produced Fela on Broadway, before its scheduled finale last night.
Truth be told this was my first Broadway show, but trust, because of Fela i think even with the high price tag i will be a regular.
Fela for those who don't know is based on Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, and featured Patti Labelle who played his mother Funmilayo.
The rhythmic melodies provided by an incredible cast and band had me continually dancing in my seat. At one point the whole audience hopped out of their seats to shake their groove things. Definitely what i call a damn good time!
Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Madonna (twice), Beyoncé (naturally), Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Denzel Washington, Usher, John Legend and Spike Lee have all seen and raved about Fela. I wonder if they got out of their seats to dance too? Nonetheless Happy New Year to all! 2011 is going to be spectacular.

Eggplant Parmesan

Honestly I never thought I would be an eggplant fan. But with age I notice I am much more willing to try new things. And who woulda thunk I would actually like it. So after trying it out, I decided to make my own healthier version of eggplant parmesan.

Ingredients

• Large eggplant
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 6 cups spaghetti sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 cup Ricotta
• ½  cup Parmesan cheese
• ¼ Cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Seasoning salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cut eggplant into round slices and dip in egg, then in bread crumbs.
3. Heat pan and generously cover with cooking spray. Place eggplant in pan and brown on each side.
4. In baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Serve over pasta.

Oatmeal Cookies

 

I have a ridiculous sweet tooth and just had to make some oatmeal cookies to fill the craving. These heavenly treats are soft and melt in your mouth. Have with a glass of milk and enjoy!

 Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 cups quick cooking oats

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Larry King bids adieu

Yesterday after 25 years at CNN, 77 year-old journalist Larry King hosted the last Larry King Live.
I quite like Larry. The suspenders, the ties, the glasses, oh and the signature Brooklyn accent. I love it all. Many a night i have held my eyes open with match sticks waiting up to see his show. Who he would interview next and how the interaction would be. The man has interviewed world leaders, celebs and even the Average Joe who has made headlines for something or another. People know they have made it when they are interviewed by Mr. King!
The thing about Larry is he isn't the "perfect journalist". He has many bloopers and flubs names on a reg. He is human! And i believe this ability to remain his dang self over the years is what has kept his ratings strong over the years.
The good thing is he promises to be back for specials on CNN. I hope so Larry.

Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup

 It is freezing outside here in New York! Fareeezin! But there is nothing like a hot cup of soup to warm you up when the temperature has taken a nose dive. One of my fave soups is Lentil. Full of flavour, its yummy, quick and easy, and I thank my friend Alicia for introducing it to me.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• Garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 cups lentils
• 11 cups chicken broth 
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped

Directions

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. 
• Add the onion, carrots, scotch bonnet and celery. 
• Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. 
• Add the lentils and mix to coat. 
• Add the broth and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Voila soup is complete! Ladle into bowls and as an optional addition of flavor sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and serve.

Black Swan

Give me a romantic comedy and I will sit with my popcorn and laugh till my tummy hurts. Cause, really I'm not a thriller movie loving kind of girl, but Black Swan may have changed all that.
It must have been the ballet that caught my eye. I used to do ballet and have slight (very slight) regret that i did not continue, but i have been wanting to see this movie ever since i heard it was being made. So happy it didn't disappoint.
From start to finish this movie had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what could possibly happen next.
Natalie Portman was, simply put...amazing. Could the golden statue (Oscar) be hers? I'm not positive yet, as i need to see the other strong contenders of the season. But one thing is for sure, she should definitely be in the running.
Oh and Barbara Hershey! I have loved her since Beaches, one of my absolute fave movies of all time! Outstanding job Babs!
This one is a must see people!

Sun dried tomato and parmesan crusted Tilapia

Sun dried tomato and Parmesan crusted Tilapia with creamed spinach and brown rice

 Another quick and easy meal to please the taste buds

Ingredients

•  tilapia fillets
•  seasoning salt (preferably Lawry's)
• 4 to 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• garlic seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Lightly grease a pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Rinse fish, pat dry, coat in lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with seasoning salt and garlic.
5. In a bowl, mix sun-dried tomatoes, cheese.
6. Cover fish with mixture and place in pan.
7. Bake for 15 mins or until cheese topping is brown.

Prince!

Oh good God! I don't know what it is about this man that i like so much, but i really do like him. Yep in all his high heeled and permed glory I do love me some Prince! Don't judge me!
So he was on The View today looking all types of rock star sexy, and at 52 he doesn't seem to be aging at all. Go ahead with yo bad self Princey. My fave part was when Sherri said to Prince, " I have wanted to make love to you for the whole of my life!" Yes Indeed!
Oh and i loved when Dave Chapelle did a skit on Prince playing basketball back in the day... FLATLINE! Too funny!Aww Prince my unexplainable crush on you lives on.