I am(erica)

‘ification’= californication- my newest obsession- the extremely witty, humorous, WTF comedy. I watched 9 episodes yesterday- only 30 minutes each- but still, I’m hooked. The writing is good, the acting is great, the plot-  a sex addict… and sex is, well, interesting, and a sex addict, i’ll take it. Duchovny is so easily loveable yet a complete freak. But I mean, if the guy can get that much ass, mineaswell take it while he can get it..

Season 3 starts next week, so looks like i’ll be spending the good part of the weekend watching a sex addict attempt to get as much booty as he can while trying to win the affection of his wife back. 

mmmmm… can’t wait, season 1 soon to be completed.

We’ve seen the obscenity from Kanye many albums and music award show performances ago, but his level of bizarreness grew to an all time high when he came out and performed his song “Runaway” on SNL and the MTV Music Awards with an almost whimsical, yet mysterious backdrop, in all red, and with ballerinas- this calls for major question marks. But, his CD My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy isn’t complementary of his performances of “Runaway.”

This CD features numerous musical guests whose appearances only reinforce Kanye’s musical empire. “All of the Lights” features guests ranging from Rihanna to Elton John, and is likely to be one of those songs that becomes completely commercialized within weeks. He goes hard in the song “Monster” featuring the likes of Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj. 

Even if you don’t like him, you probably like his music. I highly suggest listening/downloading this CD- you won’t be disappointed even if you are a T Swift fan. 

This pink hair-ed, sidekick of Lil Wayne first appeared in the hip hop world as a Lil’ Kim’s copycat- but in Nicki Minaj’s new album “Pink Friday,” she clearly goes above her nipple tassle wearing comparison. Nicki really pushes it in her duo with Eminem called “Roman’s Revenge.”    There isn’t a song that you won’t want to dance in the shower to, so yes, even though Nicki is sporting a green do these days- don’t let that deter you… her pink roots are in full throttle in this “un-princess” gem. 

So.. even though Thanksgiving isn’t a “cool, hip” trend, since the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts in 1621, I thought I would get a little festive at least in the trendiest way possible…

cooking?recipes?

So my mom is making a turkey for her first time and is pretty much flipping out about it.. and I just keep laughing, taking pictures of her asking anyone her senior for help ( she told me in secret the last time she cooked a turkey was in san francisco- yes in 1989, where I was born). But I will give her credit, she has always been known for her scrumptious side dishes.

I so, gratefully, gave her the recipe for gingerbread cupcakes (YUM), which she made last week ( because she is so worried about this turkey business), but I get pleasure of whipping up some cream cheese frosting while indulging in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade- my favorite, favorite thing since I was 5. So, as the clock is ticking ( it’s 10:15 but mother thinks 3:15pm), it’s beginning to seem like crunch time in my kitchen. So, after I post this, I’ll walk down there, get the Kitchen Aid mixing gadget out that she hasn’t used since she bought it ( i’ll only use it because it’s the easiest), and whip up some frosting…

All that being said- here is the recipe.. from the marvelous, yet monotone Ina Garten- INDULGE

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dark rum or water
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup minced dried crystallized ginger (not in syrup)

For the frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 pound confectioners’ sugar, sieved

For the decoration:

• 6 pieces dried crystallized ginger (not in syrup), sliced in half

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.

Place the rum and raisins in a small pan, cover, and heat until the rum boils. Turn off the heat and set aside. Place the butter and molasses in another small pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cool for 5 minutes, then mix in the sour cream and orange zest.

Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together into a small bowl. Mix with your hand until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and mix only until smooth. Drainthe raisins and add them and the crystallized ginger to the mixture with a spatula.

Divide the batter among the muffin pan (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

For the frosting, mix the cream cheese, butter, orange zest and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

When the cupcakes are cool, frost them generously and garnishwith a slice of crystallized ginger.