Entertaining in Style

Entertaining in Style requires only a few key elements.

• Beautiful silverware (I have a collection of heirloom silverware)  It's eclectic and special as well as a conversation piece since it is unique to dining at my place.  My friends know I use it only for special occasions.  Use whatever item you have that is unique to your household. 
• 

  Pretty dishes make food look better.  White with simple trim like I have makes your food standout.  Remember...you eat with your eyes first! I ordered these online via Sur La Table culinary store in my area.  They are porcelain but microwave and dishwasher safe.  A touch of Europe whenever I eat.

•  
• 

  Candles and cloth napkins make everything special too.
  

  

  Rachel Khoo's Croque Madame Muffin that I made and presented with fruit and smoky bacon.  Her cookbook "Little Paris Kitchen"

As far as the dinner goes...I enjoy a three course dinner.  A starter, entree with one side, and a dessert.  Most importantly, if  you are not an experienced cook do not attempt to cook something you are unfamiliar with.  It can be disastrous. 

Hope your next party is a hit!  Will come up with some simple dinner menus for your next gathering.

Books, Movies and TV series Recommendations

World War Z with Brad Pitt..

Wow!  I love scary, suspense thrillers.  They are my favorite.  Make sure you get your snacks before you sit down since this movie rolls super fast.  If you get up you are gonna miss something.  It was very well done.  NOT one of those low budget zombie flics. Brad is one of my favorite actors.  The novel is completely different and hasn't kept my attention.  I vote for the film on this one.!




Novel Series:  A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones)  Mr. Martin is a  #1 New York Times Bestselling author.  Fantasy, Medieval book series.  Escape to the fictional world and time of Westeros.  Thus far.six novels and the story isn't finished.  Many of you follow this highly popular series on HBO.  If you like queens, kings, conspiracy, dragons, magic and sword fighting with twists and turns you will be addicted.  UPDATE:  According to Barnes and Noble salespeople, there are two more novels in the series before the story resolves.  Next season is #4.  It is difficult to put the books down.  The TV series is brilliant and the books are intriguing but the TV series is easier to follow.  The books are more complex with so many characters it comes with an index and maps.   Anyway you slice it, I give it a thumbs up.  Both are addictive.  My friends and I get together for wine and dinner for season premiere and finale night.



The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the part of a trilogy of novels by the late Stieg Larson.  I've read them all and own the movie version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.   This is by far the most intriguing book series I have ever read.  This story starts as a murder mystery set in Sweden but turns out to be three plots that merge and inner link.  The American version of the film is wickedly good.  It is graphic but well done.  I thought it was great but I preferred the book series.  Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig star  in the lead roles.  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and the Girl Who Played with Fire are the other two novels in the series.  There is talk of making two more movies to finish out the trilogy.  The original is a Swedish film but I preferred the American version more.  Mara's performance was over the top.  Check it out!  Wildly suspenseful.

Independent Films

What is an independent Film?  Not everyone is familiar with that term.  They are frequently called Indie Films.  Specifically, low budget movies with a couple well-renown actors that have limited distribution.  So far,  I think they are some of the best.  They are frequently projects big studios don't back but famous actors want to do.  They are usually my favorites because they aren't franchise films and therefore special.  Screenwriters that think "out of the box".

Black Swan((2010)and Requiem for a Dream (2000) by Director Darren Aronofsky are well known.  I think just about everyone has seen Black Swan.  Both films were rather dark and haunting but superb in their own right.  A little known film by famous Director Neil Jordan is called Ondine.  He also has an addictive series on Showtime called The Borgais.  I'm hooked on that.  Three seasons thus far and based on the reign of a notoriously scandalous pope in the sixteenth century.  Scandal, corruption and devious plots keep you hooked.

If you are interested in something more enchanting...I recommend a film by above-mentioned, Neil Jordan entitled Ondine.  Ondine (2009)was filmed in Ireland.  A modern day fairytale about an Irish fisherman whose life changes suddenly after catching a mysterious, beautiful woman in his fishing net. Touching screenplay, Colin Farrell as lead role with beautiful cinematography.  I came across it in my movie collection and thought I should recommend since it didn't get the PR Black Swan had and is just as good.  You can now find it on cable if you have premium stations sometimes.

Hmmm. Ireland..That reminds me...I need to hurry up and visit there too;)  

 So..if you come across a film listed as IFC or Indie, take the time to watch.  Majority of the time they are excellent.  Some to check out are Darjeeling Limited, Amelie, Bel Ami, Ondine and of course Black Swan. /Darjeeling Limited and Amelie are whimsical.  Bel Ami and Ondine are more serious while  Black Swan is more mysterious.  Watch and you be the judge.

Hope you are enjoying my blogs so far.!

Cultural Arts...Ballet

Hooked on watching Russian Ballet lately.  That really is eccentric!  I saw a very interesting documentary by Director Bertrand Normand.  I happened to accidentally find on Netflix and You Tube.  The film is dated 2009.  It traces the start of a ballerina's life in Russia from their selection process at age 10 for eight years and their young, short lived career

s as prima ballerinas. The selection process chooses 30 girls from 100 applicants and only 15 usually complete the grueling training. The most well renown school is Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.

It is unbelievable the devotion and discipline they have.  Very inspiring film.  In my opinion, the most beautiful and exquisite to watch perform is Diana Vishneva.  She became a prima ballerina after only one year out of the academy which is a rare accomplishment. She currently is in the Russian ballet as well as the American Ballet.  She also has a fabulous layout in Russian Vogue you can google.  The film is simply entitled Ballerina. 

For anyone residing in St. Louis...the Fox Theatre has ballets usually once a year for you to enjoy!

Check it Out!

 

 

Visiting France through your own kitchen

Did I mention I'm a francophile.  Want to get to Paris and Versailles.  Grandfather was from Alsace which is a small province on the Eastern French border.  I think that is where my love of cooking comes from.  We all might want to have crepes in Paris this morning but since I'm sitting in the Midwest, USA I thought I would just make some and eat off my new Parisian dishes.  Recipe is my own.

French crepes:

1 c. flour
1 3/4 c. milk (2% or whole, no skim)
1 t. vanilla
zest of one orange
2 whole eggs
1 T. sugar
1 T. melted butter
3 T. melted butter for coating pan

You will need 8 inch or 10 inch nonstick skillet, small pastry brush, 1/4 c. measuring cup or soup ladle.

Mix ingredients well to remove any lumps. A whisk works the best.   Heat skillet on medium, brush with melted butter and add 1/4 c. of mixture, immediately swirl around coating bottom...wait about one min and flip and cook for another 30 sec. and repeat.  Don't be alarmed if initial crepe is a mess.  This is usual and you become better each time you make it.  Serve with fresh berries and dusting of confectioner's sugar.

Berry Compote (I make this when I have a little more time)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

3 cups fresh berries.  I use blueberries, blackberries and/or raspberries
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 t. cornstarch
1 T. water


Rinse berries, mix ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes on stove until they become slightly thickened.  Then spoon over crepes.  Tastes great on vanilla ice cream too.! 

Welcome...and here we go!!

Welcome to my Blog!  I picked the name eccentricity because my friends say I am so eccentric.  I love everything vintage to rock n' roll.  I'm impulsive and quirky.  First time I...want to share my passion for music, culinary arts, movies, books, travel, and fashion. My tastes are very diversified.  I am known to be impulsive and live life for the moment. 

Impulsive. Bored with home...Got on a plane to England...Toured London for five days solo. ..Awesome!!  Experience of my life.  All cultures brought together.  More to come on that fab city.  I highly recommend.  Will present my pics for you later.   

Music... I played alto sax and piano growing up.   Classical piano builds technique but alternative rock is my favorite.  I play alot of Evanscence and the Fray.  Amy Lee is a pianist's inspiration!  When I was a child I studied piano for six years. Took a twenty year break.  Was inspired  by Issac Slade (lead vocals and piano from The Fray) and have been playing ever since. One of my new favorites is Imagine Dragons. 

Food!!! I vote...sense of taste is the most important.  Cooking and entertaining are my passion.  I am currently cooking my way through Rachel Khoo's French inspired cookbook...entitled...Little Paris Kitchen...!! More to talk about.  She is an entire topic.  Enjoy my pics of her recipes I have tried out.

See ya soon!

Patricia