good luck deluxe

So guess what I did over the weekend.

I said guess what I did.

I attended the private screening of The Game Plan, starring Dwayne Johnson, and I interviewed him at the film’s press junket.

But let’s remember that Dwayne doesn’t go by his old wrestling moniker, The Rock, anymore — so please get it right.

Darling readers, sorry I haven’t blogged in a week. But hey — you would be MIA if you
were in my shoes, too, so cut a blogger some slack!

My interview of Dwayne Johnson was one of my more enjoyable ones, I’ll tell you that.

And before you ask, he didn’t do the eyebrow thingy. Not even once.

The Tiffany Mark® large chronograph

Self-winding, mechanical movement
18k gold on a farmed alligator strap
3 hands: hours, minutes and counter for elapsed seconds
2 sub-dials: small sweep seconds and counter for elapsed minutes
49 glorious jewels

No words necessary — me loves it!

The grilled desserts in Chandra Smith’s cooking video look beyond lusciou-licious!
This lady has the delectability of voluptuous fruit down to an exact science.

On the menu:

Grilled Bananas Foster
Grilled Poundcake with Spiked Peaches and Plums
Tropical Fruit Salad with Yogurt Dip

Happy grilling!

Puerto Rican Mango Salad

Cuban Black Beans

Cuban Ropa Vieja (means “old clothes,” or shredded flank steak stew)

Mojitos

When making mojitos, please do yourself and your guests a favor and use GOOD Cuban rum; that means NO BACARDI. Get the good stuff, folks!

Caipirinhas

For a Brazilian mojito (a Caipirinha), use cachaça instead of Cuban rum and omit the mint, as you will see in this video:

Flan Dessert: How it’s Made in Spain

I assume most people know what flan is, but for the clueless, it’s sort of a Latin
crème brulée with a caramel sauce instead of crunchy burnt sugar.

This video illustrates how flan is made in Spain, which is not poured into individual ramekins, but is rather served as one large custard dessert to be sliced. Yum!

Enjoy your Latin food this fall. I sure will!

I must confess that I’ve been snacking on these non-stop…especially with my morning cup of java. I’m a live wire all day!

There’s really not much to report about these macadamias except to mention they’re highly addictive. Combining Hawaiian coffee with sugar, butter and macadamias is just asking for trouble. But it’s trouble that I’ll gladly subject myself to time and time again.

Let’s be clear: I have no intention of ever abstaining from these things.

And we thought honey roasted peanuts were something!

OK, now how cute is this? You know how much I love dancing babies!

Watch little Chloe as she forms the Soul Train line…wearing only one sock!

I love Monica Mingo’s super simple gumbo recipe. She really simplifies the process, which I appreciate.

Some folks prefer to brown their poultry and meat first, but if you’re going for easy, do it Monica’s way.

I always add a cup of good red wine and some grated fresh ginger root to my gumbo.

Emeril - eat your heart out!

This cooking video is similar to how I make my black-eyed peas. I always add a can of coconut milk to mine with some scallions and fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, which makes them oh-so-good. Cook those babies in a crockpot for hours, and you’re about to savor a little slice of heaven!

If you were deprived of bean dishes as a child, it’s never too late to learn. Check out this video!

Oh, and please don’t bug me about the host of the show being anything but of Caribbean descent. I don’t care. That soup is bangin’. Just in time for fall!

What girl on God’s green earth doesn’t like chocolate truffles?

These booze-filled chocolates by Ghyslain are right up my belly…
I mean, alley.

Bourbon

Bittersweet ganache infused with small batch bourbon, dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with white chocolate drizzle.

Coconut Rum

White chocolate ganache with Caribbean rum, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut.

Pear William

Bittersweet ganache infused with Pear William brandy, dipped in milk chocolate.

Hazelnut Frangelico

Gianduja ganache infused with Frangelico, dipped in milk chocolate and rolled in toasted hazelnut.

Raspberry Chambord

White chocolate ganache laced with Chambord liqueur and raspberry brandy, dipped in white chocolate.

Passion Fruit Cointreau

Milk chocolate ganache infused with Cointreau and passion fruit puree, dipped in bittersweet chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate drizzle.

If truffles aren’t your thing, just say the word and I’ll relieve you of your duty to inhale them. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Hey readers, feast your eyes on the U.K.’s cooking duo Neneh Cherry and Andi Oliver preparing this awesome Sunday lunch!

So what’s on the menu?

Molasses-dipped roast lamb
Callaloo-inspired greens
Roasted lemon Jerusalem artichokes with sage
Halloumi and roasted vegetable stacks (I love Halloumi!)
Hibiscus and raspberry sorbet with a splash of pink champagne and vodka

The only thing they’re missing is me. Yummy!

Part I - “Sunday Lunch”

Part II

Part III

I used to wonder what happened to TV chef Jamie Oliver. But nevermind, ’cause I’ve got Andi Oliver!