Skip the Supermarket

We’ve all been there - your stomach is growling but the clock is ticking, and you’ve got better things to do than cook. Your homework is piling up but your fridge is emptying out. Here are some quick and curiously delicious meals you can make from almost anything in your fridge that isn’t furry yet.

- Condiment sandwich: Toast two pieces of bread (or use a panini machine if you're fancy like us). Spread on some cream cheese and add olives, pickles and salsa (or old mushy tomatoes). Push the bread down so it makes a gooey mess, and cut the sandwich into an X – it tastes better that way.

-Ten minute stir-fry: With any flavour Ramen noodles, add some frozen veggies (or whatever greens you have that are about to expire) and chopped up breaded chicken nuggets/hot dog/tofu. Add soya sauce and cook in a pan for 7 minutes or until meat is heated through. 

- Frugal fried spaghetti: No sauce needed. Toss some plain pasta (even leftover) in a frying pan with basil, oregano and olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly crispy. Enjoy, and wonder why you’ve never tried frying spaghetti before.

- Stale Pita crisps: Revive some hardened pita bread in the back of your pantry. Brush on some olive oil, salt and pepper and garlic powder and tear the pita into pieces. Bake in a heated oven (400 degrees F) for 7-10 minutes. Delicious on their own, or keep some cans of hummus/baba ghanoush on hand for dipping. 

The only problem with these snacks? They may not impress if you’re cooking for a first date (save it for the second). Oh, and you might not want to let your roommate know how good they really are – you’ll end up back at square one.

Mugler goes big

Thierrymugler.com

So here is the actual link to the Mugler show with the new Lady Gaga remix... its amazing.

It isn't an actual song but I am pretty sure you can hear a few chorus lines that we will be hearing A LOT of in a few months...

Dates for dummies

Here is the second video on how to make prosciutto and basil wrapped &goat cheese stuffed dates demonstrated by the lovely Dana and her friend the banana.

Please note that the subject in question is clueless in a kitchen and has a phobia of plantain-like fruit. 

NYE is never perfect

Renée and I are seasoned experts at throwing parties in our little 800 sqf apartment. We have been known to stuff up to 30 people inside which is allot considering that we can only sit 12...

This past New Years we decided to have a pre-party at our place. The idea was that everybody comes over around 8 to have a drink and a quick bite before running off somewhere else for the countdown. However, our guests were (of course) all late and a bunch of us ended up staying here past midnight and dispersed afterwards. Next year we will just do a full out NYE party, it was way better to have an intimate party at home than going out. Staying in = less drama. 

Just like the birthday party the week before I organized everything and made all the food. We had of course plenty of cheese, olives, pickles, assorted crackers and dips. These 5 alone could be considered as being a basic cocktail party spread, because come on, who does not like all these delicious things?

What I believe played an important role in the success of the party is the fact that everything was planned out in advance; we had all the ice and cups you could need. Also, I completely repurposed all the furniture and created new seating areas that were more "party friendly".

The highlight was the paninis we were making throughout the evening: prosciutto, arugula, parmesan, balsamic reduction and tomato on a ciabatta bun. Delicious. Our panini grill is now our main source of nourishment, its just so fast and easy and fun and healthy!

Oh also, look at our awesome outdoor bar! We live in Canada so might as well take advantage of the shitty weather. This is called a Canadian fridge!

Attempted first foodie video

Here is a little video I made before Christmas with my friend Dana while preparing  for a cocktail party I was throwing for my best friend's 21's birthday.

And yes, I was slightly intoxicated... you just can't say no to a bottle of bubbles.

We were having the party in her brand new loft so i wanted to match the party with the fabulous locale. We had champagne cocktails, plenty of cheese and cold cuts, smoked salmon and guacamole on cucumber, home made pita crisps, delicious cake, outdoor minibar... etc. But what excited me the most was preparing these delicious bite sized Prosciutto and basil wrapped, goat cheese stuffed dates baked in the oven. 

They were like little bites of heaven, crispy and salty and sweet and savory and creamy. It was pretty badass. All you have to do is put them in the oven at 375 for 10 minutes and voila!

Menswear goes gaga

People who follow Lady Gaga closely know that her stylist, Nicola Formichetti, was appointed creative director of Thierry Mugler, a very legit french fashion house. Back in the 80's and 90's Mugler was the hot ticket item. With bold designs and a super flamboyant namesake designer, the brand was über successeful and launched the iconic Angel perfume. Then, Thierry became obsessed with body building and basically left his own brand to concentrate on perfecting his body. Oh, the things rich people can do.

Fast forward to 2010 and Nicola Formichetti is put in charge of reviving the brand, which had pretty much become obsolete to the newer generations. Months before the announcement was made, both Lady Gaga and Beyonce have worn multiple vintage Thierry Mugler outfits... that was probably a hint of things to come.

Today Nicola presented his first collection, F/W 2011. From what I can tell he's off to a good start, he showed extremely sharp tailoring that would look amazing on skinny lads like me, as well as interesting coats. The model casting was quite interesting to say the least and the only negative I could find was the odd fabric clouds covering certain models, but I guess Fashion is supposed to be a "show"...

And now the BIG kicker for GAGA enthusiasts like me... she created an exclusive soundtrack for the runway show which will be available for viewing online tomorrow at 6pm. I know, I know its hard to wait that long but head over to THIERRY MUGLER and listen to the mood music... I am PRETTY sure it is a remixed snippet of Lady Gaga's new material, and I think it's just so dreamy and wonderful! I honestly think her new album is going to be out of this world. 

New Art Mojo

So I used to paint a lot before I moved out. Back then I had a whole basement for myself and I could spread out my stuff and not really worry about the mess. In the apartment however, I barely have enough place to spread out my bills. Randomly, yesterday, I purchased four colors of paint and three canvases. The kicker though is that I got all that at the Dollorama for about 11$! In one night I completed a painting for the first time in two years!

So here it is, a little "triptique". Renée thinks it looks like a sparkly cocktail. Try to figure it out!

Hopefully it will go in my friend's loft that I am decorating.