Last night I went to see ‘The Ghost Writer’ and all I can suggest is run, don’t walk to the movie theater, if the film is currently playing in your city. Or if it’s not, demand it at your local movie theater to experience amazing movie making, the way films should be done. Roman Polanski is at his very best here, and even at his mediocre he is way better than most contemporary filmmakers. If you are looking for a full review, I think I’ll leave the honors to the New York Times and the insightful Manohla Dargis, who is at her typically intelligent, verbose and critical self. And I will give away the ending - of her review - by saying that she LOVED the film!

Unfortunately, Polanski the man has what I can only describe as a speck of smut on his human resume. I just had to answer back at the girl outside the theater - who BTW tried to impose a forty-five minute survey on my friend and I for a pathetic monster film titled ‘Predator’ I would never dream of seeing, let alone review - when she pointed out that in support of the 13-year old girl who was raped back in the 70s she would not see the film. “Then you must also definitely avoid listening to Michael Jackson’s music - God rest his soul - by that standard?” I left her speechless, which was not an easy thing. Needless to point out that I am in full support of great filmmakers, who may - in real life - not turn out to be the perfect image of a great citizen. Great art is meant to be independent of the personality of the artist.

In my slight experience with directors and stars - through my work - I have come to realize that a great filmmaking masterpiece does not a perfect human being require. Particularly when it comes to those films that hold our attention in their wickedness and fright factor. Take my favorite Hindi cinema director - who shall at this stage remain nameless - who has been winning multiple awards for a very dark film of his. His next is even darker and delves deeper into the horror of human nature, but you won’t get the story from me, unfortunately. I am nothing if not loyal and though I have read the entire script and still think about it in my sleep, not a peep. Even if such director only seems to want to be my friend when I can do something for him… See, that’s the way of the movies. It’s all a great illusion, but far from the reality of the men behind that vision. And anyway, you can’t expect an angelic man to make films such as ‘Rosemary’s Baby’.

The acting in the film is superb from all points. From Kim Cattrall to Pierce Brosnan to Olivia Williams, to my beloved teenage idol Timothy Hutton (all grown up and fabulous!) and the dozen maxi cameos that pop in and out of the screen, this is one ensemble piece that simply screams super talents!

Now, some personal thoughts on ‘The Ghost Writer’ itself. I absolutely adore Ewan McGregor and he did not disappoint in any way in this film. Actually, the mark of a great actor is the absence from his work of any sign of struggle with their portrayal of the character. I read that Polanski had a huge issue with McGregor’s accent at the beginning of filming, but in the finished product, I completely forgot he is Scottish and does not naturally speak in the perfect Queen’s English that he sports for his role at the Ghost. Also for the logical reasons of Polanski’s issues in the US, the film was not filmed on Martha’s Vineyard but in Germany and again the director here is the magician. I never thought about it once, during the whole screening. Even people who know the island extensively, were surprised at how accurate the character of the place was in the film. The film does have a hang-up for me, since I do not get what the current British PM is doing in the US with a local cell number and awaiting  conveniently nearby for the Ghost to call him, but I have not found another critic out there with a similar problem so I’ll chuck it all up to oversensitive film viewing on my part…

At last, in this age of ‘3 Idiots’ and writers being shoved aside for the sake of nonsense, Polanski gives screenplay co-writing credit to Robert Harris, the author of the book ‘The Ghost’ which the film is based on. The website for the film opens with the words “Based on the Best-Selling novel by Robert Harris”. Kudos to Polanski for everything he has done. And this comes from a woman who would never have been allowed near him at age 13… My parents would have been a human shield. So, I say, the issue is just a bit more complex than most make it to be.

Images courtesy of Roman Polanski Films - except portrait of director by IGN.com

Hey, I am just as enthralled as the next girl with high fashion, but these days am less than taken with the outrageous price tags. I love the new Balmain distressed military looks for Spring/Summer 2010 - OK, all except that weird diaper dress in the middle - but can’t see myself paying $1,500 and upward for a t-shirt with a bunch of holes! I could, on the other hand, see myself wearing such a t-shirt…

Lucky for me, Zara has a couple of options of military style Ts with metal details and lots of strategically placed holes, for the grand ol’ price of $29.90. THAT I can totally see myself paying! Came home with two, but might return one as two peek-a-boo t-shirts might end up being overkill and I should save some of my money for a copy of the jacket that goes with it… Which I’ll probably find at Forever 21.

Sorry M. Christophe Decarnin, but some of us have to pay the rent and eat… Anyway, felt like sharing the wealth, it was such a great find. N-joy!

Images courtesy of Balmain

I just tried Ciao Bella’s Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip gelato and it’s divine! Truly the taste of mint leaves from a bunch picked up fresh from the Farmer’s Market, mixed with some high quality dark bittersweet chocolate, which in my book is the stuff dreams are made of. Instead of going on and on about this, I simply will point you to the Ciao Bella website and you can take it from there. But don’t expect a wintergreen chewing gum mint taste, this is like having a mint salad ice cream, without the chewy leaves of course, much lovelier and sweeter.

If you live in the New York area then you’re in luck, since Key Food Supermarket is running a Buy One GetOne Free promotion for Ciao Bella gelato this week, which works out to paying $2.50 a pint. And I highly recommend their Malted Milk Balls flavor or their Chocolate Hazelnut to go along with your Fresh Mint. But don’t wait too long, this will all be gone come next Friday. I braved a blizzard for my gelato today. Not asking for a medal, eating it will be reward enough…

Of course, if chocolate in your ice cream is not your cup of tea, you can pick any of Ciao Bella’s delicious sorbets or fresh fruit gelato. I have a friend who swears by their Coconut, but the new Key Lime Pie concoction can’t be anything less than fabulous… Enjoy the snow and eat more ice cream. It’s good for you… Or rather, your mood.

Images courtesy of Ciao Bella

Been in the mood for this lately. Awww, forget being in the mood, I’ve craved it all month. Finally decided to find the recipe and it’s way easier than I thought, especially since the advent of Trader Joe’s on Union Square and their fabulous teas and inexpensive pine nuts. Try it out, it’s edible to the last pignoli, appealing and quite fun as a conversation starter…

You’ll need:

To prepare:

Heat the water, just under boiling. Place tea leaves, mint, sugar and water in a teapot and let steep, three minutes minimum. Place the pine nuts in tea glasses - you know the kind that are sold in fabulous Moroccan shops all colorful and light?! - and strain the tea into each glass. Of course, a bit of tea leaves and mint in there only adds to this exotic, comforting drink. 

Ever crave a light and fluffy noodle sometimes? No, I’m not talking about soba noodles or rice noodles. I’m talking about No-Yolks noodles. These noodles have such a great texture, have fiber and are so light! They are awesome because you can cook them in anything and they will absorb the flavor of your ingredients. The other day I decided to experiment with No-Yolks noodles and made a great recipe that would be delicious as a side dish with beef, chicken or fish.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Prepare the noodles as instructed on the back of the No-Yolks package, reserving one cup of the cooking liquid when done. Keep the noodles in a large pot.

In a sauté pan, add the oil when the pan is hot..  

On medium heat, sauté the onions, tomatoes and cilantro for about 3 minutes.  

Add the jalapeno and sauté for another minute.  

Add the Worcestershire Sauce, garlic, adobo and onion powder. Add the reserved one cup of liquid from the noodles. Allow this to boil down until the sauce thickens.

Add the sauce to the noodles and toss to coat. Garnish with cilantro.  

Serve this dish hot and enjoy! Serves 6

Top image courtesy of Strom Products

Over the years, some of the funniest and most innovative sitcoms on TV have developed out of great Stand-Up comedy acts and many of those comedians got their start at Caroline’s on Broadway. Call it the original Comedy Central! Engendered, of course, you know well here at The Ajnabee as the organization that has brought you fabulous fashion, fantastic films and famous filmmakers, all in the span of a few months. 

It is then with great anticipation that I await to catch comedians Shazia Mirza, Hari Kondabolu, Anu Kalra, Monrok and headliner Vidur Kapur this coming Wednesday and Thursday - Feb. 24 and 25 - at Caroline’s. And there is even an afterparty at K-Lounge where the audience will be encouraged to meet the charming comedians and comediennes up close and personal. I know I can’t wait…

To find out more about the charming and hilarious Vidur Kapur, do check out this recent interview of mine on AVS TV’s blog. Having met Kapur in person on more than one occasion, I find him wonderfully open and refreshingly sweet, two qualities that I’m sure will make his Stand-Up act even more insightful. It is exactly this candor and honesty that have prompted him to come out and become the first openly gay South Asian comedian. It’s a title he wears proudly though it may not have always helped in his career. Regardless, Kapur is now on his way to a sparkling future and, who knows, maybe his own sitcom soon… He certainly has all the cards in place for that to happen.

For tickets to Indophile click here. Buy them soon though, as the event is nearly sold out. 

See you there and don’t forget to pack your sense of humor!

We all have days when we’ve worked late and do not have too much time to prepare a healthy meal. Don’t let your late work day get in the way. Get a little help from pre-made seasonings and you can still have yourself a healthy meal. Pre-made seasonings are an inexpensive, quick way to flavor a meal. However, do be aware that pre-made seasonings can have a lot of sodium. Try to buy salt-free seasonings – such as Mrs. Dash brand - or, if you cannot find salt-free or reduced sodium, omit the salt in your cooking process. I hope you’ll enjoy my recipe for Apple Seared Shrimp, with the help of Old Bay Seasoning.  

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1TB of olive oil
• 1TB of balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• Old Bay Seasoning

Preparation:

Put the shrimp in a bowl and coat with Old Bay Seasoning and balsamic vinegar. Once fully coated, add the oil to a sauté pan and place on medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp and allow searing for one minute on each side. Once seared, add the apple cider vinegar and scrape up the bits on the bottom of the pan (this will form a tangy sauce or dressing).  

Place on a bed of greens and enjoy! Servings: 4

A short bio of Kanwal:

My name is Kanwal Ullah. I am a 27 year old IT Professional living in good old Jersey City, NJ. As some of you may know, I have a deep passion for healthy living. Most importantly, healthy living starts with what you put in your body. Therefore, my passion also exists in healthy cooking. When I’m not in the kitchen working on healthy recipes, you can find me at the gym or roaming the streets of NYC for great food finds. Born as the daughter of two wonderful Pakistani parents, I particularly crave the culture and food from my ancestors. However, I do not like the fat and calories that have crossed continents to get to me! My passion has developed into revamping our South Asian Cuisine to make it more heart healthy and figure friendly! Bon Appetit!

Alright, so that dreaded day is approaching, the day when all your married or otherwise involved girlfriends (or male buddies, we are an equal opportunity blog here at The Ajnabee!) get chocolates, flowers, jewelry and even a romantic dinner invitation from their men/gals. I have a few words of advice to survive the 14th of February, if you should find yourself - gasp! - single for the occasion. Point one, do notice your friends’ mates. Hum… not exactly what you would go for? It is probably such types who have kept you single until now, am I right?!

Anyway, point two, St. Valentine was “MARTYRED” on the 14th of February 269 A.D.. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the term, it is hardly cause for celebration! Apparently, right before his execution, St. Valentine sent a note to his jailor’s daughter, who had become a dear friend during his incarceration, and signed it ”From Your Valentine”, thus starting the current card trend so beloved by the folks at Hallmark.

It is in the spirit of this last factoid that I suggest honoring Valentine’s holiday by spending it with your best single friends. Go to a trendy bar and order the priciest and most intricate drinks on their menu or find a great place to have proper tea. In the case of an all-male outing, of course a sports bar also works, in lieu of tea. In NYC, I suggest Merc Bar in Soho for some amazing martinis as well as the sultry ambiance, or Lady Mendl’s inside The Inn at Irving Place for a cozy four-course tea. While in London, The Ritz still stands above all the rest for high tea and it’s a great place to have glitzy drinks as well. As an added bonus, you can people-watch all those couples walking by, most of whom do not look half as joyous as one would expect.

On the other hand, lets say that going out just doesn’t sound like such a great idea on a frigid February night. I do have some suggestions for a great, romantic night alone at home. YES - you read right - I did write “romantic” and “alone” in the same sentence. I am a firm believer that being single should never mean feeling lonely! My favorite Valentine evening would involve a hot milk bath with Jasmine essential oil sprinkled in, a special face masque - made by combining yogurt, a drizzle of honey and 5 drops of Rose essential oil - a great book - try something wicked like ‘Best Women’s Erotica 2010′ or a warm, romantic and sultry read like ‘The Mango Season’ by Amulya Malladi - some high quality L.A. Burdick chocolates and a large cup of steaming hot chocolate, care of Jacques Torres. Replace Ylang Ylang E.O. for the men reading this, still sweet but won’t leave you smelling like a eunuch, and use the same oil for your face masque. Reading material, well one Sports Illustratedjumps to mind, as well as Dan Brown’s latest ‘The Lost Symbol’. 

Finish off the evening with a Prosecco cocktail, easily made with inexpensive Martellozzo Prosecco from Trader Joe’s, a couple of canned lychees and a sprig of mint thrown in. Then, maybe even throw in a DVD like ‘Love Happens’ or ‘NY I Love You’ and you’ve got the perfect single girl’s - and boy’s of course - Valentine bash!

Before you go on thinking that I am referring to some odd sex game and start feeling all titillated about it, I mean the kind of dates that grow on palms (yes, I almost wrote ‘trees’ but corrected myself at the last minute?!) and are found in the desert… NOT the tall, charming and handsome kind that come to pick me up at the door and take me to some fab restaurants for wonderful nights out on the town. We’ll get back to that discussion, another place another time…

On a recent episode of ‘Inside the Middle East’ on CNN - hosted by the glamorous and intelligently gorgeous Hala Gorani, who has become one of my favorite women on TV - Gorani herself stopped by a gourmet date shop in a Dubai Mall. She was offered a taste of each treat in the shop, and between her delighted exultations and my overactive imagination, I’ve spent every night since then dreaming about those little pearls of deliciousness that Middle Eastern dates can be. She tried them stuffed with nuts and caramel, rolled in coconut and covered in chocolate and I tell you, I haven’t been able to think of anything else since. Forget the typical - read: BORING! - Valentine chocolate, I’m ordering a variety pack of gourmet dates for the upcoming holiday and have just the perfect places in mind for you to do the same.

While the fabulous Kanwal Ullah - check out her food column this week, it’s all chocolate and Valentine inspired for the occasion - suggested making a batch of chocolate covered dates and dropping then by my apartment (she is my idea of a FABULOUS woman, both generous and talented!) I really wanted to find a variety of flavors and a place that would deliver. Lucky for me - and The Ajnabee readers of course - Sphinx Ranch in Arizona has just what I craved. The Royal Red Gift Box 2 Layer Medjool Dates Varieties is exactly what I had in mind: partly nutty, partly coconutty, partly chocolate covered, all delicious dates and only $36 plus shipping! Oh, and lets not forget that these dates don’t require conversation at dinner OR shaving my legs for the occasion…

Of course, now that I’m into the fruity date - but of course have not given up on the manly kind - I am coming across loads of great resources. I remembered visiting a date farm near Palm Desert in California with my Dad, back in the days, and have found their website - Oasis Date Garden. Their product is divine, so am a bit torn about ordering from California or Arizona… Hum. The Oasis’ 3-pound Treasure Box for $54 plus shipping is tempting me. Oh, what the hey! I’ll order from both. After all, dates are high in fiber and very, very yummy. And that’s good enough for me, until the real thing comes along…

Images courtesy of Oasis Date Garden, Sphinx Ranch and CNN

By Kanwal Ullah

Last year on Valentine’s Day, my mom called in the evening. She said ‘You didn’t call to say Happy Valentine’s Day to me’. It suddenly occurred to me, for every year that I can think of, I’ve always called my mom and have said ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’ to her on February 14th. I don’t know why I missed the one year to say it to my mom, but I realized that Valentine’s Day is not just for partners, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife. No, to me Valentine’s Day is just another day to express your love to ANYONE you love! I personally believe that you do not need to pay special attention to one day out of the year to display your love for others. However, this day does allow those who do not express their love too often, to display their affection. So, ladies and gentlemen, remember, Valentine’s Day is not just for you and your significant other; let your family and friends know just how much you appreciate them in your life!

OK, so why not show your loved ones how much you care about them by making them a box of hazelnut truffles for Valentine’s Day?!

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Pour the heavy cream into a large bowl and add the chocolate chips and hazelnut extract. Carefully microwave this for 30 seconds, and then stir. Microwave again for 15 seconds, and then stir again to incorporate the chips and cream. If needed, continue to microwave on 10 second intervals and stir until the chocolate and cream become one. Once done, place bowl in the refrigerator for 2 hours to harden. Remove bowl from the refrigerator and allow to slightly thaw on the counter for 10 minutes. In the meantime, place your truffle coatings onto separate plates, to easily roll the truffles in. 

With a tablespoon, scoop out a small ball of chocolate and quickly form into a small ball. These do not have to be perfect. In fact, chocolate truffles get their name to resemble the truffles that grow in the ground! Once the ball is formed, roll in one of the coatings. Repeat this process and continue to coat in different coatings.

Enjoy!