Video Monday #4

Yet again, it's not Monday...



But here's a video for ya. I'm not a fan of the song (yet.) But this video made my stomach growl. As far as lyric videos go, Katy Perry's Birthday really impressed me! I can tell it took a lot of hard work to make. So here's a kudos to the production team. And it doesn't hurt that it's so saccharine sweet I feel like I'm gonna puke. Those macarons totally have my name on them. Ugh.

Mado - Delicious Turkish Dondurma

In lieu of my recent trip to Istanbul, I feel like I have to talk about the not so best kept secret of the city, DONDURMA! Or ice cream to us anglophiles. In this perennial palace of sweets, (scattered in almost every neighborhood) you'll find baklavas, cakes, and syrup drenched kunafas that will hug your hips and thighs tight as you munch them down your shameless mouth. It's a carnival of sweet sin in here. You'll have to walk it off by climbing one of the seven hills this city has on offer. And believe me, each hill is steeper than the next!

My favorite flavor is sade, or plain. Ok so it's basically milk. It's Turkey's answer to my Italian favorite Fior di Latte. Ice cream or Gelato's oriental cousin is special in that, it's umm chewy. So chewy and thick that some eat it with a knife and fork! What gives it it's unique texture is the addition of mastic resin and sahlep powder. Both these ingredients change the structure of the ice cream and lower its melting point. Thus when the mixture is partially frozen, they use large paddles to whisk, knead or beat the ice cream to develop elasticity. Mystery solved!

So the next time you find yourself in the Orient, have a go at Mado. Let me know which flavor is your favorite! 

PS. The kunafa with a scoop of ice cream is dangerous. Proceed at your own risk. 

MADO can be found all over Turkey. It's like Chilis or something.

MADO in Dubai is located at DIFC and Dubai Mall.

Chef - My Kind of Movie

Ok let's face it. This video Monday thing isn't going the way I planned. (Insert sad pouty face) But I incidentally have a trailer for a movie coming out this summer called Chef that I'd like to share. Now I assume anyone reading this will be excited about it because hey, you're reading a food blog. Also you are human. You eat to stay alive. And chances are you like to eat well, and often. So why would you not get excited about a movie about FOOD?! 

The movie follows what seems like the typical rubric for chefs who quit their restaurant job and follow their dream of opening up their own place (or taco truck.) Passé? Maybe. But I for one am glad that a chef story is actually going to be in cinemas. So other people who aren't culinary nerds can see what this world is all about. And finally my parents will understand the life I want to live!!! But first I need to have a talk with my ego. Ego is getting in the way of my dreams via fear. A movie like this one just might inspire me. But I digress. 

Check the trailer out....below!

http://youtu.be/wgFws3AoIUY 

PS. Ladies...Robert Downey Jr is in it!

Fellas...Scarlett Johansson is in it! PLUS Sofia Vergara!! 

Iron Man and Black Widow FTW! #marvelnerd

...and Gloria. My homegirl :)