Friday, April 3, 2015

Tracks of the Month: March

Here are 5 tracks I've loved during the month of March 2015:



1.  Dress by Sylvan Esso (Indie Electronic): 











2. Pedestrian at Best by Courtney Barnett (Alternative):














3. Somebody by Natalie La Rose ft. Jeremih (Pop):












4. Apparently by J. Cole (Rap):











 5. You Know You Like It remix by DJ Snake/AlunaGeorge (Trap):










 *Links for mobile:
1. Dress ~ Sylvan Esso
2. Pedestrian at Best ~ Courtney Barnett
3. Somebody ~ Natalie La Rose
4  J. Cole ~ Apparently 
5. You Know You Like It ~ DJ Snake/AlunaGeorge

Ciao,

       Monique

Monday, March 30, 2015

How to Make Tortilla Española



Tapas (Spanish-style appetizers) are one of the most renowned delicacies of Spain.  One of them in particular is tortilla española.  Tortilla española is a Spanish-style omelette containing potatoes.  Other variations include add-ins such as chorizo, veggies and whatever else the cook's heart desires.  

I first learned about tortilla española in my Spanish II class.  My teacher encouraged us to make the dish and I took up the challenge.

Here is my video (Head's up, it's all in Spanish):





Recipe:

Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 white onion, chopped
4 eggs, scrambled in a large bowl
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil until the pan is filled halfway. Once the oil is hot, add the potato slices and onion, making sure they are well-covered by the oil; add more oil if necessary. Cook for 20 minutes until the potatoes and onions are soft. Drain the oil and combine the potato mixture with the eggs. Add the salt and mix well.

In a 10-inch by 2 1/2 inch deep nonstick skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Pour in the potato, egg, and onion mixture. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the bottom of the omelet is very light brown. Using a flat ceramic plate, cover the frying pan and flip the omelet over onto the plate. Immediately slip the uncooked side back into the pan. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the other side is a very light brown.

Remove the omelet from the pan to a plate and cut into 4 wedges.

*Recipe courtesy Tapas y Tintos

Tip: Try pairing it with some fresh salsa

Ciao,

       Monique


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Spring Break: Miami








Me at the Falls Shopping Mall

 Miami is a hot place to be, and I'm not just talking about the temperature.  The vibrant culture and energy is truly what makes Miami hot.   

Although I've lived in Florida all of my life, I've never truly explored the vibrancy of Miami in depth.  My family and I have always passed through the city, not enjoying what it has to offer.  

Being the curious and slightly adventurous child that I am, I asked if we could go and REALLY experience Miami, at least the PG version of it.

We started by hanging out by Bayside and taking a boat tour of the luxurious celebrity houses on Miami's neighboring Star and Fisher islands.







Another day we immersed ourselves into the crazy South Beach atmosphere as we walked down Lincoln Road.  Luckily we were just in time for the Farmer's Market!      



But despite all of the sightseeing, the true highlight of Miami is the food!
I can't tell you how many café con leches and cortaditos I've indulged in

Cuban sandwich at Casavana

medianoche with plantain chips at Versailles 


Especially our dinner at Versailles.  Versailles is probably the most popular Cuban restaurant in Miami, and rightfully so.  




I ordered Lechon Asado (pork) with yuca y arroz moros (boiled cassava and rice seasoned and cooked along with black beans).






Very good croquetas de bacalao with a jazzy cilantro sauce

don't worry, it's virgin (and really good)
café con leche

flan
I hope to be back in Miami soon!

Link for Mobile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVuyj_bRNIA


 Ciao,

       Monique

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Tracks of the Month: February

Here are 5 tracks I've loved during the month of February 2015:



1.  Feel Safe by All We Are (Psychedelic Boogie): 











2. Wa Ha by Lisa Mitchell (Relaxing/Singer-Songwriter):














3. Lover's Block by Seahorse Divorce (Indie Rock):










4. Doubt by Kele (Electronic):









 5. All The Rage Back Home by Interpol (Alternative):









 *Links for mobile:
1. Feel Safe~ All We Are
2. Wa Ha ~ Lisa Mitchell
3. Lover's Block ~ Seahorse Divorce
4  Kele ~ Doubt
5. All The Rage Back Home ~ Interpol

Ciao,

       Monique


Sunday, February 8, 2015

Chilly Day at the Beach



Sometimes you need to get away from the commotion of life and appreciate the beautiful world around us.  For a Floridian, the beach is a perfect solution to do just that.  

In celebration of my best friend's 16th birthday, we spent a relaxing Saturday evening at Melbourne Beach.  








We ate dinner at Sand on the Beach Bikini Bar, situated by the beach shore.  With patio side seating, the restaurant  provided a spectacular view of the ocean.  

Sand on the Beach Bikini Bar

Piña Colada

Blackened Mahi Tacos

Later we went to Melbourne Square Mall and indulged in some lovely macarons at Le Macaron.


Link for Mobile

Ciao,

       Monique

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Tracks of the Month: January

A tad late (sorry) but here are 5 tracks I've loved during the month of January 2015:



1.  Wrong Direction by British India (Indie Rock): 









2. East Harlem by Beirut (Indie Folk:












3. Lost That Easy by Cold War Kids (Indie Rock):










4. No Type by Rae Sremmurd (Rap):











 5. Make Me Wanna by Thomas Rhett (Country):








 *Links for mobile:
1. Wrong Direction ~ British India
2. East Harlem ~ Beirut
3. Lost That Easy ~ Cold War Kids
4  No Type ~ Rae Sremmurd
5. Make Me Wanna ~ Thomas Rhett

Ciao,

       Monique


Photo Creds:

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/BI1.jpg
http://www.clevescene.com/binary/0c87/1322573575-beirut.jpg
http://wttsfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cold-War-Kids1.png
https://allhiphop.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/rae-sremmurd1.jpeg
http://forthecountryrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/thomas-rhett.jpg

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Flat White Craze

Flat White: an coffee beverage developed in Australia and New Zealand; similar to a cappuccino and consists of coffee and milk with two ristretto shots; noted for its strong taste and velvety consistency  



Starbucks recently came out with their version of the traditional flat white.  Since then, the drink has been trending in the American coffee community.  Let's face it, Starbucks is basically the voice of the American coffee community by practically monopolizing the U.S coffee industry.

When I heard Starbucks came out with the drink I was ecstatic to try it.  The drink was quite delectable and something I would definitely order again.  However after visiting Whole Foods Market and seeing the Allegro coffee bar selling their rendition, I had to partake.  Turns out, I actually preferred Allegro's version of the drink and the price difference is quite shocking.

Starbucks Tall Flat White (12 oz): starting from $3.75 (price varies in different regions) = strong and smooth, but not necessarily tasty
Allegro Flat White (12 oz): $1.75 = strong and smooth with a tasty finish

More bang for you buck in my opinion!


Ciao,

       Monique