Gung Ho

This Week's Film: Gung Ho
Cuisine: Japanese

Many, many years ago, not long before I embarked upon my own Japan adventure, I had the pleasure of seeing Gung Ho on video. Not only is it an endearing comedy, but it also provided a glimpse into the subtleties of Japanese culture that awaited me, especially with regard to the corporate world. Throughout the years, Gung Ho has remained high on my list of favorite films, and has held up remarkably well over time. Here is the NetFlix synopsis:

“When Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton) persuades a Japanese auto firm to reopen his hometown's defunct auto factory, he's a hero. But when the Japanese hire him to enforce their policies among his American co-workers, he goes from hero to zero in seconds flat! It's a head-on cultural collision that's enough to upset the world's balance of laughter in this great comedy by director Ron Howard.”

My film review will be posted at the end of the week, along with my Toshikoshi Noodle recipe.

For questions or comments send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:37 AM PST Permalink |

Gung Ho and Toshikoshi Noodles

This Week's Film: Gung Ho
Cuisine: Japanese

With the current state of the economy (the auto industry in particular), what better way to start off the New Year (and my new weekly blog format) than with the uplifting comedy classic Gung Ho, and a traditional Japanese New Year noodle dish to go with it.

Join me this week on Chopstick Cinema for a closer look at the food and the film. The recipes and my film review will be posted at the end of the week.

For questions or comments send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

02:28 AM PST Permalink |

So Many Films, So Little Time

A couple of months ago, I began researching films to feature in 2009. But in the process, the list became so long and tempting that I was having trouble narrowing it down to only twelve. So I decided that it was time for a change.

Beginning tomorrow, I will be launching a new blog format, one in which I will be featuring a film every week instead of once a month, and instead of a five-course meal to go with each film, I will be selecting only one dish from the cuisine of that country. Believe it or not, I have already chosen 50 films for 2009, and the list goes on...

For questions or comments send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

02:42 AM PST Permalink |

Back in “The Zone”

After the feeding frenzy that was my holiday season, I’m feeling inclined to get back to the simple things and maybe shed a few pounds. I’m not overweight by any standards, but I’d like to get back to the svelte self I enjoyed in my youth. So I’m going to return to “The Zone”, a dietary philosophy that has served me well in the past. Of course, I may have to deviate from it on occasion to enjoy the Asian dishes that I prepare for Chopstick Cinema.

For questions or comments send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:45 AM PST Permalink |

To Japan With Love

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the day I began working on my latest book: To Japan With Love. Ordinarily writing a book doesn’t take nearly this long, however, this one has undergone several incarnations, and I’m pleased to say is finally in the last stages of the editing and fact checking phase. And if all goes according to plan, I will be finished with it at the end of the month. I live in hopes…

For questions or comments send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:08 AM PST Permalink |

Happy New Year!

Wishing you Health, Happiness and Prosperity in 2009, the Year of the Ox.

12:23 PM PST Permalink |

Happy New Year's Eve

This year, as always, I'm going to spend New Year's Eve at home with my son Will, enjoying a gourmet dinner and watching 'The Ball' drop on Times Square.

For dinner this year, I found lobster tails on sale at half price, and got a bargain on a couple of plump filet mignons, both of which will be broiled. To precede the main course, I'm making a Lobster Thermidor appetizer, a pot of the best seafood bisque ever, and a spinach salad topped with bacon and shiitake mushrooms. To accompany the broiled lobster tails and filet mignon, I'll be serving a medley of pan-roasted baby vegetables. And for dessert, Bananas Foster flambé. And of course...lots of champagne.

Good food and good company...a fitting farewell to 2008, and an auspicious beginning for a brand new year.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

12:59 AM PST Permalink |

What a delicious and entertaining year of food and film it's been. So much so that I'm devoting today's post to a 2008 Cinematic and Culinary Retrospective:

The year commenced in January with The Bridge on the River Kwai and a richly spicy Sri Lankan-inspired menu featuring Sinhalese Pickled Vegetables, Spicy Vinegared Shrimp, Curried Ribs, Fish Curry, Spiced Rice, Cucumber and Tomatoes in Yogurt, and Spirited Tropical Fruit Salad. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

In February, for Valentine's Day, I chose The Harmonium in My Memory, and a hearty and unusual Korean menu featuring an array of classic dishes, including Quick and Easy Kimchi, Daikon Pickles, Kimbap Sushi, Bulgogi Beef Ribs, Pajun Pancakes, and a popular Korean favorite, Bibim Bap. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

In March, I watched an endearing little film titled Magnifico, with a Philippine menu of Salmon Kinnilaw with mango and avocado, Deep-Fried Lumpia (one of the most tasty appetizers I've ever made), Pancit noodles with shrimp and spicy linguica, a piquant Shrimp Escabeche, a rich and hearty Pork Adobo, and a silky Crème Caramel. Here is a link to the Recipes & Photos.

My April film was the opulent Farewell My Concubine with an unusual menu of Chinese dishes featuring Imperial Mushrooms, Tofu Delight, Lemon Blossom Soup, MaPo Tofu, Fiery Ginger Fish, Hot and Sour Cabbage and Forbidden Rice. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

The month of May was devoted to Lawrence of Arabia and a Middle Eastern menu featuring a savory array of international dishes, including Pan-Fried Chickpeas, Black Bean Hummus, Falafel with Tahini, Snapper with Savory Tomato Sauce, Lamb Kefta Kebabs, Spicy Tunesian Carrots, Rice-Couscous-Lentil Pilav, and Yogurt Fritters with Rose-Scented Syrup. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

The film selection for June was Lord Jim, and an array of Cambodian inspired appetizers features Seafood Rice Paper Rolls, Deep-Fried Spring Rolls, Spicy Chicken Wings, Tender Beef Skewers with Chili Dipping Sauce, Grilled Shrimp Pate Skewers, Roasted Pork Ribs, Golden Fish Cakes, Shrimp Stir-Fry with Mushrooms and Baby Corn, and Spicy Noodles with Asian Vegetables. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

In July, I chose Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, the story of a Japanese man who travels to China to videotape a mask opera for his dying son, with a menu of Chinese dishes that are especially popular in Japan, including Pork-Filled Gyoza, Deep-Fried Spring Rolls, MaPo Tofu, Tonkotsu Ramen, Ebi Chili, Subuta, and Lemon Mango Pudding. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

August took me down The Spiral Road to Indonesia, with a menu of Pickled Vegetable Medley, Indonesian Spring Rolls, Curry Pork-Filled Sticky Rice Balls, Dutch Fried-Rice Croquettes, Spicy Indonesian Noodles, Tamarind Chicken, Balinese Catfish, Mango Ginger Chicken, Indonesian Fried Rice, and Curry Pineapple Kebabs with Coconut Milk. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

For September, I chose the Somerset Maugham classic The Razor's Edge, which is partly set in Nepal, so the hearty Nepali-style menu featured crispy-fried Lamb Tareko tidbits, lamb-filled Momo dumplings with Tomato Achar, Chatamari Rolls filled with chicken and goat cheese, Lamb and Barley Soup, Chow Chow Noodles with chicken and vegetables, and a savory Goat Curry. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

In October, in honor of the Sukkot festival, I chose Ushpizin, and a menu of traditional Jewish dishes, including homemade Gefilte Fish, Matzo Ball Soup, Roasted Vegetable Salad, Chicken Schnitzel Rolls, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Potato Knishes, and Brandied Fruit. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

November' film feature was Woman in the Dunes, with an Osaka-style menu featuring a rich and savory array of dishes that includes a light cucumber and baby octopus salad, fried baby octopus tentacles, golden crab cakes, pressed sushi, grilled beef and chicken teriyaki skewers, octopus dumplings, plump udon noodles topped with golden fried tofu, and okonomiyaki vegetable and seafood pancakes. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

And finally, to round out the year, I have featured the epic A Passage to India, with a rich and unusual collection of Bihari-style dishes, including two chutneys, one sweet, one savory; cooling Cucumber Yogurt Raita; a brilliant Chicken Masala, ginger-spiced Pan-fried Spinach Cakes; an aromatic Rice Pilao; a hearty three-bean Daal, and wafer-thin Chapati bread. Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

08:21 PM PST Permalink |

'A Passage to India' Recipes and Photos

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

My 'Passage to India' menu features a rich and unusual collection of Bihari-style dishes, including two chutneys, one sweet, one savory; cooling Cucumber Yogurt Raita; a brilliant Chicken Masala, ginger-spiced Pan-fried Spinach Cakes; an aromatic Rice Pilao; a hearty three-bean Daal, and wafer-thin Chapati bread.

Here is a link to the Recipe & Photos.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

05:45 PM PST Permalink |

Film Review: A Passage to India

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

Social, cultural, and political tensions are the centerpiece of this epic, in which Miss Adela Quested, a naïve young Englishwoman, travels with the elderly Mrs. Moore, her mother-in-law-to-be, to join her fiancé, Ronny Heaslop, a magistrate in colonial India.

Here is a link to the Film Review.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

03:03 PM PST Permalink |

My Own Guitar Heroes

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

A few weeks ago, my son's father received a review copy of Guitar Hero World Tour, and asked Will to take it for a test drive and report his findings. When I learned of this project, I suggested that Will host a Guitar Hero party at my place, which I would cater. He invited six of his closest friends for a sleepover, and for the occasion, I made a buffet of Chili Dogs, Potato Skins, Romaine Spears with Tomatoes, Bacon, and Ranch Dressing, Italian Meatballs, Mini Egg Rolls, Crab and Cucumber Sushi Rolls, Ham and Cheese Tortilla Pinwheels, and Baked Tater Tots. After two days on my feet in the kitchen (truly a labor of love), I'm pleased to say that the party was a rockin' success, and our guests polished off the whole buffet, with compliments to the chef!

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

09:02 PM PST Permalink |

My Extracurricular Films for the Month of December

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

Throughout each month, in addition to my Chopstick Cinema selection, I watch lots of other films. This month, I finally got around to watching some oldies I'd been wanting to see for years.

From Here to Eternity - Who hasn't seen the classic kiss in the surf scene and wondered? After years of wondering myself, I finally got around to watching From Here to Eternity, and am sorry to say, it didn't live up to my expectations. Especially considering the chauvinistic dialogue immediately following that famous kiss. The film stars Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Borgnine, and Jack Warden as an ensemble cast of characters stationed at Pearl Harbor in the days just before the historic attack by the Japanese. Complicated military politics and romantic entanglements make for an interesting plot, but for me, the outdated mores didn't hold up over time. Of course, fans of the romantic classic will no doubt disagree.

Witness for the Prosecution - Another classic that has been on my "to see" list for years. Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, and Elsa Lanchester star in this courtroom drama that surrounds the mysterious murder of a wealthy widow. Charles Laughton is especially distinguished as the cantankerous lawyer who takes on the case while recuperating from a recent heart attack. A wonderful classic with an unexpected ending.

Twelve Angry Men - Yet another classic courtroom drama starring perhaps the best cast of male actors ever assembled in its day. Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Henry Fonda, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovek, and Robert Webber star as the twelve jurors assigned to deliberate a murder case. With Henry Fonda as the lone hold-out on a unanimous guilty verdict, the facts of the case are examined and reexamined over the course of a sweltering evening, until the twelve angry men come to a meeting of the minds. One of the best courtroom dramas ever made.

Merry Christmas - Known in French as Joyeux Noel, this lovely little holiday bijou recounts the historic Christmas Eve cease fire between French, Scottish and German troops on the front lines of World War I. A delight from start to finish, and the perfect choice for our Christmas Eve entertainment.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

01:06 AM PST Permalink |

Merry Christmas

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

With all our Christmas Eve festivities last night, there wasn't much left for Christmas morning except taking it easy. So I'm taking it easy today... Merry Christmas all!

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

05:09 PM PST Permalink |

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

My Christmas Eve dinner was a delicious success. As always, the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp was the tastiest thing on the menu, but the main course, my Salmon with White Chocolate Sauce was a close second. I served it with a Forbidden Rice Pilaf, and Pan-Fried Spinach Cakes. And since there were chocolate truffles under the tree, I was off the hook for the Crème Brulee I'd planned for dessert.

After dinner, we opened gifts and then watched Joyeux Noel, an endearing French film about the famed World War I Christmas Eve cease-fire, in which French, Scottish and German troops set aside their differences for one blessed night. The perfect end to a perfect Christmas Eve.

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

05:05 PM PST Permalink |

Holiday Plans

This Month's Film: A Passage to India
Cuisine: Indian (Bihar)

After three straight weeks spent in the seductively spicy world of Bihari cuisine, I'm ready for a change of palate. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to my holiday cooking. This year, it's going to be gourmet all the way. My son Will is here throughout the entire holiday week, so I'm going to spoil him with the best of everything.

For Christmas Eve, the menu includes Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Steamed Artichokes, Salmon with White Chocolate Sauce, Wild Rice Pilaf, Spinach Timbales, and Crème Brulee. And for New Year's Eve, Lobster Bisque, Spinach Salad with Wild Mushrooms, Broiled Lobster Tails and Filet Mignon Bordelaise, Pan-Roasted Baby Vegetables, and Bananas Foster. Can't hardly wait!

For questions, comments, or to subscribe to Chopstick Cinema's monthly menu and film review, send e-mail to cheiter at thingsasian dot com

03:52 AM PST Permalink |