Cooking food at home is my magic wand and they all appreciate everything about it; from the preparation of ingredients to eating together. This is one great reason why I don't buy processed food or indulge myself in buying instant products at the supermarket. It doesn't mean I dislike them!
I have eaten Roasted Chicken that was cooked and bought from the supermarket, in particular, Garlic Roasted Chicken. The taste was really finger licking good; scrumptious!
When I was at the supermarket last time, I bought a whole chicken and challenged myself to cook my own recipe version of Garlic Roasted Chicken.
Sauce Ingredients:
5 cloves of garlic, crashed
2 slices of onion, chopped
3 tbsps. of Wine Vinegar
½ tsp. Ground pepper
2 tsps. of honey
a pinch of mixed herbs
3 stalks of lemon grass, cut each into 2 (ginger is an option)
salt to taste
Sauce Preparation:
Mix the garlic, onion, vinegar and honey in a saucepan. Stir well.
Add the pepper and mixed herbs. Stir well again.
Add and soak the lemon grass in the mixture.
Once all mixed, bring it to the boil for 3 minutes on a moderate heat.
Let it cool for 5 minutes before adding it to your chicken.
Main Ingredient:
A whole chicken (free range, if possible as the extra flavour is worth the money)
Marinating Procedure:
Wash and rinse the chicken.
Prepare a container and lay the meat in it.
Use a spoon to pour the sauce mixture over the meat. Turn-over and do the same.
Cover the container and leave it for a night (marinating process).
After marinating the chicken, don't throw the sauce mixture. Bring it to the boil and use it as a greasing ingredient when roasting the chicken.
Roasting Procedure:
Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC.
Prepare a roasting tray with rack on it and lay the marinated chicken. As we are using an oven, the tray will hold the excess oil while roasting.
Roast it for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.
Check it every 25-30 minutes and turning it occasionally. Brush the chicken with the boiled sauce mixture.
This is a flavoursome way of roasting a whole chicken and an addtional recipe to be served on the table for your loving family and closests friends this Christmas season as well as the New Year!
A commercial airliner from Berlin, Germany landed and stood still at Kennedy airport, New York. The air traffic controller who was communicating with the perplexed pilots heard some unexplainable turmoil and rattling noises from the passengers on board. He could tell over the push-to-talk controller that everyone was in extreme fear as no one knew what was happening and also, some passengers have turned stationary (according to the pilots). Subsequently, the air traffic communication ended and the commercial airliner landed in silence.
The employees at the Kennedy airport were bewildered and witnesses were shocked with fear. But one thing is for sure, it was the beginning of The Master's resurrection after thousands of quiescence.
Different beacons from authorities flashed unceasingly which almost lit the gloomy atmosphere around the airport. It became more threatening when people in white overall uniforms and a team of scientists from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) arrived in such urgency. They demanded the quarantine of the vicinity before allowing the front passengers' door of the plane to be forcibly opened. The authorities felt the coldness of the interior and were shocked by the static appearance of passengers and the crew. They thought everyone was dead until 4 flustered passengers reached out for help.
Authorities were staggered with the scene and according to Epidemiologist, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and his team, a vile plague had infected the passengers. It was an epidemical disease which was unheard-of and unidentified in the field of science. The unknown plague and its symptoms were obscurely mysterious but if you have been infected, it developed gradually inside the human's anatomy. It is the parasitic symbiosis in which the endoparasite lives within the host's body.
Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll)
The survivors were medically examined but only to discover nothing...
A few days after the commotion at the airport, the unrestrained survivors felt eerie changes in their taste buds and the sunlight's reflection became unbearable through their eyes. To be more specific, their usual food appetite was replaced with the cravings for blood and their congenital eyes, especially the iris & sclera, were pigmented in red. Above all that, they could hear the domineering and diabolical voice of The Master.
The essential core of humanity in the survivors was devoured and replaced with a new breed of immortal vampires called Strigoi. They were once human beings who unfortunately infected by a capillary worm that was introduced into their human bloodstream. This capillary worm hosted the genes of a human and created a virus causing a human to undergo numerous radical physical changes.
When night falls, the infected (soon to be Strigoi) humans loitered around the streets of New York looking for the nutritious blood supply. They surprised the unacquainted locals and sucked the blood out of them using their long, retractable proboscis called “stinger”. Generally speaking, people who were very uninformed of the vile plague news and the new breed of vampires at night were killed and then turned.
No one had immunity from detrimental effects...
Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) was very aware of the disease and strongly warned his estranged wife Kelly Goodweather (Natalie Brown) to move out of New York and protect their only son, Zach (Ben Hyland/Max Charles). Unfortunately, when Kelly decided to move out a worm went through her eye when she was struggling in a fight with her newly infected boyfriend, Matt. Apart from her, Dr. Eph also lost his colleague friend, Jim Ken (Sean Astin), when he became infected during the surprise attacked by the Strigoi at a petrol/convenience store. Moreover, in the succeeding episodes a love affair co-worker of Dr. Eph named Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) electrocuted herself by placing a blade onto the train rail after her wrist was bitten by Kelly Goodweather, now a Strigoi.
Kelly Goodweather (Natalie Brown)
Zach (From Left to Right: Max Charles and Ben Hyland)
Jim Ken (Sean Astin)
Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro)
There were tragic executions of the infected people who were unwilling to participate under The Master's control. On the other hand, there was a developing comradeship who fervently wanted to seek and destroy The Master. Amongst the group were, the holocaust survivor who sculptured The Master's coffin, Professor Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley); the mettlesome rat-exterminator, Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand); the sexually confused British hacker who shut down the internet, Dutch Velders (Ruta Gedmintas) and the head of the CDC Canary team who had a protracted nervous breakdown and booze issue, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll).
Professor Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley)
Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand)
Dutch Velders (Ruta Gedmintas)
All throughout the 3 series, this vehement group penetrated the abyss underground (the nesting site) of New York and exterminated Strigoi with the used of silver weapons and fine silver chemical mist. They also captured a few hive mind infected vampires that Dr. Eph experimented on in order to find evasive cures and discover weaknesses. Additionally, they encountered many times the right hand Strigoi of The Master named Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel) who had an elbow-grease business relationship with Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde). Mr. Palmer was the chairman of the Stoneheart Investment Group and the primary human ally of The Master who financed the buying of Occido Lumen and supported diabolical ideas of exterminating the human existence.
Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel)
Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde)
There was no silver lining...
The uninfected locals moved further away in the hope of starting a new life free from any harmful civilisation. The desertion was protected by a number of authorities who stood to fight the increasing presence of Strigoi. Sadly, a few of them got infected and decided to terminate their own lives.
When the hope of exterminating the Strigoi was getting more difficult and up the creek. Dr Eph and Dutch were able to finish their prototype device which hampered the physical abilities and morbid mental state of the vampires.
The prototype device had proven its main functionality in slowing down the Strigoi. Which is why, it was used in the strategy for placing The Master into the coffin lined with silver. The group operated with the help of a rare dhampir hybrid, Quintus "Quinlan" Sertorius (Ruper Penry-Jones) who had powers to match The Master. They also had the medieval manuscript that held the secrets of how to kill the Master, the Occido Lumen.
Quintus "Quinlan" Sertorius (Ruper Penry-Jones)
The Occido Lumen
The plan was ultimately successful and everyone was in a bliss. As a result, the closest and reliable right hand cronies of The Master were in pandemonium as there was no more monstrous voice that instructed them. However, the capturing of The Master was only short lived as the sullen Zach (Max Charles) carried out the activation button of the nuclear weapon.
There was a massive explosion and vast destruction in the city which led to the freeing of The Master, Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde), once again!
The Hollow is back and no one can stop her! You can either be her worshipper and your allegiance will be rewarded or be her rival and you'll be punished unceasingly by her ruthlessly sadistic supernatural power.
The Mikaelson siblings have lived for thousands of years; they experienced living in woods as well as encountering different breeds of people. Through the years of being immortals, they have also upgraded their physical appearances and refined their personalities. However, the monstrosity that lives in them has created the most cruel vampires with yielded supreme powers. In particular, they have lived from epoch to epoch and slaughtered people without a bad conscience but only enjoyed the rush and sensation of killing the living souls. It is all because of their immortal birth rights as highly-fearful vampires. Generally speaking, the powers for unequalled physical dominance means they get whatever they desire; they accept no truce and they welcome no objections!
Through the years of being omnipotent vampires, the Mikaelson siblings have penetrated kingdoms and invaded counties. They were eminently feared by ordinary living souls and even the venerable & robust witches were scared of them, too. Which is why when they aspired to make New Orleans as their domain home, the residents didn't physically stand against them but just complied with seething resentment.
The self-proclaimed rebellious King of New Orleans, Niklaus "Klaus" Mikaelson, has been an imperially fearsome half-Original Vampire and half-werewolf. He maintained the very rigid and austere Original Hybrid attitude which he conveyed by killing ruthlessly. Specifically when he speaks out of disdain, disobedient people have no room in his kingdom as their existence belong to him. Despite his extremely rebarbative and loudmouth personality, Klaus has a warm and compassionate heart towards his family. Years ago, he adopted a former slave's son named Marcel who became his vampire protégé. Yes, he once conceived himself as a parent before coming to New Orleans. Recently in the series, he became a Father to Hayley's daughter named Hope. You heard me right that Vampires can also be biological fathers despite the mythical fact that they can never procreate as a condemn part of their immortality.
The mouth-watering Original Vampire, Elijah Mikaelson, who will definitely tickle your soul when you see him in his usual trendy suave Italian tailored suit. His sense for stylish and sleek fashion which is full of flavours is diametrically opposed to his asperous maternal half-brother, Klaus. Elijah has a relatively level-headed attitude as an older brother and as a vampire. His astute personality made him to be liked more by most of his siblings and loved more by Hayley. However, when his smartness became a threat to Klaus he was neutralised by stabbing him and enduring his heart with a silver dagger dipped in the ashes of white oak tree. In the last series, he was one of the sacrifices which was successfully performed and as a bittersweet result, he asked Vincent to purge his memories so he could start a new life as a musician.
She was the before all else flower amongst The Originals and the youngest of the Mikaelson siblings. Rebekah Mikaelson's romantic relationship with Marcel and the desire for a family of her own were made complicated by her family name and vampire status. Her dreams were shattered and her bottled-up hatred towards her family turned her to be rebellious. However, it dissipated when she eventually pursued a simple life outside New Orleans. Moreover, her unwavering love for the family heightened when she accepted in becoming the guardian of her sole niece, Hope. It was a personal suggestion from her closest brother, Klaus, in order to safeguard Hope away from the unmanageable turmoil of New Orleans.
They were the introductory Originals who invaded New Orleans to be their kingdom of authority; vanquished a number of elderly witches and encrypted fear to new generations of compliant witches. They were feared by many because of their indestructible physiques and mercilessness personalities. I thought it was just the 3 of them who predominantly comprised The Originals until two more of their siblings unexpectedly emerged. Their consciousness was reawakened and reborn with vigorously new human bodies!
The Original siblings were not just all ruthless vampires as they also have an immensely powerful sister, Freya Mikaelson, who casts spells. Specifically, she's the long-lost maternal half-sister of Klaus and personified as a skilled thousand-year-old witch. Ever since she was reborn, her preeminent magical power as a witch defended and mended the rest of the Mikaelson family. The supremacy of her cast of spells was tested utmost and many times. Particularly, when Elijah was neutralised by the Hollow and his consciousness was left in limbo. More so, when the Hollow possessed the body of her niece, Hope, as a medium for vengeance and after her failed resurrection.
There is also an emotionally challenegd brother, Kol Mikaelson, who grew-up with the prominent status as the black sheep of the family. His disturbed personality was considered a nuisance by his own brothers and more so, when he became violent to people and was dangerously bold in killing them. However, his abominate behaviour was just a way of seeking attention; a cry for family's attention. Which is why, when he experienced true love for Divina, his perspective in life as a vampire moderated and animated his bitter heart. The strength of his true love for Divina yielded a benevolence Kol who willingly sacrificed himself in a steep price spell just to save the possessed body of Hope.
The Mikaelson siblings were hostile towards each other and this was portrayed by killing and neutralising the most hated siblings. Their existence in the last series may have been uncomplicated but in the preceding years, they have experienced challenges of acceptance and were very determined to fight for their own survival. Do you know why they never gave-up and just kept on protecting themselves against myriads of physical encounters? It's because when they met those traverse blows in the past, they supported each other's back and fought as a dimensional family. They consistently shielded their own kinds while combating those who would cherish to see them decompose into ashes!
The loving nature of the vampires would unfold when one of their family members was in great trouble. In the last episode, Klaus' daughter was sacrificially saved by four of the astute Originals. In saving Hope's possessed body from the Hollow (Inadu), their sacrifice was doomed with a precondition that they will never come near and see each other again. The sacrificial spell was pursued; it was conjured by a powerful witch, Vincent Griffith, and Freya Mikaelson. When the ritual expel was successfully performed, the siblings (Klaus, Elijah, Kol and Rebekah) received each of The Hollow's 4 split spirit and subsequently, stayed separate from each other to prevent the full strength of The Hollow.
There are no perfect relationships as even with our own parentage siblings, the inevitable rivalry emerges. In some families, the feeling of disapproval and antipathy with our own bloodline can jell in our wonderful minds. However, condoning and granting pardon will always be the core essence in most families who desire nothing but a harmonious relationship with their own kind.
When I
was growing-up, I thought cheese had one shape and taste only. What a
foolish child I was to have assumed that milk-based food products
like cheese did not have wide-ranging flavours, textures, and forms
too. This was during my school years or before the internet was
launched in the world. Sad to say, my intuition really misguided me
so much!
For the
past weeks, I have been trying to regain my sexy weight as I added 5
klgs. or so after eating too much last Christmas and New Year's Eve.
I was not just enjoying but also indulging myself, it was a case of
'eat as much as you can'.
I tried
hard to get my weight back or even to lose a few klgs. of that
chubbiness. It wasn't that difficult to lose weight but delicious
meals are very tempting and hard to avoid. So, instead of gaining
more weight or starve myself to death I decided to accustom myself to
only eat at lunchtimes with fibre rich fruits like apples, bananas,
oranges and pears. My fruit diet helped a lot and as a matter of
fact, I just regained my weight without experiencing nausea etc.
Last
week, I put on hold for awhile my fruit-diet regime and try buns with
slices of Camembert cheese. I thought I would have it for a few days
only, but my new luncheon is more than a week old now! Perhaps the
soft and flavoursome spiced buns with juicy orange soaked sultanas
and raisins as well as the scrumptious full fat soft cheese made
from pasteurised cow's milk were the reasons why my choosy taste buds are so delighted.
My
fruit-diet and my new luncheon have huge differences, in particular, health benefits. Bu on the other hand, I have found and tasted the cheese
I prefer most while I'm on Earth.
It may be fattening as they say but
I know it won't affect me as I can control the amount I eat.
Hmmmmmmmm...I'm a little 'devil' sometimes.
