Food: Italian Sausage Rolls

In case you haven't noticed, the majority of my cooking efforts result in some kind of sweet treat. But, when I do actually buckle down and cook something "real" it almost always involves Italian sausage, pretty much my favorite thing next to chocolate, I really can't get enough. This recipe is inspired by my favorite Italian place, Jojo's pizza and their delicious sausage role. This version is a lot cheaper and healthier and did I mention DELICIOUS? Don't worry Jojo's this can't beat the real thing, but at least I'll tide myself over until my next visit.



Italian Sausage Rolls
Recipe by Desiree Roughton

Ingredients
*4 fully cooked Italian sausage links (suggested: Jenne-O Turkey Italian Sausage)
*1 tube reduced fat crescent roll dough
*Dipping sauce, I suggest a nice tomato alfredo especially if you get it from Fresh & Easy but a nice marinara would work as well
*Optional: dry Italian seasonings, garlic powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut each sausage link horizontally in half so you have 8 short pieces.

Roll out crescent dough and sprinkle with Italian seasonings and/or garlic powder.



Roll each sausage piece in one crescent and seal dough with fingers.



Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 min or until dough is golden brown. Make sure to check that dough is cooked all the way through.





Serve with tomato alfredo.



Enjoy!

Film: The Switch Review

I post this review in hopes that you will all forgo seeing this atrocity and spend your time doing your part to help the Arrested Development movie effort. Stalk Jason Bateman, hit up some forums, tweet your opinion because this movie is exactly the opposite of how awesome Batemen is. It's called The Switch, and it's definitely off. There was a lot of flack surrounding this movie and it's sad that Aniston's decision to speak up for herself was decimated by such an epic fail.

The Switch: GotchaMovies Review
The Most Expected Comedy Ever Conceived

Enjoy!...my review, not this movie.

Film: 1 Year, 100 Movies - July

As you can see, I'm back to my old self and posting a week and a half late. Luckily, I've been getting so ahead of the theaters that a lot of these movies are still out, and some aren't even release yet! I just got back from a week and a half of "vacation." I spent 4 days at a ridiculously intense marketing conference and then headed to Washington, DC for the weekend and walked about 39209 miles. Overall, it was seriously good times, and A LOT of information, but enough about all that...let's get to the movies. I was intensely tempted to blow off commenting on any other movie besides Inception because, well, nothing else really deserves it, but for my love of movies here is the whole list.





7/1/10: Cyrus
This movie has pretty much come (if you can say that) and gone by now and there's nothing sad about that. It's just another mundane and awkward character study with a weird cast. Each of the actors, including John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, and Marisa Tomei, have talent, but this plot is just not good.

Bottom line: Watch Inception

7/6/10: Despicable Me
Haha, just recalling this movie makes me want to sing that bad ass hip hop song they made as a theme. This movie is cute, and definitely a winner for families. It's not Toy Story 3, but it's worth a trip. The characters are really cute and it's a nice spin on the traditional kids movie format.

Bottom line: Leave your children in the theater and sneak into Inception

7/8/10: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
You can read my official review here.

Bottom line: Wait for the video and go watch Inception.

7/11/10: Predators
I hate movies where crap coined "impossible" becomes ridiculously possible for no reason at all. This movie needs a huge "meh" stamped all over it. I'm honestly bored thinking about it. The acting is okay, the "twists" are stupid and predictable and the ending is unfinished.

Bottom line: Watch Inception.

7/12/10: Inception
*sigh* I'm so glad to finally be here. There is seriously a smile on my face. You've already heard that this is the most epic and intelligent movie to come out...ever. I have nothing bad to say. There are no holes, nothing left unexplained, just pure and complete creativity, action, and thought sewn together into an oral and optical masterpiece. I've already seen this 3 times and I'm ready for another. The way Christopher Nolan can imagine manipulation of time (Memento anyone) and piece everything so seamlessly together is a sign of utter brilliance. The acting is great, the story is great, and you end the movie wishing it would start again.

Bottom line: Watch Inception, then again, then rent Memento and watch The Dark Knight

7/14/10: Charlie St. Cloud
This is a solid film, especially if you are a fan of Zac Efron sans shirt. The story is all about grief, life, and moving on. It's not too sad or predictable and really does have a nice message about life and death. The plot really keeps your interest and is definitely worth seeing.

Bottom line: Watch Inception, then this.

7/15/10: The Kids Are All Right
Lesbians, no. Organic food, no. Mark Ruffalo, yes.

Bottom line: ^^^, watch Inception

7/20/10: Salt
You can read my official review here.

Bottom line: You know what to do.

7/24/10: The Last Exorcism
This movie isn't released until October, so I can't write about it until then. What I can say is that Eli Roth is the shit (not a necessarily reflected in this movie)

Bottom line: Watch Inception.

7/26/10: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
You can read my official review here.

Bottom line: Watch Inception.

7/27/10: Step Up 3D
I love the Step Up movies. What more do I need that hotties tearin' up the dance floor? Hotties tearin' up the dance floor in 3D?! YES! The 3D elements of this is surprisingly cool and the dancing is sick as usual. The plot does a nice job of stringing together the previous stories and is quite charming.

Bottom line: You should have seen Inception by now and if you liked the other Step Ups, you'll be into this one.

7/28/10: Dinner for Schmucks
I have no idea what anyone was trying to do when making this movie. It is really long, really dumb, and just an overall fail. There are some lol moments, but mostly just out of embarrassment. Steve Carell's character is COMPLETELY forced and extremely annoying and no one else in the movie helps his case.

Bottom line: Watch Inception again because you will much happier than if you watch this.

Total count for 2010: 65

Enjoy!

Film: Salt Movie Review

Here in San Diego, Comic-Con is in full swing. I went Downtown yesterday to work a Saw 3D preview for my internship. Tobin Bell, who plays Jigsaw, was the most legit celeb ever and I've gotta say sitting through a Q&A with cast and crew that couldn't hide their passion if they tried made me want to check out the whole set of movies and reminded me what makes the movie business so awesome and something I want to be a part of.

I have a new review for you all for the new Angelina Jolie, who added a little Salt to Comic-Con on Thursday, movie Salt. And in case you're wondering, her long-time beau Brad Pitt failed to make an appearance in the film or alongside at Comic-Con.

Salt: GotchaMovies Review
Salt Could Use Some More Spice

Enjoy!

Film: The Sorcerer's Apprentice Review

My latest review is for the most recent live-action Disney adaptation, The Sorcerer's Apprentice. It stars Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel in a story based loosely off the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene in Disney's 1940 classic, Fantasia. Indeed, it did fall a bit flat, but was fairly enjoyable nonetheless.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice: GotchaMovies Review
Yet Another one for the kids

Enjoy!

Food: Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Brownies

Awhile back I bought a bunch of brownie mix on sale for like $.69. It's been sitting just waiting to be used so I decided to take it out and create a simple recipe that was a little more than just brownie. I amped up the mix by using butter and milk instead of oil and water and added the always delicious cream filling from the black bottom cupcakes I love to make. This recipe is super easy, looks great, and tastes awesome.



Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Brownies
By Desiree Roughton

For the cream cheese filling:

* 1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
* 1/3 c. sugar
* 1 egg
* 1 c. chocolate chips
* 1/8 tsp. (two shakes) of salt

For the brownie batter:

* 1 box brownie mix
* 1 stick melted margarine (or butter)
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 c. milk (any type you have)

Note: Different mixes may call for different amounts. Replace oil with margarine, water with milk, and use the suggested amount of eggs.

Directions:

Preheat over to 350. Grease bottom of 13 x 9 pan.

Cream together cream cheese, 1 egg, sugar, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together brownie mix, 2 eggs, melted margarine, and milk until smooth.

Pour brownie mix evenly into pan. Pour or spoon cream cheese mixer over the top.

Run a spoon or spatula in an "S" shape along entire pan, swirling the cream cheese mixture and brownie mix together. Aprox. 10-15 times will give a nice mix.



Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Let cool, ENJOY!

Food: Chili's Loaded Nachos

I am totally obsessed with Chili's loaded nachos. They are delicious and meaty and AMAZING. I decided I'd give it a go and attempt to create my own version of the tasty appetizer for a meal. The experiment was a great success...mmmmm.




Chili's Loaded Nachos
Recipe by Desiree Roughton

* 4 lg. flour tortillas (I used jalapeno, cilantro flavored)
* 1 lb. ground beef
* 1 packet taco seasoning
* 2 c. shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
* 1 c. sour cream
* 2-4 green onions, finely chopped
* jalapenos (with juice)
optional:
* lime, cilantro, tomatoes, etc.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place tortillas on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. The tortillas should be slightly brown but still soft.

Brown ground beef in large skillet and add taco seasoning as directed.

Top each tortilla with equal amounts of taco meat (this seems like a lot and it is! Hey, they aren't called loaded for nothing).

Cover with grated cheese (I used almost the whole bag) and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted, approximately 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix 1 c. sour creme with a tablespoon (or more) jalapeno juice, add a spritz of lime if desired.

Top each tortilla with jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro, tomatoes, etc. as desired. Drizzle with jalapeno sour cream.

Use a pizza cutter to cut each round into 6 slices.

ENJOY!





that's not my manhand btw :)