Hawaiian Eats...Spam Musubi Recipe

So we are still having Hawaii withdrawls after almost two months after our honeymoon trip =(

Here's another easy, cheap, and delicious recipe straight from the Aloha State!!!!  SPAM MUSUBI!!!

Ingredients:
1 Can of Spam
2 Cups of Rice (Short Grain/ Sushi Rice)
7 Tbsp of Rice Vinegar
1/4 Cup of Soy Sauce
1/4 Cup of Oyster Sauce
1/3 Cup of Sugar
4-6 Sheets of Nori (Seaweed Sheets).

We started by cooking the rice in a rice cooker.  We made it slightly sticky-er than usual (i.e. added a tiny bit more water).  Once rice is cooked, transfer rice onto a large mixing bowl.  Pour the 7 Tbsp of rice wine over the rice and mix well.

Mix the the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar together in a mixing bowl. 

Slice the spam lengthwise about 1/2" thick.  Then coat the spam with the soy sauce/oyster sauce mixture.

Now heat up a skillet to medium high heat.  Place the spam on the pan and grill each side approximately 3-4 minutes or until browned.

Slice the nori in half with a sharp knife or with kitchen shears.  Place a slice of spam in the middle of the nori, followed by about 3 tablespoons of rice.  Form the rice into the shape of  the spam.

Then, seal the edges with a tiny bit of water.  That is all there is to it.  You can play around and mix up the ingredients by adding cheese, egg, fried chicken, or bacon.  The possibilities are endless!





Lights, Camera, Action...How to Make a Home Video Look Professional the Domesticated Diva Way

So I got bit with the video filming bug, and I have made two semi-professional looking video documentaries so far.  I have made both a Hawaiian Honeymoon video and an Identity Festival video.

I registered for an account on Vimeo.

Vimeo was a better fit, because it is geared towards the creative filmmaker.

Here's the link to my videos...

Identity Festival Video
Hawaiian Honeymoon Video

Prior to making both videos, I did my research. 

I found these websites extremely helpful...

10 Simple Tips To Make Home Videos Look Professional
How to make homemade movies cinematic/professional looking

Here are some Domesticated Diva tips when making your home video:

• Shoot your subject up close.  This will make the video seem more professional.
• Pan from different directions (across, up and down, diagonal, moving in/out).
• Capture the details.  This will make your video seem well rounded and will engage your audience.
• Angle your shot, and try not to shoot head on.  This will give a more interesting perspective when filming.
• Take about 10 second video clips.  This will ensure better video filming and quality.
• When putting your video together, keep clips to 5-10 seconds.  Any longer than that, your audience will start to get bored.
• Music choice is key.  The right song or music choice will set the mood of the video.
• Keep your camera as steady as possible. (I may invest in a tripod or monopod in the future)

I shot all the video with my point and shoot Sony camera (DSC- HX7V).  This camera shoots full HD 1080/60i video.  It's amazing what this little camera can do!  I highly recommend this camera for video and pictures!

Then, I edited the videos using Sony Movie Studio HD 11.  I purchased it on Amazon for around $30.

The software was actually great for beginners.  Before using Sony Movie Studio, I was using Windows Movie Maker.  Sony Movie Studio has more options, and has features that took video editing up a level.  I highly recommend this software!

Ono Grindz- Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi CopyCat Recipe

We are still having Hawaii withdrawals...sigh...but at least we can recreate some of the yummy food we devoured over there =)

Let's start off with recreating our version of the Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi recipe!  This dish is simple 12 jumbo shrimp with two scoops of rice.  So simple, yet one of the most delicious things I ate on our honeymoon.

I followed the recipe listed on this Youtube video. 

Ingredients:
24 Shrimp, deveined and shell on
1 head (10 cloves) garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Small Tub of Light Butter (semi-healthy version)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup white wine

First thing's first, chop a butt load of garlic...

Mix the flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish...



Dredge the shrimp in the flour mixture.  Make sure the shrimp are fairly dry before dredging!  Also, make sure to shake any excess flour off the shrimp.

Heat a frying pan to medium high heat.  Place about 3/4 of the tub of butter in the sauce pan and the chopped garlic.  Heat until butter is thoroughly melter, about 3 minutes. 

Place the shrimp in the pan in a single layer.  Cook the shrimp for 3 minutes.  Then flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Make sure to season each side of the shrimp with salt.

Then add the white wine and the remainder of the butter.  Melt the butter in the pan and toss shrimp to coat. 

Here's the final product!  It's pretty close to the real thing!



Our version of Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi







Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi