Monthly Archives: October 2010

The Bigger Picture

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Hello everyone! I have some delicious things to share with you!

Roasted green beans with almonds is one of my favorite side dishes as of late.
Roasting things in general is something I’ve been loving lately.

It doesn’t require active participation in the kitchen, so it’s perfect for making something delicious when you also need to be doing something else. Shown above is a chickpea cutlet (recipe from Veganomicon) with fig preserves, red potatoes and chickpeas fried with bratkartoffel würzer, and roasted brussels sprouts with a sweet mustard dressing. I can’t begin to explain how deliciously savory and sweet this meal was.

Let me explain…

This is a seasoning my mom’s friend sent over from Germany, and it has all of these wonderful ingredients: salt, paprika, onion, curry, pepper, marjoram, pimento, ginger, cloves, and sugar. You just fry the potatoes with these seasonigs, some diced onions and voila! You have yourself a meal to remember. Actually, this meal made me feel very nostalgic of Germany, and I thought of my two Prinzessins, Neela and Mel.

More roasting, chickpeas, potatoes, and chickpea cutlets!

But still different! I can’t remember the last time I had mashed potatoes, but I have been missing out. I simply followed a recipe in my ayurvedic cookbook for regular mashed potatoes, but I added in some other spices and garlic. Once I served it I let some ghee just melt into this comforting mash. Also served with a chickpea cutlet with fig preserves (thanks to this lady’s recommendation), roasted chickpeas and broccoli, and cilantro for garnish (and flavor!).

All together now–yum!
Taking a moment with a tranquil cup of orange blossom tea, while finishing up a crafting project.
Breakfast just elevated up to whole other level!

I was so excited when I saw this bowl at the thrift store the other day. I remember over a year ago pining over it and thinking how it was so perfect for me since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

Many delicious breakfasts to be had with my spilt milk bowl: oats, diced apple, dates, crunchy peanut butter, sliced banana, almonds, cinnamon, and honey!
Behold, the honeycrisp! Now I know why people love these apples so much.
Funky deconstructed sushi bowl

I just threw together some cooked rice, edamame, nori, wakame, a grated carrot, vegan mayo, sesame seeds, Bragg’s, cilantro, and pickled ginger of course! Totally random and yummy.

Recently, I did a performance/video/projection piece.

This semester has been really wonderful for me so far. I’ve explored and challenged my mind, my body, and my craft in so many different ways. I usually have a hard time asking for favors, and in my dance class I’m constantly asking for favors. Let me explain what I mean. In other words I’ve gotten use to literally giving my weight to others, and taking weight from other as well. It feels great, and has helped me realize that things just go along smoother when you do share your weight. Because if you hesitate and hold back, then it makes it difficult for the other person to understand what you want to do. In the end you’re left with a balance. I guess my point is that in my classes I’ve found so many parallels that I can apply to my life, and not just in the classroom. What are some things you’ve learned recently that could be applied to the grand scheme of things?

Who Would’ve Thought

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Hello everybody! I wanted to update you all, and let you know that I won’t be posting as frequently. I won’t be getting a laptop until the end of November or December, so I’m taking a deep breath until then. It seems like recently my life has involved practicing letting go of modern conveniences like cars and computers. It’s been very refreshing actually to live life at a more human pace. Of course these things are useful, but when do we start becoming dependent on them. Take cell phones for instance. You send a text message or make a phone call, and it expresses this notion that this person should always be available. I guess in a sense I’m claiming my time back and becoming more creative with it. Even just sitting there and doing nothing is absolutely fine by me.

When modern conveniences leave your side for a bit, do those moments seem like a blessing in disguise for you?

Playing hide-and-seek...

Or pretending I'm a wild animal on the loose!

Oh my gosh! Ants have attacked my breakfast!

Oops, those are just chocolate sprinkles.

A delicious bowl of lentil curry with aromatic basmati rice.

Sitting down and eating with no distractions...

Enjoying some of the best bread ever from a German bakery.

Spread on a thick layer of mascarpone and pumpkin butter, and you're in for a treat!

And top some yogurt off with homemade granola.

I made this batch using a simple recipe I found in , but made it special by also adding in puffed millet and chia seeds.

Making it feel more like October by making a batch of pumpkin pie hummus.

I haven’t made pumpkin pie hummus in ages! I had a friend try it, and he said that it tasted like pumpkin pie filling. Perfect! This morning I served it over a warming bowl of oatmeal, along with medjool dates, walnuts, granola, and cinnamon. I like thinking of all of the different kinds of hummus flavors I can make, and who knew that a sweet hummus would be a success! Try it out and let me know what you think.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’m hoping to go apple picking with some of my best friends up in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. I’m going to make sure to take in all of that fresh air and beautiful scenery while I’m there.

Oh wait! Here’s a random question before you go! Name an item of food, i.e. pasta, squash, lentils, apple… you get the picture!

p.s. I ended up not advancing to the next round of the Project Food Blog challenge, but I wanted to thank you all for your support! It was really wonderful to see that people had faith in me and were excited about it like I was. Also, I ended up getting to do my favorite challenge anyway (the dinner party)!

Sometimes Things Can Look Like More Than What They Are…

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And there can be beauty in that. In a way that’s what makes the seemingly simple and little things stand out. Recently, I’ve been noticing that the food I’ve been putting together has some sort of rustic or “very much like the land” look to it.

Pumpkin pie spice roasted chickpeas, Greek yogurt, banana, dried dates and pineapple.
Dates, hazelnut butter, banana, dates, pumpkin pie space, and raw cacao nibs
A mountainous landscape or just a new combination for my secret oat-bar/muffin recipe: dried apples, dates, dried cranberries, walnuts, cashews, chocolate chips, and a blend of tea masala and pumpkin pie spices.
Notice anything by now?

I don’t know if you noticed it, but I realized that lots of my foods have been resembling landscapes. Perhaps it’s been coming from the time I’ve been spending outside recently. Observing the seasons in their transition phases is always something interesting, and beautiful to witness. And now that my time with technology isn’t as readily-available (laptop situation still up in the air, but thank you to a dear friend of mine for letting me borrow his!), more time has magically appeared for me to enjoy these things.

The other day in my sculpture class, my professor took us on a field-trip (haven’t been on one of those in awhile) to a foundry and an art collectors’ private collection.

I was transported to another era and sometimes what looked like a destroyed city.
Things that look like they’ve just taken in a lot…

Afterwards, we went to the private collection of a very dynamic husband and wife. It was such a refreshing and reminding visit to see people enjoying art on their own time. There are people who support and find beauty in what artists make. Oftentimes, some get caught up in the “joke” of being an artist, and don’t see that it can be a reality. This is sort of random, but as an artist I believe; I have faith that a person can make it. Of course, I also understand that a person can very many different routes. Some sculptors sometimes make those molds you see at dentist’s office. Who knows! Anyway, the thing going on in my life have really gotten me to reflect on the idea of beauty, and what it can bring out in us. I recently went over Confucianism. One of the points brought up was that the human spirit can feel uplifted if surrounded by beautiful things. This can nature, the arts, whatever you may find beautiful. Off the top of my head I find this in nature, fashion, food, art, parallels in our universe, and people. What do you find beauty in?

There's some to be found in the smile that leaves a dinner party with a sweet reminder.

 

Or in the beautiful friend that greets you with a thoughtful bouquet of flowers!

 

Finding beauty in nature that led me to finding a beauty in food.

Toasted hemp seeds with sea salt, pumpkin pie spice, and shredded coconut

And the nice thing is that you don’t have to look too far.

 

Uh-Oh!

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Hi everyone! I wanted to pop in and say hello. Last night, my laptop had the misfortune of falling down to its untimely death.

Making a sad face–they’re hard for me to do.

Anyway, I also wanted to remind you all that you can check out my entry for Project Food Blog’s third challenge right over here! Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to invite a friend over, and share some yummy food! Voting ends 6 PM Pacific Time October 7th.

On another note, Ruby over at Tomayto Tomaaahto had an entry that was a reminder to me about appreciation and sharing. “I chose the Hunger Project because one of my pet peeves is throwing money at a problem without envisioning any lasting resolution. The Hunger Project doesn’t do that. Their goal is to teach communities how to help themselves, working together with local government to build permanent solutions. They also, by the way, harness the often-latent potential of women in those communities by empowering them to be leaders and drivers of change. I loved everything I read about them, so they got my vote.” She opened up an account called “Foodie Sans Frontiers” for the Hunger Project, which you can check out here. The link will take you over to a site where you can donate. I just thought I’d share that with you all, and perhaps you can help out and spread the word.

I hope everyone’s week is starting off on a good note!

Benvenuti in Mia Casa

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Edit: voting is now open, and you can click here to check out this entry to vote! Thank you, and good luck to my fellow contestants.

The third challenge of Project Food Blog was one that I’ve had my eye on for awhile.

 

Inspiration for the meal that I had been imagining came from this.

A simple sprig of rosemary. This challenge asked us to host a dinner party where our guests would discover new tastes and exotic flavors. Also, watch out for hosting tips throughout the post.

So here’s what I’ve had in store for the third challenge!

What to do a week or a few days before your dinner party…

Come up with a guest list and invite them! On the invitation I let my guests know that this affair was one that called for “dressing up” with room for their own interpretation. I couldn’t wait to see what they would come up with.

Pick out recipes.

Keep your guests and their allergies/dislikes/likes in mind when coming up with a menu.

For instance, I remembered one of my friends really loves farfalle.

Little things like that can bring a simple smile to someone’s face.

Make your shopping list.

Things to do the day prior…

Hunt and gather!

While I was shopping for my groceries I kept in mind that I want my guests to feel as special as they are. Quality and authenticity are very important to me, and this doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank: check for sales, don’t just buy the first thing you see, and consider the things that you feel okay splurging on.

Tidy up your place, and make sure your co-host is squeaky clean.
Looking at the steps in a recipe beforehand will keep you from finding out about long prep times at the last minute.

Depending on what you’re making, you can start prepping the day before. I recommend doing whatever will keep you at ease. The last thing you want is for your guests to feed off of any stress, so it’s better to do things at a nice pace rather than waiting till the last minute.

Simply enjoy yourself! My sassy self doing just that by singing along to Domenico Modugno .

The day of…

First thought: FINALLY!

Most of your cooking should be done today to ensure a fresh meal, and to let the seductive smells take over; Perfect for greeting your guests! Also, keep love and celebration in your heart when cooking. I truly believe that people can take these things in while they’re polishing off their plates.

The bell rings and…

The guests have arrived!

I wanted us to take a journey through Italy starting from the northern region and making our ways feasting through this incredible country. Italian cuisine is usually associated with pizza, pastas, red sauces, cheese, and wine. Over the years I’ve learned that there are so many more dishes that this country has to offer. Afterall, with such an ancient history and every family having a sacred recipe by their Nonna, there’s just got to be more!

Very fresh out of the oven!

Focaccia is enjoyed throughout Italy, but it’s interesting to see how the preparation differs in each region. One thing that is so great about this bread is that it really embodies this sense of community. It brings me back to times of getting a big loaf of bread at a bakery with friends, ripping off chunks and devouring it while walking and talking the hours away.

I put the knife down and we all just broke off pieces with our hands, dipping it in the oil & vinegar infusion.

My mom may recognize this dress, since it was hers from when she was my age! I thought the Emilio Pucci print was very fitting for traveling through Italy, don’t you think?

Matilda attending to her duties as co-host, switching to each guests lap spreading the love... or wanting the food?

Next stop, the romantic lands of Tuscany.

People in this area are often called mangiafagiole, which means “beaneaters”. None of us had ever tried a pasta dish like this, and we all agreed that we would happily try more!

Sicilian cuisine is usually influenced by the sea and fresh picks from the garden.

It’s nice to be reminded that simplicity can also be thoroughly enjoyed, which shows that you don’t need to make a highly elaborate dish to satisfy your guests. I think an empty dish can attest to that.

See what I mean--sneaky sneaky.

In a relaxed atmosphere, helping ourselves to more if we felt like it...

And having good conversation!

Then it was time to make the dessert. It’s nice to cook with your guests, and it doesn’t come off as unprepared at all. We’re human and sharing food is such a great way to establish a deeper connection. Who needs stiff air that doesn’t allow for any interaction if everything is already “set”?

Matilda knew something sweet was in store.

Ending a meal on a sweet note, Italian-style!

I served the oranges in a marsala sauce along with the biscotti, and sweet white wine (which I highly recommend) for dipping. Everything complemented the other wonderfully. When my guests exclaimed that these were the best biscotti they’ve ever had, I couldn’t help but agree! Hey, when it’s good, it’s good.

I was little weary of this recipe because of the combination and I made them egg-free.

A toast to recent accomplishments and a great meal.

What a great challenge, and I hope you all enjoyed it! I had been looking forward to this and keeping my fingers crossed, hoping I would make it to this round so I could have the most motivation to host a dinner party. Having a dinner party may sound like a stressful task to undertake. But if you see it as something fun where you get to share a wonderful experience with others… well, why not have a glorious feast in that honor?

Voting opens tomorrow at 6 AM Pacific Time October 4th through 6 PM Pacific Time October 7th. You can check out my profile here!

The Extra Special Things

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Oh my goodness! I made it into the third challenge! Thank you so much for supporting me. Honestly, the amount of support and encouragement I’ve been given has floored me. I’m very much looking forward to the next challenge. It’s actually coming up very soon, but I’m trying to not let it stress me out to the point where I feel like it’s a daunting task to face. Nope, won’t go there. Moving on is incredibly exciting, yet humbling at the same time. I think it’s because I know that it’s not just all me. So yes, I just want to express again how grateful I am to everyone: the panel, my fellow contestants, and of course all of my friends.

Remember the tasty little bites I posted in my last entry?

Some of you were asking if I made them, and indeed those muffins are homemade! I just used my secret oat-bar recipe that I’m continuously experimenting with, but made them into scrumptious little muffins instead. Also, topped with coconut butter makes them extra tasty! Actually, doesn’t it make anything tastier?

Bubbling kitchen experiments?

This adventure was quite a simple one, but hadn’t been done! I looked up recipes using the keywords: figs and apples. That’s when I stumbled upon this delicious apple-fig compote recipe. The smell was incredibly comforting; Imagine the scent of a fruity elixir dancing through the air. Well, it really felt like it was an elixir because when I served it over some oats in the morning, I was so happy to be awake and enjoying that delicious meal. I enjoyed it so much that I found myself boasting about my wonderful breakfast throughout the day.

The most delicious thing I've ever served over a bowl of oatmeal!!!

Then topped with Greek yogurt, chopped walnuts, dates, and ground cinnamon.

Seriously go make a compote to add to your breakfast, or simply to enjoy alone--you will be so happy you did!

I got myself a tub of mascarpone and used it instead of cream cheese on my bagels.

I smeared one half with mascarpone & honey, and the other half with mascarpone & fig preserves. What a special ingredient for something as simple as a bagel, but who says you’ve got wait for a special occasion to enjoy the things you love. What’s something extra special to you that you like to enjoy on any occasion? I also had a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with a medley of fruits, granola, walnuts, tahini, and honey.

I made a deconstructed version of Veganomicon's BBQ Seitan and Coleslaw Sandwich.

I was risking a bellyache by eating raw cabbage, but I love slaws and it was a risk I was willing to take.

I think my taste buds were way too happy for my belly to even notice because I felt a-okay.

Oh my beautiful beets...

I loosely followed this recipe for “caramelized beets with caraway seeds & walnuts“. I didn’t have caraway seeds on hand so I used cumin instead, and I tossed in some roasted butternut squash as well. The fall harvest is something I definitely don’t mind. What are some of your favorite things about fall?

I felt like using one of my special bowls for this soup!

The other night I made a big batch of roasted butternut squash and sweet potato soup. Oh me oh my! Roasting the vegetables beforehand really does add flavor to this recipe, and it turned out so thick and creamy–my favorite! I served it with some chickpeas roasted in coconut oil & cinnamon, and a bit of tarragon.

Gosh, I have really been treating myself with all of these tasty dishes! I’m glad that I can share the recipes with you all… well except for my secret oat “bar/muffin” recipe of course mwahaha. Maybe one day… maybe. Anyhoo, I hope you all enjoy this crisp and chilly weekend. Just thinking about Sunday makes me all giddy inside; you’ll know what I mean by tomorrow! Is there anything exciting going on for you?