I'm not so good at posting these days...
But I am pretty good at surfing.
You might find that I am posting things that I have surfed to.
You might find that you enjoy them
Tiny Art Director, a blog by a guy with a daughter who is an itsy-bitsy critic and art commissioner. Try reading from oldest to most recent since it started when she was two or three, and now she's maybe five or six. That's when they get pretentious and bossy. Trust me. I know.
24.3.10
20.3.10
Wasabi avocado salad
Oh my gosh - I'm so going to make this soon! Avocado Wasabi Salad!
Lolo over at Vegan Yum Yum makes beautiful, healthful food. She's got a new cookbook out that is surprisingly affordable, and I'm drooling over it not just a little bit. For the Alberta carnivores, please don't be put off by the vegan designation. I guarantee there is still food pron on that site you'll be attracted to!
I made a quick mock up of the dressing for this recipe last night for salad sharing with friends. Blended in a blender: 1/2 an avocado, 1 clove garlic, about 1/4 cup soy milk (would be fine with cow's milk if you're using it right away), 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, couple shots of Tabasco. Sooooooo creamy-licious with a tiny bit of kick! Tossed with a mass of greens, some seeds, some thin pepper strips and grated carrot. But definitely I'm planning to make the salad from Vegan Yum Yum as written this week.
Happy in the kitchen! And sometimes barefoot!
I made a quick mock up of the dressing for this recipe last night for salad sharing with friends. Blended in a blender: 1/2 an avocado, 1 clove garlic, about 1/4 cup soy milk (would be fine with cow's milk if you're using it right away), 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, couple shots of Tabasco. Sooooooo creamy-licious with a tiny bit of kick! Tossed with a mass of greens, some seeds, some thin pepper strips and grated carrot. But definitely I'm planning to make the salad from Vegan Yum Yum as written this week.
Happy in the kitchen! And sometimes barefoot!
15.3.10
Project Intimacy
I know a number of friends who would love a little public privacy, and a number of people who could use it. These beautiful, wearable vestibules of privacy are designed by GAIA design group to provide intimate space for you and possibly yours in places that otherwise don't afford it. In GAIA's words:
"The project is based on three keywords: isolation, intimacy and ornament. It consists of a set of wearable objects that can be converted into means of isolation, to create a personal intimacy in any environment. The idea derives from a reflection on the change in our relationship with the domestic environment, due to the effects of our increasing mobility, and how this has affected our concept of intimacy, creating new demands. This led to the design of four accessories, screen for four different parts of the body: eyes, ears, face and upper body, expressing, through their shape and colour, our desire for intimacy at any time, any place, on various levels.
"The project is based on three keywords: isolation, intimacy and ornament. It consists of a set of wearable objects that can be converted into means of isolation, to create a personal intimacy in any environment. The idea derives from a reflection on the change in our relationship with the domestic environment, due to the effects of our increasing mobility, and how this has affected our concept of intimacy, creating new demands. This led to the design of four accessories, screen for four different parts of the body: eyes, ears, face and upper body, expressing, through their shape and colour, our desire for intimacy at any time, any place, on various levels.
"An ornament that can be worn.
A gesture to transform it.
A secret place for personal intimacy.
A reminder of our exterior aspect.
A gesture to transform it.
A secret place for personal intimacy.
A reminder of our exterior aspect.
"A strong, dominant exterior that conceals a fragile, personal interior."
PS. I bet you'd like me to STOP posting now, wouldnja?
PS. I bet you'd like me to STOP posting now, wouldnja?
14.3.10
Hitting you with the big guns!
Since I was on hiatus for far too long, I'm taking this Sunday opportunity to hit you with MASSIVE BLOG OVERLOAD! And now, for something very clever: An abridged history of modern wars as told by food.
A cheat sheet of what the food is and thus which country it represents is here. A complete description of the battles represented in the short film (and the original video link) is here.
I've seen some comments claiming the film trivializes the death toll of these battles, and some comments thanking the film maker for finally making clear to them who was in bed with whom during the various conflicts. I agree with the first comment that when the film gets around to the most recent conflicts that I remember well in my life time, the screaming fries just can't do justice to the massive loss of human life and the ensuing suffering. But, it's an incredibly clever and well-made representation of the wars we have known and have learned about, presented in an engaging way. Thoughts?
A cheat sheet of what the food is and thus which country it represents is here. A complete description of the battles represented in the short film (and the original video link) is here.
I've seen some comments claiming the film trivializes the death toll of these battles, and some comments thanking the film maker for finally making clear to them who was in bed with whom during the various conflicts. I agree with the first comment that when the film gets around to the most recent conflicts that I remember well in my life time, the screaming fries just can't do justice to the massive loss of human life and the ensuing suffering. But, it's an incredibly clever and well-made representation of the wars we have known and have learned about, presented in an engaging way. Thoughts?
Hiding the veggies
Sure we had a gorgeous couple of months there while we "welcomed the world", but Mother Nature appears to have exhausted herself and Vancouver has descended once again into a cold, rainy spell. Time for comfort food! Just before you look at the longish list of ingredients I'll point out that you can also really simplify this recipe by omitting the spices (except s&p) and the garlic. And I'm sure you can get away with only using cheddar instead of also using parmesan.
Butternut Squash Mac N' Cheese
Ingredients
1 small butternut squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded, and grated (about 3 cups)
1 cup broth
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp smoke paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound whole wheat spirals or elbow macaroni (this was the whole package for me)
4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup)
4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely grated (1 ounce)
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
Olive-oil cooking spray, to grease baking pan
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions on the package but minus two minutes so it's a little underdone. Drain and set aside after rinsing with cold water.
Combine squash, stock, and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tenderwhen pierced with a fork, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and blend until smooth. I used a hand blender and it got very velvety. Stir in nutmeg, paprika, cayenne, pepper and salt. Beat egg in a small bowl, add to hot liquid and quickly blend again to incorporate egg.
Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine pasta, squash mixture, garlic, grated cheddar and 2 Tbsp of grated parmesan and mix well.
Lightly coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodles.
Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 20 to 40 minutes more. Serve immediately. Makes 8 medium servings or 6 big servings.
Ok, yes, you can taste the squash, but it loses a strong veggie taste and the dish is just velvety, creamy deliciousness. Because you replace most of the traditional cheese in homemade macaroni with squash, this is also really light in fat and has truck loads of healthy fiber. Go Go Gadget colon!
Butternut Squash Mac N' Cheese
Ingredients
1 small butternut squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded, and grated (about 3 cups)
1 cup broth
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp smoke paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound whole wheat spirals or elbow macaroni (this was the whole package for me)
4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup)
4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely grated (1 ounce)
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
Olive-oil cooking spray, to grease baking pan
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions on the package but minus two minutes so it's a little underdone. Drain and set aside after rinsing with cold water.
Combine squash, stock, and milk in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until squash is tender
Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine pasta, squash mixture, garlic, grated cheddar and 2 Tbsp of grated parmesan and mix well.
Lightly coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer noodle mixture to dish.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and oil; sprinkle evenly over noodles.
Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking until lightly browned and crisp on top, 20 to 40 minutes more. Serve immediately. Makes 8 medium servings or 6 big servings.
Ok, yes, you can taste the squash, but it loses a strong veggie taste and the dish is just velvety, creamy deliciousness. Because you replace most of the traditional cheese in homemade macaroni with squash, this is also really light in fat and has truck loads of healthy fiber. Go Go Gadget colon!
13.3.10
I've got one word for ya
Alright alright alright! Enough harassment! I'll blog already! But you're only getting one word out of me.
This list has been doing the rounds and it's a bit of a challenge* to answer all the questions in a single word, so I'm giving it a shot. Nothing like a challenge to get me into action!
Where is your cell phone?
jacket
Spouse?
reading
Your hair?
bedhead
Your mother?
complicated
Your father?
intelligentsia
Your favorite thing?
cats
Your dream last night?
nonexistent?
Favorite drink?
G&T (that counts as one word, doesn't it? Can't have one without the other, anyway)
What room are you in?
study
Your hobby?
running
Your fear?
ABD
Where do you want to be in 6 years?
graduated!
Where were you last night?
bar
Something that you aren't?
carnivore
Muffins?
homemade
Wish list item?
iPhone
Last thing you did?
surf
What are you wearing?
casual
Your pets?
favourites!
Friends?
awesome
Your life?
treadmill
Your mood?
meh
Missing someone?
Sheldon
Drinking?
please!
Your car?
balding
Something you're not wearing?
nylons
Your favorite store?
Mavi
Your favorite color?
294PC (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/colorfinder.aspx?c_id=6046)
When is the last time you cried?
3rd
Where do you go over and over?
campus
Five people who email me regularly?
friends
Favorite place to eat?
out!
Favorite place I'd like to be right now?
Yukon
*Yes, I'm fully aware that my "challenge" is also a great way to wuss out of writing an actual blog. Consider me reprimanded and keep your mockery to yourself! :-)
This list has been doing the rounds and it's a bit of a challenge* to answer all the questions in a single word, so I'm giving it a shot. Nothing like a challenge to get me into action!
Where is your cell phone?
jacket
Spouse?
reading
Your hair?
bedhead
Your mother?
complicated
Your father?
intelligentsia
Your favorite thing?
cats
Your dream last night?
nonexistent?
Favorite drink?
G&T (that counts as one word, doesn't it? Can't have one without the other, anyway)
What room are you in?
study
Your hobby?
running
Your fear?
ABD
Where do you want to be in 6 years?
graduated!
Where were you last night?
bar
Something that you aren't?
carnivore
Muffins?
homemade
Wish list item?
iPhone
Last thing you did?
surf
What are you wearing?
casual
Your pets?
favourites!
Friends?
awesome
Your life?
treadmill
Your mood?
meh
Missing someone?
Sheldon
Drinking?
please!
Your car?
balding
Something you're not wearing?
nylons
Your favorite store?
Mavi
Your favorite color?
294PC (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/colorfinder.aspx?c_id=6046)
When is the last time you cried?
3rd
Where do you go over and over?
campus
Five people who email me regularly?
friends
Favorite place to eat?
out!
Favorite place I'd like to be right now?
Yukon
*Yes, I'm fully aware that my "challenge" is also a great way to wuss out of writing an actual blog. Consider me reprimanded and keep your mockery to yourself! :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)