Making Better Bolognese
This episode of “Making Better…” is brought to you by inspiration incarnate, the lovely and talented Isabella Mannone of La Fontanella in Phoenix. If you are in Arizona and want a taste of majesty, you absolutely, positively need to pop into her place. I have the sweetest of dreams about her artichokes braised in garlicky [...]
Chicken Salad with Tarragon and Apples
This chicken salad is the perfect marriage of sweet and savory, with the lovely zing of lemon and dijon to wake the whole thing up. Tender white meat chicken becomes moist and delicious in a fine poaching liquid of lemon and pepper. And if you can score a really good artisinal bread, it’s a treat and a half.
Cincinnati-Style Chili Mac
It’s such a bowl of unpretentious goodness, eating this chili ensures some serious chillaxin’. Or as I think the Fresh Prince would put it, “Chillin’ out max and relaxin’ all cool and all, eatin’ some chili outside of the school.” Yup, chili school.
Coconut Tres Leches
I decided to simplify the process with cake mix – god forbid I give you a cake recipe that involves skill because heaven knows I’m no baker – and one up the sweetness with a bit of salty coconut. Replace the water used in the box of cake mix with coconut water, and then swap out the traditional cream in the leche bath for cream of coconut, and voila, a showstopping dessert with little to no fuss.
Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce (for Potstickers)
If your dumplings need to take a dip into some sweet, salty goodness, whip up this quick and easy dipping sauce. It’s foolproof and accommodating of a bit of variation.
Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon)
These rolls are truly fresh – no cooking involved and they are eaten at room temperature. This is a good recipe to tuck away for those summer nights when you couldn’t be bothered to slave over a hot stove. Or any night that you’re looking for a satisfying crunch of veggies that come in a different delivery mechanism than a meager salad.
Cha Gio (Vietnamese Crispy Spring Rolls)
In making cha gio at home, you’re doing yourself such a lovely service. The process isn’t complicated or fussy, but the resulting taste is complex and rich – one of those food moments that lends itself to memories. If you have vegetarian and vegan friends in the mix, try out the recipe for Summer Rolls and make both at the same time. The condiments are all the same, and you’ll only have to go shopping once for two distinct tastes.
Kanom Jeeb (Steamed Thai Dumplings)
Ah, kanom jeeb – you have officially earned platinum status in the dumpling ranks. You are a mere morsel of goodness, a two-bite treasure, and I thank you for gracing me with your presence. I love you for your simplicity in preparation – no rolling of dough or advanced pinching. No overfilling or fussiness. You are so damn cool.
Rosemary Hibiscus Tea
A combo of rosemary leaves and hibiscus petals, this sweet red treat was tart and garnet-colored like cranberry juice, only a little milder and much more floral. It’s so delectable, it’ll make you spit your cosmo out the window and drink these from now on instead.
Watercress Pesto
This recipe has such an air of sophistication, I’d think to rename it “Watercresto”. Except then it’d sound smarmy. Treat it like a condiment and make a little magic. *singing* You can do MAGIC! You can have ANYTHING that you desire. And, yes, I’m a dork and am singing America while I post my recipes.
Fresh Guacamole (and Bean Tostadas)
Apparently, NYC feels a need to charge a premium for fresh guacamole goodness. They buy a mocajete (stone mortar) and a pestle, have some dude wheel a cart of fresh ingredients to your table, and for the tableside prep, charge you a hefty $12 – 15 depending on how fancy the restaurant. You can make this guacamole for around $5 at home. All that’s left is to buy some top shelf añejo and make some fresh lime margaritas to seal the deal.
MFA Film Program Ads
My skyscraper ads for the MFA Film Program at CCNY – which, by the way, is an awesome way to become an Oscar winner. I’m just saying. Click on the thumbnails to see the full versions.
T-Shirt Design for Capital Challenge Walk MS 2010
Had a little fun putting together a design for the National MS Society’s call for entries for a training t-shirt design for the Capital Challenge Walk MS 2010. I was lucky enough to have my design selected – very happy to have another way to contribute to the org that means so much to me.
It [...]
Vegan Potstickers
Vegetarian, vegan or no, give these dumplings a whirl. If you make them at the same time as the chicken or pork versions, not only will you have a veritable dim sum spread in front of you, you’ll be winning the favor of your non-meat eating friends. And friends are a good thing, I hear ;)
ID Complex
Back when I was first forming my thoughts on design education and technology as a tool (as opposed to a crutch or a speed bump), I was interested in the idea of creativity having endless facets and outlets. I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of talented friends in my lifetime, and I’ve always [...]