asparagus & broccoli risotto

This week, after seeing two recipes for risotto show up in my blog reader I thought to myself, maybe it’s time I try to make some myself. Despite needing a bit of attention on the stove, it was very simple to make and so rewarding to eat. One of my favorite meals is rice & broccoli, and this risotto is basically just the fancy version of that. This dish will easily impress any dinner guest.

I followed this recipe and just subbed out the zucchini for broccoli and asparagus (and of course, left out the pesto). It was creamy and so full of flavor, I just couldn’t get enough. I might have to make risotto all the time now. I’m ok with that too.

Mad Men Premiere Party

It’s time to get serious about the season premiere of Mad Men this weekend. Are you excited? I am! I don’t watch a ton of television, but Mad Men is just so darn good. More than that though, I’m really excited that we’re going to have a 60’s themed cocktail party and watch with our friends. Any excuse to dress up and have fancy drinks is good for me.

I’ve been brainstorming appetizers for weeks now and have settled on a few so far. When I asked my mom what appetizers were popular in the early 60’s, she responded with “Boring stuff.” Boring just doesn’t work for me. So here are some ideas that are simple and easy to make, but still fun.

Pigs in a Blanket – Tofu dogs wrapped in puff pastry, with a side of BBQ sauce. That’s about as easy as it gets.

Jello – There is actually such a thing as vegan jello. You can buy the boxed brand or make your own with agar-agar. The tricky part will be finding cute jello molds. Maybe top these with with some coconut whipped cream.

Deviled “Eggs” – I’ve always wanted to try this recipe. To make things easier though, I may just put the “yolks” on toast.

Obviously though, it’s essential that we have a well stocked bar to make cocktails. I’m thinking some Moscow Mules & Old Fashions. I suppose it’s appropriate to also have martinis but then I need to get some darn martini glasses that I may never use again. Don’t know how to make these classics? Recipes below!

I really want a punch bowl too. This isn’t exactly traditional cocktail party style, but it’s spring and it would be fun to have some citrus fruit drink.

Ok, let’s get on to those drink recipes.

 

Old Fashioned

• 2 oz whiskey or bourbon
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 orange twist

In a cocktail shaker or large glass, muddle the sugar with the bitters and a splash of water or seltzer until the sugar is dissolved. Fill with ice and stir in alcohol until chilled. Strain into a double old fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a twist.

 

Moscow Mule

• 2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4 oz ginger ale (chilled)
• 1 lime wedge

In a tall glass, mix vodka and lime juice. Add ice and pour in ginger ale. Garnish with lime.

Then of course there is also the important element of what to wear. I’ll be a search for the perfect party dress. Can I make my hair into a beehive? I don’t know but I’d sure like to try.

 

Do you want to have a Mad Men party too? I hope so. What will you serve?

spring

It is the first day of spring. The sunshine has cast out the gloom and new things are on the horizon. It is time for dusting off the cobwebs in dark corners and turning to face new and growing life. It’s time for flowers.

I am notoriously good at killing plants. I’ve even managed to murder my cacti and succulents which you basically never need to water. I love these hanging fabric planters though. A girl can dream right? Maybe one day when we have a yard I’ll have some plants that grow.

What are you looking forward to this spring?

wilderness

We’re back from Austin! It was such an exciting and eventful trip, but I’m glad to be home and back to work on some creative projects that have been brewing in my mind. I’ve always thought the sign of a good trip is when you return to you regular life inspired and compelled.

So much happened in the 10 days I was in Austin and I want to share some of the impressive films we saw and the wonderful places we ate and explored. That will come soon.

First though, I wanted to talk to you all (since I really see this blog as sort of a discussion place) about some themes I saw in many of the SXSW films, that I feel are pervasive in current times. I can’t tell if I notice these things because they’re on my mind or if they’re part of a bigger cultural picture.

A number of the films I saw took place in the woods. I know I wasn’t the only one to notice this. From the opening night feature Cabin in the Woods, to a number of smaller films like Pilgrim Song and Leave Me Like You Found Me, the forest becomes an integral character to the story. In these films, the woods is an incubator for fear, confrontation and self-discovery. This is not a new concept; people getting away from their everyday lives to someplace foreign and mysterious and facing the unknown or themselves. Yet, while someplace foreign could be anywhere (Spain, the desert, a mansion), many of these filmmakers chose the woods as their setting.

So the wilderness as location becomes a striking trend, and in doing so, I find myself questioning why. On one hand, you could think that these films were just the best pieces, or that the programmers curated on a theme, but perhaps its just pervasiveness of the subject matter. I know that I am personally intrigued by the forest and have always been, but more so recently than other times. This leads me to believe that this is something that others are experiencing as well. What is the draw? Is it a desire to get away from the rampant technology of our present? Or is it the inclination to go back to something more natural and hands on? There are so many other movements, particularly in food cultivation, that align with this tendency that I can’t see it as a coincidence alone.

The other trend that I saw, although more subtle and ambiguous, was that of community. This is a concept that has been simmering in my thoughts for years, as a resident of Los Angeles, a city with very little community at all, so I know this theme popped up through my eyes and may not have for others. Also, I feel that I need to clarify what I mean when I say community as well, because in using that word, I am meaning a broad spectrum from simple gatherings (such as in the film Eating Alabama) to essentially cults (like in The Source). There have been more an more films and television shows focused on communal living and various cults recently (for example Martha Marcy May Marlene and Big Love), and while the portrayals aren’t all positive, there is a definitely more focus on the subject than previous years. In passing enough time from when fringe cults were more popular are we seeking to understand them? Or maybe it’s the rise of Mormonism* in the news. Why is art now focused on something that many people won’t relate to? More importantly why are we relating to it?

Beyond that, part of bringing this up, is not just noticing more films about community but a great deal of focus from the blogosphere as well. Community is not a just a buzzword that so many are aiming for, it’s a central focus of many projects from food to design to (obviously) events. Do we all feel this disconnected from each other? It is as if the hyper-connectivity of social media has made everyone long for a tangible way to come together with others, whether through food or music or even shared living spaces.

I know my own personal interests in these subjects, but I’m wondering if others are noticing these trends as well, or if it’s just my own focus. What are your thoughts? Are you dreaming of living in the woods with others? I am.

*I don’t think Mormonism is a cult any more than I think any religion is a cult, so take from that what you will.

a few days in Austin

We’re still in Austin and it has been quite the wild ride. We’ve been rushing around seeing movies all week and have barely had a moment to rest. It’s been great. When I arrived it was cold and pouring rain. Yesterday it was sunny and 80°. We haven’t had a ton of time to explore restaurants like we usually do, but have hit up some really awesome spots anyway. I love that nearly every place serves drinks in jars. It’s fun. I tried boba / bubble tea for the first time ever and it was so good, I think I’m obsessed.

Just wanted to check in and share a few snap shots from the past few days, and  say I’ll be back soon!

Oh! Also, I did a little guest post over at Unstitched, check it out here.