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Snacking in the Kitchen

~ Culinary Adventures In & Out of the Kitchen. Recipes, Reviews, Culinary Musings.

Monthly Archives: December 2011

Food Photo Styling Workshop – Make Your Food Look as Good as it Tastes, or Better

28 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Photography, Seattle

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Months ago, I was lucky to attend a photo styling workshop with the fabulous, talented, and funny Clare Barboza and Becky Selengut.  I offered my skills as a dishwasher (aka kitchen manager) and in turn was graciously offered a space in the workshop.  I definitely got the better end of the bargain!

I have to admit, I was the only one among the students with the point-and-shoot camera, and might have experienced a bit of camera envy and camera inadequacy.  But I carried through and had a fantastic time.

Here are my favorite and, in my opinion, most successful photos from the shoot.

Thanks ladies!

Lesson: use texture and color.  Sprinkle powdered sugar right at the last moment.  Think of what mood you are trying to set.  In this photo, I went for earthy, natural colors to go along with the cinnamon sticks and sage leaves used as both a garnish and a component in Becky’s butternut squash and apple beignets.

The difficulty with this photo was the food itself.  As delicious as it was, it clearly isn’t the prettiest plate of food we have seen.  The challenge was to allow the food to speak for itself.  How would you photograph rice and dahl?  I chose to go with vibrant colors underneath the plate.  Also, I wanted to showcase the condiments on a side, adding extra color to the composition.

Here’s one more shot.  You can see the additional texture of the wood underneath the condiment plate.  I also garnished the main dish with a dollop of yogurt, hoping to break up the brown colors in the rice and dahl.

The last exercise during the workshop was salad.  We were challenged to plate the salad “outside of the plate” so to speak.  I was immediately drawn to this particular white plate.  I fanned the figs, halved in the center, trying to focus on them as the main ingredient.  On either side of the figs, I arranged toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped and a chunk of blue cheese, sitting in the pool of balsamic.

I am excited to take the lessons I have learned during the workshop and apply them in my future photography projects.  Who knows, perhaps one day, I will too be one of those people with a big camera and multiple lenses!

For now, I continue my search for the next best napkin, surface area, and other fun accessories.

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Good morning – all inclusive breakfast in Lisbon, Portugal

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Portugal, Travel

≈ 3 Comments

You probably don’t want to be too hungry while looking at these photos.  I snapped a few shots from our breakfast at the Internacional Design hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.  Mimosas, cold cuts, quiche, pastries, and coffee!  Makes me one happy girl, and perhaps just a bit tired and hoping for a nap that is not going to happen.  Notice the orange accents at the bar.  I have to say, I haven’t seen that much orange everywhere in a long time.  It makes me feel right at home.

Enjoy!

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Happy Holidays with Cookie Decorating

24 Saturday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Cookies, Decorating, Holidays

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I might not be Martha Stewart, as much as I might want to be, but I do know a thing or two about cookie decorating.  In time that it took a bunch of 5th graders decorate dozens of cookies, smearing icing everywhere in sight, and sneaking in an occasional chocolate chip or two, I decorated six cookies.

Which one is your favorite?

These cookies were decorated at Allrecipes for the Cookies Across America project.

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Project "You Buy, I Cook" ~ For the Love of Orange

21 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Fish, Seattle, You Buy I Cook

≈ 1 Comment

A mother should not admit to having a favorite child.  I should not admit to having a favorite You Buy, I Cook  project. But if I did, this one would be it!  It all started with an article claiming that orange is the color of 2012. Orange, just happens to be my favorite color, ever, no doubt!  After an impromptu facebook chat with my friend Angie, I decided to host a special edition of You Buy, I Cook – For the Love of Orange.


The lovely ladies (in order of appearance) Alla, Angie, Anna, and Kellie came to my kitchen with orange, and other color goodies and we set to cook!

Scroll down to see what we had on the menu.  Interested in a particular “recipe”? Let me know!


The menu:

Carrots with 1000 island dressing
Orange bell pepper salad with tomatoes and cucumbers
Roasted salmon with Persimmon and Kumquat Salsa with Cilantro and Jalapeno



Red and White Quinoa with Sauteed Portabello Mushrooms and Asparagus
Stuffed Orange Peppers with Quinoa
Orange Sorbet with Dark Chocolate Chunks in waffle bowls
Sparkling Peach Wine, Sangria, Iced Tea
and…..
CHEETOS!

Thank you for making this such a delicious celebration of orange!

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Homemade Holiday Gifts Baked to Order: Biscotti

14 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Cookies, Dessert, Gifts, Holidays

≈ 1 Comment

The holidays are just around the corner! If you want to gift your family and friends with delicious, freshly baked biscotti, but don’t have the time, I am here to help!  


Select from several varieties, or pick your personal favorite combination of dried fruit and nuts

*Cranberry and Walnut
*Orange, Cranberry and Pistachios 
*Raisin and Pecan
*Apricot and Walnut
*Poppy Seed and Lemon
*Ginger and Almond
*Chocolate Chip and Walnut
*Clean Your Pantry: combination of dried fruit and nuts


You will get a dozen of biscotti cookies per order, baked to order. Each biscotti is approximately 4-5″ in length, and 1/2″ in width. $15/dozen plus shipping.



Order through the blog or place your order on etsy.


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Cookies Across America with Allrecipes and Nestlé Toll House

09 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Cookies, Decorating, Holidays, Seattle, Volunteering

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http://caa.freshbitesblog.com/caabanner.html

I am so excited to take part of Cookies Across America with Allrecipes and Nestlé Toll House tomorrow!   I will be joining Allrecipes staff and a group of Seattle food bloggers to decorate cookies that will be later donated to Pikes Place Senior Center.


For those of you who can’t make it tomorrow but still want to participate, please pledge to bake cookies during this holiday season and share them with those in need.

http://caa.freshbitesblog.com/caaw.html

Happy holidays!
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Toad in a Hole Meets Pancake

07 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Bacon, Breakfast, Cooking, Recipe

≈ 4 Comments

We all have heard about toad in a hole – a fun breakfast idea where the egg is pan fried inside a piece of toast.  The trick to the dish is to make sure that your bread is toasted and crusty on the outside, the egg white is perfectly set, and the egg yolk is soft and gooey. It can be quite challenging, but when done correctly, totally satisfying.

I normally do not have bread in my kitchen, making toad in a hole an unlikely occurrence.  This morning, craving an egg, I opened my refrigerator and was reminded of the leftover batter from Apple and Bacon Pancakes.  “Why not an egg in a pancake?” I thought.  I pulled out my skillet and got cooking.

To make Egg in a Pancake, heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add vegetable oil and allow the oil to heat up.  Ladle the pancake batter into a pan, I used the apple and bacon pancake batter, but feel free to use your favorite recipe.  Next, carefully crack an egg and place it in the middle of the batter.

Lower the heat slightly, and continue to cook the pancake until the batter bubbles up on top.  Get your spatula, say a prayer, and carefully flip the pancake and the egg.  Cook a few more minutes on the other side, say another prayer, and flip the pancake and the egg onto a warmed up plate.

I drizzled the Egg in a Pancake with syrup and hot sauce.  The egg yolk miraculously stayed soft and created a lovely infusion with the sweet syrup and spicy sauce.

I still have some pancake batter left, what should I do with it next?

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Project "You Buy, I Cook" ~ Apple and Bacon Pancakes

06 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Bacon, Breakfast, Cooking, Recipe, You Buy I Cook

≈ 3 Comments

The third installment of “You Buy, I Cook” is here!  Last time, I made a Salad with Pomegranate and Asian Pear with Priya. This time, my friend Anna came over for a night of Breakfast for Dinner and a movie.  The movie never happened, but we did play a fantastic game of Scrabble.


Just a quick reminder of how this project works – you bring groceries, I cook (you have a chance to cook and learn with me, if you wish), we eat, you do the dishes.


Back to Breakfast for Dinner.  Eggs, bacon, and pancakes came immediately to mind.  Then I had the idea to combine the bacon and pancakes, throw in an apple – and, voila, Apple and Bacon Pancakes were born. We also devoured a plate of sunny side up eggs and roasted potatoes.



Apple and Bacon Pancakes


Ingredients


1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
healthy pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups half-and-half (originally, I wanted to use buttermilk, but apparently the store did not have it, so we settled on half-and-half)
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1-2 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into thin strips (do not use a grater to grate apples – you’ll end up with too much juice and hardly any texture)


Directions


1.  In a large bowl, whisk dry ingredients.  Add the wet ingredients and whisk to combine.  Carefully stir in bacon and apples.



 2.  Heat a large pan over medium high heat.  (I tried using a cast iron skillet and somehow it didn’t work for me.  Since I don’t have a non-stick pan, I ended up using a heavy bottom stainless steel pan).  Add a little bit of oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pan, and allow the oil to warm up.


3.  Use a measuring cup (1/4 c) or a small ladle to make pancakes.  Cook the pancakes for 4-5 minutes on each side.



Once bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes, you know it is time to flip them.  Be sure to flip away from you to prevent any oil splattering.



4.  Add a little bit of oil to the pan between the batches.  Serve the pancakes hot, with a drizzle of syrup and hot sauce.



The good news is the batter keeps well overnight in the refrigerator.  Feel free to make it a day ahead to save some time in the morning (unless you’ll be making these sinful delights for Dinner for Breakfast).


I am guessing you won’t have too many leftovers 🙂



Do you love Breakfast for Dinner?  What is on your menu?


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Culinary Adventures in Portland, Oregon

05 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Chocolate, Coffee, Portland, Restaurant Review, Sandwich, Travel

≈ 2 Comments

We left the turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing behind, packed our bags and headed out to Portland for a post-Thanksgiving weekend away.

Magically, after days of never-ending pouring rain in Seattle, the sky cleared up, the sun made its much appreciated appearance, and the traffic cooperated nicely.

On the way to Portland, we made a stop in Olympia, Washington to pay our respects to the Washington state capital and walk around.  Not wanting to leave right away, we drove to the downtown area and missed it.  That’s right – the downtown is literally just a few blocks in length.

Looking for fuel in the form of caffeine, we stopped at Bonjour Cupcakes bakery.  The bakery had an old charming feel and decor, with scattered cupcake-related merchandise.

We chose two mini cupcakes: red velvet and chocolate mocha, adorned with a chocolate covered coffee bean. While I can’t vouch for the red velvet cupcake (someone is still learning how to share), the chocolate mocha cupcake was a perfect two-bite delight.

Our first meal in Portland was just a few blocks from the hotel (we stayed at the fancy Historic Governor Hotel – thank you http://www.priceline.com).  Kenny and Zuke’s Delicatessen serves up pastrami sandwiches, lots of local beer, and plenty of pickles.  Unfortunately, they were out of latkes for the night, and the gefilte fish has yet to make its appearance on the menu, but the place was bustling with happy customers and we were ready to order.

Pardon for the quality of the photo. The photos in this post were taken with my new phone and could use some work.  Back to the food.  The chicken liver sandwich with pastrami was my favorite.  I honestly would’ve loved it without the pastrami, and will order it plain if I return to the deli.  The pickles were crunchy, and as addicting as ever.  I did like the potato salad and coleslaw, but my body was craving something hot and slightly more nurturing – perhaps a bowl of matzo ball soup would’ve done the trick.

Following the meal, we walked around the downtown area of Portland, taking in the holiday lights and the ever-present determined Black Friday shoppers.  I won’t lie – there was a mandatory stop to the Macy’s shoe department, but somehow I ended up purchasing zilch and taking no advantage of tax-free shopping the entire weekend.

On the way back to the hotel we stumbled across Voodoo Doughnut shop. Along with the glaring neon sign and the long line of patrons that extended outside, the sweet smell of doughnuts beckoned us to come in.  We settled on a Mango Tango (raised yeast doughnut, filled with mango jelly and topped with vanilla frosting and tang!) and Raspberry Romeo’s (raised yeast doughnut, filled with raspberry jelly and glazed on the outside).  

I did enjoy the unusual flavors of Mango Tango and the tanginess that mango added to the doughnut.  I dedicated the doughnut to my sister of MangoTomato and my good friend, and tango extraordinaire Lera.  Unfortunately, Raspberry Romeo’s didn’t fare as well and ended up composed, hardly eaten.

The next day’s adventure started at Fuller’s Coffee Shop.  This traditional, cash only, diner served up heaping plates of eggs, crispy potatoes, and bacon. 



I went for a Mexican-style breakfast of potatoes, smothered with tomatoes, mushrooms (clearly canned, not fresh), spinach, salsa, cheese, and sour cream.  My partner, once again, chose a more delicious option of spinach and sausage scramble with crisp potatoes on the side.  We finished with country white toast smothered with homemade raspberry jam and headed for a 3-hour adventure at the Portland’s Museum of Art – or was it the Portland Art Museum?


The day’s culinary adventures ended at Hollywood Bowling with the mandatory White Russian and a plate of nachos.


The next morning, with the return of rain (I think the city was mourning our departure), we sipped on a cappuccino and a mocha at Portland’s Pearl Bakery cafe.



I got into a heated debate over heating up my chocolate croissant, but the service was refused, and I missed out on warm chocolate, oozing between the thin layers of flaky puffed pastry.


Our adventures of eating ended at a nondescript, perfectly delicious, family-run pho shop with heaping bowls of steaming broth, rice noodles and a few meatballs.  We bid farewell to Portland and headed back to Seattle.


And before I tell you all good bye, here is something we did not eat (found in Olympia, the Washington state capital).



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