Life During Photography Travels :: Summer 2012

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Click to see more of the fun... Life During Photography Travels :: Summer 2012

The Origin of My Love for Food!

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Spending time in the kitchen is a big part of my family and our memories... Its something we all love to do. Often I get asked where did you learn to cook and find your love for food. I remember as a little girl,  picking berries with my daddy and returning home with berry stained hands and mouth. We would get to work baking pies.

Memories like this are something I held onto after my daddy died. As I grew and kept cooking it gave me a sense of being close to him and those memories. 

My mom was supportive of my brother, Adam, and my creative endeavors in the kitchen... no matter how big a mess we made! Its something that has shaped who my brother and I are today and the passion for food we both have.

This past weekend Adam and I got together to make homemade Tortellini! Adam in the past year has become a master at pasta and pizza. Much like I have spent the past several years, reading and practicing everything I could about photography, he has done the same with Italian cooking. It is impressive the dishes he turns out. Here is a glimpse into the process! 

Adam has a pasta press that he rolled his fresh dough into sheets and then cut the in circles. Meanwhile I made a portabello mushroom filling for the Tortellini. 

He then stuffed and shaped them into the cute little tortellinis. 

The best part of his homemade pasta is the amazing rich and flavorful tomato sauce he mades from scratch. This batch was made with tomatoes and basil fresh from the garden. I might be partial, but Adam's pasta dishes are better than any restaurants I have had. This one was the same. Melt in your mouth. 

Nachos worth "flying" for!

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Meet the most amazing nachos ever! On a recent photography trip to Texas two of my clients suggested we stop so I could try their new favorite place, Yucatan Taco Stand. I am forever grateful to them... well, except for the fact they introduced me to my new favorite food that is miles away in Texas. :( They are so good I'd be tempted to hop on a plane just to get them!

For $8 you get this huge plate of nachos, covered in a garlic aioli sauce, a queso sauce, shredded veggies, cilantro, cabbage, queso fresco, and a huge serving of guacamole. Oh and to top it off... there is this sweet and spicy sauce at every table! If you are ever in the Fort Worth area you must visit, Yucatan Taco Stand!

The two fabulous girls, Cooky & Sam, who introduced me to my new favorite food!

Rosemary Maple Popcorn with Sea Salt

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Popcorn and movies seem to go hand and hand. I love recreating and adding to traditional food. So of course my Saturday night popcorn would also get a spin on it. I tried several different combo... but the winner:

Rosemary Maple Popcorn with Sea Salt

|| Ingredients ||

2 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 1/2 tablespoon rosemary leaves

1/4-3/4 sea salt... add to taste

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

|| Directions ||

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place corn kernels and butter in large pot over med-high heat and cover. Once kernels pop shake frequently till slows to 3 second internal pops. Remove from heat, uncover. Transfer to large bowl.

2. Cook butter and syrup in med. saucepan over med-high heat. Stir constantly until mixture starts to turn amber.

3. Remove from heat. Stir in rosemary, salt and baking soda. Pour over popcorn mixture, toss to coat. Spread on baking sheet.

4. Bake about 30 mins or until dried. Allow to cool, break into chunks and enjoy with your favorite movie!

A love affair with Gelato...

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There is honestly nothing better then Gelato... well, maybe not. But I must say it is one of my favorite desserts! Last year while in Italy visiting my friend, Jess, I would daily wander the city of Florance, gelato in hand.

I've tried gelato in little shops back home in the US... but they don't quite compare. That is until...

I tried Talenti Gelato!

Talenti is right up there with the Gelatos of Italy. I stumbled upon it one day in the grocery,

and I should probably regret that day. I've tried the Salted Caramel and the Caribbean

Coconut, both are divine! Now I can have a little taste of Italy without hopping a plane.

Source: Caressa on Pinterest

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas!

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On the eleventh day of Christmas

Caressa shared with me,

Eleven delicious drink recipes,

Ten winter must haves,

Nine free Christmas tunes,

Eight framed art collections,

Seven fun photo gifts,

Six creative custom christmas cards,

Five festive photo ornaments,

Four legged friends,

Three blue eyed beauties,

Two lucky winners,

And Santa's little helper for all to see.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Source: tastykitchen.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Orange Spiced Chai

Source: pauladeen.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Cocoa

Source: bhg.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Peppermint Chocolate Coffee

Source: pauladeen.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Hot Cider Nog

Source: southernliving.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Chai Latte

Source: myrecipes.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Pomagranate

Source: my.hearthealthyonline.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Source: munchinwithmunchkin.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Peppermint Punch

Source: bhg.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Source: laurenconrad.com via Caressa on Pinterest

White Hot Chocolate

Source: pauladeen.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Hot Cranberry Cider

Source: pauladeen.com via Caressa on Pinterest

Ready for Fall!

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Here in Tennessee fall is in the air... With low 70* degree temps its call to start enjoying some of my favorite fall things. This morning I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast outside with two of my favorite girls. A nice cup of coffee and Pumpkin Scones with Chai Icing made it a perfect soon-to-be fall morning!

The sunflowers on the table are just a hint of a great photo shoot preview I'll soon be sharing! :)

Naan

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My roommates and I are having people over for Indian food tonight and I volenteered to make the Naan. Naan is a clay-oven bread from India that is known to puff up like a crisp, tender pastry quilt. I've never made it before but found a recipe on The Seattle Times site for Homemade Naan.

I've heard that making bread, actually the kneading part, is relaxing for some people. I had never thought so till I found myself kneading the Naan dough today. It might be the fact that it had an amazing elastic consistence. However, I tend to think that after the crazy, stressful day it has been, it just felt good to focus on the dough and the motion of kneading. Way past the required kneeding time 40 pieces of Naan were ready for the oven and I was much less stressed.

The Naan looks so yummy. I can't wait for our friends to arrive and try it. I'd like to think it's a result of all the kneading I put into it! :)If you are ever in need of a de-stressor or just a delicious bread option try making a batch. You'll be hooked!

Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Apple Relish

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I was in a creative cooking mood tonight and came up with this Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Apple Relish... As I was making it I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out. However, the moment I took my first bite I knew it was a winner... So I'm sharing it with you. Try it and let me know what you think!

Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Apple Relish

1 onion, chopped finely

1 clove of garlic

2 T. olive oil

1 t. Chipotle en Adobo (can be substituted with other hot sauce... However, I love the smoky rich flavor that comes with it.)

1 T. brown sugar

1 t. cumin powder

2 t. salt

1 8oz can of pumpkin puree

2 C. vegetable stock

2 C. plain soymilk or regular milk

1. Saute the onion, garlic, Abobo, brown sugar, cumin and salt in olive oil, till onions are translucent.

2. Add pumpkin, stock, and milk and let simmer. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.

3. While soup is simmering make the relish.

4. I topped my bowl with Whole Wheat Panko Bread Crumbs and then the relish. ( The Panko Crumbs added a nice crunch and texture to the soup. However, you could easily skip it.)

Cranberry Apple Relish

Combine in a bowl:

1 apple, finely chopped (I used Pink Lady)

1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped

1 t. lemon juice

1 t. garlic salt

1 t. honey

1 t. cinnamon

A Tiramisu to Remember!

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My love for Tiramisu began over two years ago in Rosario, Argentina. My best friend, Alli Gerard and I had taken a weekend trip to Rosario during our semester studying in Argentina. We had been site seeing all day and were famished. After an amazing meal of Pumpkin Ravioli we decided to treat ourselves to Tiramisu. It was my first taste of Tiramisu and I shall forever remember it! It had an incredible amount of the luscious cream filling and just enough of the lady fingers.

The above picture is after we had taken our first bite. Since then whenever Alli and I are together and Tiramisu is an option on the menu there is no question we will finish our meal with it. Unfortunately, we have not yet met a Tiramisu that has beat that first experience in Argentina. Do you have a favorite food that is forever etched in your memory? I'd love to hear about it!

Life as a Caterer!

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"Why don't you become a chef? You're so good at cooking!" This is a something I have heard all my life...I must admit I have tossed the idea around. Well, these last couple weeks I have been given the opportunity to see what that life would be like.

I'll be heading to Idaho, June 11, to work at Camp Mivoden as their photographer for the rest of the summer. But I have several weeks free before. Rather than sit around home bored till then, I decided to take on the job as caterer.

3 days, 13 dessert trays, 612 treats= Week 1 done!

Next up 12 (15-25 people) full catered lunches!

Combining Some of the Best Things in Life!

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My Aunt Becky sent me to Beatrice Peltre's food photography site, telling me, "Talk about combining some of the best things in life!" Beatrice's photos capture the unique presentation of her food. I think I might have to take a shot at food photography now! Thanks Aunt Becky for sending some inspiration my way!

Images taken from [http://www.latartinegourmande.com/]