8.30.2010

8.28.2010

Writer's Block

old and new copies of Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, Fantastic Man, T Magazine
mixed with travel photos, books, and stones
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8.25.2010

Enzo Mari for Artek: Autoproggettazione at the Conran Shop



"la forma risponde al significato del oggetto."--enzo mari


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Sirena, alla McMenamy





all images, courtesy of vogue.it

I am intrigued by the boundless depths of Steven Meisel's imagination.
Namely, his conceptualization for the August issue of Vogue Italia, "Water and Oil,"
portraying Kristen McMenamy as an apocalyptic sea nymph awash
in oil and couture. We arrive closer to the etymological origin
of the word decadence, to which the leggy muse McMenamy may
stand as a harbinger.
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8.18.2010

Reminiscences

ukha, la minestra russa da Io Sono L'Amore

"
The first colors that made a strong impression on me
were bright, juicy green, white, carmine red, black and yellow ochre.
These memories go back to the third year of my life. I saw these colors
on various objects which are no longer as clear in my mind as the colors themselves."
-kandinsky, "Reminiscences"

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8.04.2010

Notes from an Italian Summer




If you've been checking in throughout the past few weeks,
you'll have already noticed my culinary obsession with italy and summer.
I often reflect on my adventures in that wonderful place, and food
(and its preparation) offers the most visceral re-connection. I offer to
the jury Phaidon's latest bookshelf marvel, Recipes from an Italian Summer,
as a potent device for rendering oneself defenseless against severe bouts of
longing for the motherland, and its delectable bounty.

You may even give in and try something completely new, such as my foray
into the delicate zucchini blossom. After many requests, I have posted my
newly vaunted recipe below.



Natalie & Lisa's ricotta-stuffed Zucchini Flowers
(Fiori di Zucca Ripieni)

what you will need:
13 - 18 cleaned zucchini flowers
3 lg eggs
1 cup fresh ricotta
1/4 cup grated parmesan
wondra/flour
fresh herbs, such as thyme, basil, parsley
cooking oil, such as canola or peanut
s&p



Step 1: assemble the filling -- in a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, parmesan, herbs, and egg, making sure to evenly distribute the egg. add salt & pepper to taste.

(in the meantime, make sure to gingerly remove the stamens (i.e. male sexyparts)
from your zucchini flowers
-- you don't want to bite into that.)

Step II: Stuffing and breading -- with a small spoon or pastry bag, fill each flower
with a dollop of filling, making sure not to add so much that the flower won't be
able to close. With your fingers, "close" and twist shut the petals of each flower.
Break the remaining eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk with a few tablespoons of
water to create an egg wash. Pour an ample amount of flour into an identical bowl, and season with salt&pepper to your liking.


Step III: Sizzle in a frying pan
Now the dance begins -- you are ready to coat the flowers in a layer of egg and flour, and
then into the frying pan. Fill a deep skillet with about 1 cup of oil, and place on high heat until the oil gets smoky.

Once you have coated the blossoms in egg and flour, fry them in the skillet no more
than 3 at a time on 1 minute per side.

Remove blossoms when thoroughly browned and
place onto a tray lined with paper towels.

each batch serves 6-8 people as antipasto (made only for the ones you love)
pairs well with an heirloom tomato panzanella

buon appetito!





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