Been loving my photography class. Today, we took portraits. This one was my favourite.

I was going through old photos and came across these couple of shots I took while I was in Istanbul earlier this year. 
I remember being enamored with the colours of the flags in the first two photos, crisp and vivid, and striking against the ornate and umbral backdrop of the Ortaköy mosque on a cloudy day.  Next door was an abandoned brick building, with a similar faded character that I liked as a contrast to the bright flags.  Turns out that building was actually the same site where I had attended a party several days prior.  The next two photos are of that venue, lit beautifully and eerily by lamps, fire eaters and the moon.  I love how objects and edifices transform with just a change in lighting and atmosphere.

today's left of center photo was taken during a lovely little trip to my friend sarah's cottage two weekends ago.  it's a yearly summer tradition of ours, to pack nearly twenty of us friends into sarah's beautiful place on the lake.  the days are spent swimming, sailing, and sunning...the nights are spent drinking, dancing, and debauching.  it's often the highlight of my year, and this time was no exception.

this particular pic is of my friend derin, well, derin's hand, picking seashells by the shore.  he and alex were giddily plucking them from the water, and piling them up on a stone.  i just love the luster of the nacre, and the contrast of the earthen colours.  i hope you do, too.

yes, i said it.  and i meant it.  i've concocted THE PERFECT raspberry mojito. 
i mean, come on, just LOOK at it.  doesn't it just scream perfection?  (and humility on my part?!)

i was first turned on to raspberry mojitos when i was in miami several years back, at my cousin's wedding.  the barkeep had fresh fruit on hand, and a vigorous muddling technique -- a key, but often overlooked, step in the mojito-making process.  needless to say, it was love at first sip...and second...and third...and...

Steph's Perfect Raspberry Mojito
I should really credit the bartender who introduced me to this particular libation, but I remember neither his name, nor his recipe (a testament to how good his drinks were).  This recipe is just what I've found has worked well for me over the years.  It's my favourite drink to make at parties because it's just so damn easy, especially since I stumbled upon using ginger ale, thus eliminating the need for measuring sugar or making simple syrup. 

1 1/2 oz white rum [I would always recommend using the best alcohol you can afford, but to be honest, I've used plain old Bacardi and it worked just fine.]
1 pint fresh raspberries [Local, from the farmers' market.  None of this flown in from Chile business.]
Fresh mint leaves and mint sprigs [Hyper-local, from the garden.  Or from the market if you haven't got a green thumb.]
Ginger ale [I may be biased because I'm Canadian, but I SWEAR, Canada Dry is the best type to use.  I think it's because it's sweeter than most other brands.]
Lime wedges
Straws
Ice

Muddle mint leaves, fresh raspberries and lime juice in the serving glass (no need for a mixing glass because I like to keep all the goods in the drink -- it looks good, illustrates the freshness, and cuts down on dishes).  I typically use about 7 mint leaves, a small handful of raspberries (about 6) and the juice of a lime wedge.  Add 1 1/2 oz light rum and ice into the glass and stir well (you can shake the rum and ice in a cocktail shaker, but again, really no need for the added pomp).  Top with ginger ale.  Garnish with fresh mint sprig and a fresh lime wedge, and add a straw (otherwise, your guests will be eating, rather than drinking the cocktail!).  Enjoy!

don't know how i managed to do this, but i've made one of the best meals i've ever made--while sick.

i gotta pat myself on the back again, friends.  not only did i bake up a storm this week, but i also cooked up a hurricane.  

i did it. 

did what, you ask? 

i did the impossible.

i made the most delicious baked good without gluten, without dairy, and without sugar.  i.e. WITHOUT JOY.  I MADE JOY WHERE THERE WAS NONE.  i am a certified miracle maker, people.  eat your heart out, irma.

on that note, may i present to you: steph's joyful pumpkin bread with currants and pecan! 

[cue applause]

this was my second foray into "joyless" baking (the first attempt truly was joyless), and i gotta tell you, this thing turned out GREAT.

surprisingly moist, super flavourful, and all-around delicious.  i got this recipe from the only real gluten-free and sugar-free (and mostly dairy-free) cookbook out there: Gluten Free, Sugar-Free Cooking by Susan O'Brien (i know, what an original name).  so far i'm 1 for 2 with her recipes, so as i continue to try more, i'll let you know if this is worth purchasing.

right when this sucker came out of the oven, i just had to try a piece--and omg, i nearly died.  next thing you know, i've got myself in a tizzy about what the perfect accompaniment would be, and then i've got a knife in one hand, and coconut butter in the other, and a huge stupid grin across my face.  mm-mmmmm. 

of course, i had to document this accomplishment.  hope you like the photo.  but trust me when i tell you that it tasted even better than it looked.

xoxo

Justyna and I traveled to El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia last weekend.  We're a wee bit tired ;)

I gotta tell you guys, if you haven't made it to the Redhook Ballfields yet, you're totally missing out.  As Justyna aptly noted, "This food is so authentic, it almost tastes fake." 

First, we sampled a loroco y queso pupusa--a Salvadorian specialty.  A pupusa is a thick, handmade maize flat bread.  Loroco is a vine flower bud from Central America. So unique and delicious!  This dish came with pickled cabbage--not my fave, but an interesting accompaniment. 

Then came the cashew juice and horchata, one of my favourite beverages made of rice milk and cinnamon.  I may or may not have drank most of horchata (sorry, J!).

And the fried plaintains--oh the plantains!  These ones weren't the crispy kinds that look and taste like thick chips--these were decadent, almost as creamy as the cream they drizzled on top.  Look at how it glistens in the bright sunlight!  Yum!

I think Justyna loved the elote (roasted corn on the cob) the best--and I don't blame her. Bathed in mayonnaise, grated cheese, and red chili powder--I'd swim around in that mixture of condiments, too, if it'd make me that savoury. 

And finally, as if our arteries weren't clogged enough, we waddled over to the Mexican truck selling huaraches. These long, oval-shaped corn tortillas were named for their shape--literally meaning "slippers" or "sandals"--and hand-patted with a centre of black bean puree, then baked on a griddle.  The slightly cupped shape made it the perfect vessel for our filling of beef, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and hot sauce.  To die for.

The trucks are closing up shop for the year in late October, so you've only got a few more weekends to head out for the best Latin American food New York has to offer!

from little red pochettes to little red flowers, my time in scandanavia was punctuated by splashes of this beautiful, bright colour. it's funny, even though i'm chinese, and red is a fortuitous colour, i've never been particularly drawn to it. only recently have i found myself picking out more red items in shops, and photographing more red items through my lens. guess i'm expanding my colour repertoire--not everything has to be blue for me to love it :)

first photo: 'through the fence, charlottenlund'
second photo: 'hamlet's little red flower'

latest installment of left of center: a photo taken at the louisiana museum of modern art in humlebæk, dk--one of the most aesthetically pleasing museums i have ever visited.  you would think that such spaces would reflect the art and design it houses, but gosh, i've been to so many dull, poorly laid out, uninspired galleries and museums. but this, this was different. perched right on the water, with luscious greenery and a wonderful sculpture garden, it's the perfect place to experience and appreciate art.  i've also added a screen-grab of the new acquisitions poster i wanted (typography heaven), but forgot to get--i was too busy admiring the vista!  guess that means i'll have to return...