j 2/16/12 j 2/16/12

Art meets science [cooking without recipes].

Most people who know me consider me a scientist, or a technologist. So, people are often surprised to find that I cook, design clothing and farm.

Science and Art, in spite of the contrast between the two, are fundamental friends. Architecture, for example, relies on science for stability and art for aesthetic.

Art can originate from composing music; composing an image with paint, charcoal or clay; composing clothing from fabric, or gastronomic works from raw ingredients ... the list goes on.

So, I feel thusly about recipes. They're like a paint by number - a metering of art. For food is art, fashion as well, and construction, generally, regardless of medium, is art. Thereby, how does one artist say to another, "this is ugly" or "that is beautiful" as beauty is, clicheedly, in the eye of the beholder. Recipes have a place for ensuring consistency and paint-by-number, despite its less-than-great-reputation, has its place as well. Both allow an individual to reproduce an existing thing.

This is why I provide ingredient lists rather than recipes. The list describes the art but lets the reader interpret and be inspired.

j 2/14/12 j 2/14/12

Strawberry Shortcake (from scratch)

Easy and tasty:

First make the shortcake and let it cool. You can use a baking mix, or the following ingredients:

flour
sugar
salt
baking powder
vanilla
shortening (coconut oil)
dashes of: nutmeg, cayenne pepper and pulverized lavender blooms

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes

Whip the cream with some sugar and vanilla - a few specks of nutmeg, too.

Stop whipping when the cream is soft

Dudes: impress your chick with this - she'll love you for it Chicks: make this for your dude - he'll love you for it

j 2/13/12 j 2/13/12

Gift bag

With plain muslin cotton fabric, you can create a classy custom gift bag.

This is a good beginner project because it is straight forward, however, it uses several techniques. It can be done (almost) entirely on a either serger or a plain sewing machine.

Some helpful tips:

use starch and iron everything (before, during and after construction)
use a cardboard/foamboard/plastic reenforcement for the bottom

j 2/9/12 j 2/9/12

Concept: Henley Hoodie

j 2/9/12 j 2/9/12

Crêpe... kinda

Hungry for crêpe, but can't spare the time? Although blasphemy for a Parisian, flour tortillas can be a handy shortcut. The reality is, for me, crêpe is usually just a vehicle for Nutella.

Because I'm often asked for a recipe, or technique, I'm going to try to post at least two photos: the final product and the technique/ingredients...

Simply spread and grill until crispy.

j 2/7/12 j 2/7/12

Concept: Long sleeve, Longneck Polo

Construction: interlock knit

j 2/6/12 j 2/6/12

Concept: Fleece lined diagonal zip jacket

Construction: Poly-fleece lining Woven poly shell

j 2/4/12 j 2/4/12

Grilled Pois Chiche Wraps [vegan]

chopped/mashed chickpeas
wilted spring mix or spinach*
tomatoes
avocados

Fold ingredients in tortilla and grill/fry until crispy.

* wilt by lightly sauteing in olive oil

j 2/3/12 j 2/3/12

Thai Noodle Salad [vegan]

rice noodles
curry paste
peanut sauce
cashews
carrots
broccoli
tomatoes
spring mix
tofu
avocado

Sauté tofu until browned
Soak rice noodles until soft then sauté with curry paste and peanut sauce until done.
While still hot, add the noodles to the spring mix and other vege.
Toss and serve.

j 1/31/12 j 1/31/12

Concept: Asymmetrical Collar Pullover

Fabric: cotton interlock knit

j 1/31/12 j 1/31/12

Antipasti

Chèvre seared tofu with roasted red peppers and Greek/Spanish olives.

Sauté salted tofu until it's slightly chewy and let it cool. Then spread goat cheese on each side. Return to a hot, oiled pan for a few moments until chèvre is browned. Serve with whatever vege floats your boat.