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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

eat; quinoa spaghetti with broccoli and toasted pine nuts

hort.purdue.edu

One of the many things I love about the States (well particularly California!) is that you have choices! Quinoa pasta is not an option in Australia, so whenever I am here, I stock up on this amazing food! As you all know, I LOVE PASTA!!!! As Sofia Loren once said "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti". Love that! And having an option that is gluten free is amazing. This is one of my mother's recipes but I've spruced it up with roasted pine nuts, which just lifts this simple dish to the next level.


What you need;
8oz (250g) Quinoa Spaghetti
2 heads of broccoli
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic
1 small chili
1/2 cup pine nuts
olive oil
Parmesan cheese or Nutritional yeast for vegan option
salt and pepper to taste














Start by placing a big pot of salted water on the stove, with heat on high and lid on, so the water can reach boiling point by the time prep is over. Chop the garlic and chilli into tiny pieces. Cut the broccoli into florets placing them into an awaiting colander and rinse under running water.


The water should be at boiling point and ready to throw in the pasta. Follow directions on the pack, making sure you reach an al dente texture and not over!!!! Nothing worse than soggy pasta!!!!

Toast the pine nuts in a dry fry pan (no oil) until golden in colour, tossing frequently. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly!!! Set aside.

Add a little oil to another pot and saute the garlic and chili until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets and 1/2 cup of water. Be careful not to splash it in as you may burn yourself! Stir it all through and place a lid on it. Allow it to simmer on a low heat until the broccoli is well cooked, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to your liking at any stage. Keep an eye on it as it's cooking, making sure it doesn't dry out too much. Add more water if it does, but only a small amount at a time. You certainly don't want the broccoli to swim in it!

Your broccoli should look like this picture. A little mushy, but still holding shape when cooked.


Look at this picture of beautiful golden heaven!!!!! Your pasta should be ready by the time the broccoli is ready. If not, just set the broccoli aside, off the heat until the pasta is done. Strain the spaghetti and then place back into the pot you used to cook it in. Add the broccoli and toss gently.


To serve, use tongs. I've put this picture in to show you how I do it. With one hand holding the plate and the other holding the spaghetti, turn the plate around as you slowly let go of your grip on the spaghetti. The effect will be a lovely 'pile' of spaghetti as seen in the picture at the beginning of this post. Add the pine nuts to the individual plates and serve with Parmesan or nutritional yeast.



YUMMMMMMM!!!!! I'm outta here to buy some quinoa pasta to make this tonight!

Buon Appetito!!!

pink; padded cell

http://jenniferrubell.com/images/happenings/upload/_MG_3606copy_2.jpg

Check this out!!!! I came across an article in The New Yorker whilst lazing on the beach in San Diego on the weekend about Jennifer Rubell. She is an artist who uses food in her work, which caused me to do some research. AND I FOUND THIS!!!!! It is a padded cell made of fairy floss (cotton candy!!!!).  I thought I would love ANYTHING made with fairy floss but this gives me the creeps! 

It is a freestanding structure to replicating a padded cell and was created for a dinner party Rubell hosted as part of her exhibition. The guests were not allowed in until after 9pm causing them to be excited about the idea of being surrounded by pink fairy floss (cotton candy) yet disturbed by the thought of entering a padded cell.

 

Here is an excert from Rubells website;

Padded cell is an 8’X16’ freestanding room constructed of basic building materials, with a single door that contains a plexiglass window. Inside, the walls and ceilingare padded with pink cotton candy, and a bare light bulb hangs in the center. The door is opened at 9pm, but the interior is visible through the window throughout the evening. The Red Party’s main dinner is served inside a Russian-themed constructivist set, and Padded Cell acts as an escape from that, an all-American funhouse that is at the same time confining, threatening, claustrophobic. It is an object that addresses the dark side of pleasure, the price of pleasure, the possibility that pleasure is its own punishment. Approximately 1,600 cones of cotton candy are used in its construction.

I do love the pics of people eating the fairy floss and the way it looked after the attack!


Rubell has totally inspired me this week. She has been the first artist in a long time to really get me going with my own practice. As you all know, I love food but will never give up art for it. This artist has reminded me I don't have to and has inspired me to bring the food into my practice. Watch out guys! The next exhibition I have might require you all to come with an empty belly!!!!


love; ten things i love this week

wikio.com
1. This video David Lynch created to promote his new coffee range. Pretty wacky really but what do you expect from a man who hung outside on a busy corner in L.A with a live cow and a picture of Laura Dern to promote her role in Inland Empire for best actress?!?! LOVE!








3. This crazy video on youtube I came across while doing some research for an upcoming project. I really love the reactions from the people sitting there on their way home! LOVE!







4. I showed you months ago cats with wigs, this week I stumbled across dogs with wigs! Check it out here! LOVE!











5. These 'typewriter paintings'! how cool is this?!?!?!







6. More paper...check out Jum Nakao paper dresses! Here is a link to his fliker account. LOVE!











ontravel.com
7. The reports about mating turtles stopping traffic on the JFK runway. What better way to stop traffic! LOVE!!!











8. Going to San Diego with Nat for her birthday and wearing our tiara's all weekend! What a way to get free drinks!!! LOVE!!





9. Spending the day at the beach at Coronado, San Diego. Nothing like just hanging with friends, reading magazines and eating! LOVE!!!






10. Taking video footage of carousels!!! It's all happening and I'm soooo loaded with ideas that I can't wait for my next exhibition!!! The carousel in this picture is the one at Griffith Park. It's where Walt Disney was inspired to create Disneyland!!!!  LOVE!!!