It's that time again.

Here are the latest issues of Matchbook and Rue magazines.  Enjoy!

VvV Amanda

Well, That's Just Brie-lliant!

So by now, I hope ya'll know a little bit about how much Amanda and I love food. Especially CHEESE. I literally would give away one of my limbs for the last block of cheese on earth, if that gives you a bit of context. So when I saw that Bath Spa University fashion students had created the most brie-lliant (hehe) outfits made entirely of cheese, I was thrilled! The students used over 2,000 lbs of cheddar cheese in order to fashion some interesting couture gowns. Check out some photos of their masterpieces below:

Lisa Dillon also created a pair of "Jimmy Cheese" heels to add to the collection, using bread and cheddar cheese. 

images/ Daily Mail

The only problem for me is that I would have eaten the dresses (and the bag too ...although perhaps not the shoes) by the time I actually got to my destination. So much cheddar, so little time. This is sort of along the same vein as Lady Gaga's meat dress, huh? And definitely reminiscent of Fulvio Bonavia's edible accessories as well as Sung Yeon Ju's Wearable Foods. Hm.. I see a pattern forming here. I guess I might be slightly obsessed with food worn as clothing... let's just pretend that's normal for now, okay? 

Have a happy weekend! It's Amanda's 23rd birthday on Sunday, so eating lots of meat products will definitely be involved. Look forward to pictures!

♥, Azzara

HOMEMADE PESTO

Had a big bunch of basil that was on the verge of going brown so making pesto was the only way to go. I based it on a Mark Bittman recipe that was super easy and fast.  A definite idea for summer, good in pastas, on meat, on bruschetta, tomato/basil/mozz salad, etc.  And you know pesto is so expensive in stores- this probably only totaled about 3 dollars- another reason to try it out.  Kinda wish I could say I used my own home grown basil but those wilted long ago.  HOWEVER, my other veggie plants are coming on strong (more on that later) and because of that I've gotten ambitious and started to germinate watermelon and eggplant seeds this past weekend.  Viva la veggies. 

Homemade Pesto


At least 2 cups lightly packed basil leaves, stems removed
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. toasted walnuts or pinenuts
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup grated parmesan or other hard cheese (optional)
Salt to taste


Whizz together basil, half of the oil, nuts, crushed garlic cloves in a food processor or blender.  When it's smooth gradually add the rest of the oil and adjust the salt level to your liking. Stir in parmesan at the end. That's it! Simple and tasty. You can store it on your fridge for about a week or freeze if you want to keep it longer. 


I added an extra garlic clove for an more kick and didn't use as much olive oil but you should adjust it depending on what consistency you prefer. 


VvV Amanda

Food Food FOOD

I just got home from college (for the last time.. oh my goodness!) so I thought I'd post some of the fun thangs I've been up to the past few weeks before graduation. Two weeks ago I went to the SoWa market in Boston, and wandered around the farmer's market tasting every sample possible (honey, salmon paté, cheese, pesto... the list goes on). The food trucks were amazing too. I seriously think I had the best damn lamb skewer of all time from Silk Road BBQ.

Lots and lots of cooking has been occurring too, including a huge food fiesta last week with mustard-crusted chicken, rice pilaf, stir-fry beef n veggies and of course an overabundance of wine and cheese. Mah dear Caroline made a loaf of bread which I positively devoured with a touch of the honey bought at SoWA. We also decided to test out the crispy potato roast pinched from everyone's favourite Smitten Kitchen, adding in some garlic and green onions for good measure. I seriously want to eat it all over again.

Graduation was just as long and emotional as expected, but now it's time for summer in NYC. Horraaaay. Stay tuned for news of Amanda & Azzara's summer reunion, which will most definitely include food, fun and forking out money we don't have for shopping. 

♥, Azzara

BLOOD ORANGE SORBET

My aunt from sunny California sent me a huge boxful of blood oranges (thank goodness for flat rate shipping)!  They're really pretty although not totally ripe in the middle so I thought it best to make a sorbet out of the tart juice and pulp.  It turned out pretty good and if you wanted to try it'd probably work great with any kind of freshly squeezed fruit juice.  Great for the summer and very refreshing.  A scoop of it would even be good in tonic water or champagne...

Blood Orange Sorbet
2 cups orange juice with or without pulp
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cups water


Boil the water and sugar together for about a minute after it starts bubbling to make a simple syrup and let that cool while you juice the oranges.  Combine orange juice and simple syrup and then refrigerate.  Pour into sorbet/ ice cream maker and in 15-20 min it's ready.


If you don't have an ice cream maker then you can make a granita by putting the combined liquid into a freezer safe container.  Scrape the juice as it freezes every once and a while to get the icy chopped up texture. After it completely freezes it should be ready to serve. 


I think next time I try to make this I'm going to put the orange segments in a food processor to get a more even juice/ puree before combining. Might make a big difference texturally but without this step it still works. 


Happy Memorial Day weekend!  May it be relaxing and fun for all.


VvV Amanda

SUMMER SHOWS

TASTY cupcakes from friday at Sugar Sweet Sunshine.  Yes, I got two for myself, don't judge. 

AHHH.  Summer concerts are upon us!  Here are the NYC shows I'm most looking forward to seeing:

FREE

6/10 Theophilus London @ Brooklyn Museum 7pm w/ rsvp audiophile@thelmagazine.com

6/10 Andrew Bird @ Prospect Park Bandshell 8:15PM

6/17 The Books @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7PM

6/23 We Are Scientists @ Red Hook Park 7pm

7/23 The Feelies @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7PM

8/5 Ra Ra Riot @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7PM

8/7 Friendly Fires @ Central Park SummerStage 3PM

8/11 Deer Tick @ Pier 54 6PM

8/25 Wavves @ East River Amphitheater

PAID

6/14 Decemberists and Best Coast @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7pm

6/17 Beirut @ McCarren Park Northside Festival 6PM

6/24 Florence and the Machine @ Central Park SummerStage 5:30PM

8/1 Lykke Li @ Central Park SummerStage 5:30PM

8/2 Sufjan Stevens @ Prospect Park Bandshell 6PM

8/10 Bon Iver @ Prospect Park Bandshell 6:30PM

8/11 Cut Copy @ Prospect Park Bandshell 5:30PM

Already got tickets for Sufjan and Decemberists but will probably just loiter outside the other paid concerts esp. the ones at SummerStage because it's so nice to sit there.  Almost nicer than actually being inside the venue because you have room to spread out.  Picnic in the park!

VvV Amanda

FLEAS

image/ NY Times

“Flea markets proliferate a volume of goods needing to be sold and people who are hungry — emotionally and aesthetically — to sort out the meaning of life,” said Michael Prokopow

An interesting article about flea marketing in NYC.  I've really been wanting to check out Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg.  It's on my summer to-do list which may or may not include:


+ outdoor summer concerts (list to come)
+ checking out the Maira Kalman show at the Jewish Museum
+ seeing the Alexander McQueen show, AGAIN (once is not enough)
+ making sun tea
+ making homemade ice creams
+ watch all of Parks and Recreation on netflix (2 down, 30+ eps to go)
+ maybe learning how to make French macarons, first attempt was a bust
+ gardening more and (hopefully) harvesting my veggies
+ being more productive art wise
+ getting ready to go back to school (packing, eek)


Whats on your list?
VvV Amanda