lentil cakes with raita

 images megan.christine

caught up in the holiday chaos, i completely procrastinated on coming up with a few dishes to bring to a new years eve dinner party at a friend's house in north park.  with the day being so gorgeous outside, i couldn't seem to pin myself to the stove, so i wanted to make sure i could whip up something easy, but also a little different (our host did request that we cook to impress).  with a variety of dietary restrictions in the group, i decided to make lentil cakes with raita (featured in bon appetit from philly based bindi restaurant), something i had not made before (note: do not do this before a party if you have no idea how they will turn out).  my food processor definitely helped to speed up the chopping, and all the fresh ingredients were very aromatic.  i pan fried the cakes and my initial taste test proved what i had feared, there were so many flavors in this dish that it was slightly overwhelming.  but, some people like that, so i wouldn't toss this recipe until trying it.

south indian lentil cakes with raita

Raita:
1 head of garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled seeded cucumber
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeño
1/2 teaspoon (or more) fresh lemon juice

Lentil cakes:
1/2 cup mixed dried legumes (such as lentils and whole mung beans) --- I used Trader Joes cooked lentils
1/4 cup basmati rice --- I used brown rice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/2 jalapeño, seeded, minced
1 cup leaves from pea tendrils, arugula, or spinach, chopped
1/2 cup peas (from about 8 ounces peas in pods), chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped scallions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

For raita:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut top 1/2" off head of garlic; discard. Place garlic on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze cloves from skins, keeping cloves intact.

Stir cumin in a small dry skillet over medium heat until deep brown, 2-3 minutes. Let cool. Finely grind in a spice mill.

Mix yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, mint, jalapeño, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice in a medium bowl. Stir in cumin. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

For lentil cakes:

Rinse legumes; place in a medium bowl with rice. Add water to cover by 3". Let legumes and rice soak at room temperature for 3-5 hours.

Drain legumes and rice; transfer to a food processor. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeño. Process until grainy paste forms (add 1-2 tablespoons water if necessary). Transfer to a large bowl; mix in tendrils and next 6 ingredients.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon 4 scant 1/4-cupfuls of batter into skillet, flattening with the back of a measuring cup into 1/4"-thick cakes. Reduce heat to medium; sauté until golden brown and cooked through, adding 1 more tablespoon oil when cakes are flipped, about 4-5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining oil and batter. Divide raita among plates; top with a roasted garlic clove. Place 2 cakes on each plate.

temporary wallpaper

my friend's condo in downtown san diego, designed by kristi steffen, has some amazing and bold wallpaper.  while i would love to do something similar with my house, i already have visions of the laborious process of peeling, sanding, etc.  i think for the most part, traditional wallpaper is worth it, but for small spaces that may change more frequently (like a bathroom or kids room), as well as a great option for renters. NYC based tempaper designs makes a creative alternative, with a decent selection of patterns and colors.  as a self-adhesive wall decal, one can easily reposition, remove or replace the wallpaper.  they also carry blank white rolls that allow you (or your kids) to paint or draw without destroying the wall underneath -- wish i had that when i was growing up!

images tempaper

waste free snacking

i was in babies by the sea, an adorable boutique in cardiff, looking for a second birthday present for my amazing little niece, avery grace.  she has recently started attending a daytime children's group at the JCC in denver (helps give her a chance to socialize and her mom to get in a good workout and release).  while i was visiting earlier this month i noticed that she likes to bring her 'AG bag' (equivalent to a purse/lunch bag) with her.  i know her bag is always packed full of snacks, whatever the flavor of the day may be.  so when i saw semilla snack bags at babies by the sea, i thought my sister would love the idea.  an alternate to disposable plastic bags, these lined cloth bags are made with non-toxic materials and can be washed for increase functionality and convenience.... not to mention they have cute patterns. i can't wait to see what name avery grace starts calling them!

images from google

life is too short....

images britt jennings

"life is too short not to wear beautiful clothes".... as captured in an italian PINKO storefront by the talented britt jennings (of miele) on one of her many fabulous international adventures.  PINKO is an italian clothing company created by pietro negra and cristina rubini that has an edgy runway look.  with an international presence, and some high end talent marketing their pieces (naomi campbell, erin wasson, etc), PINKO has created a great business model off brand awareness and value.  although, i did find it interesting that pinko is also a term for a person regarded as being sympathetic to communism.  i'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't make that connection before creating their brand.  

images PINKO

waste to waves

i was in patagonia the other day in cardiff-by-the-sea and saw a flier at the counter for a program by sustainable surf, waste to waves.  the idea is to recycle materials (packaging foam) into an eco-friendly surfboard blank.  up until 31 january you can drop off your waste to participating locations in CA and help reduce negative impacts to nature.  sponsored by reef & spy, this is a great idea - i'm always a fan of finding useful by-products from our waste.

images from waste to waves  

merry, merry

leave it to lululemon, the yoga-inspired athletic apparel company, to post this image for christmas.  i guess there are plenty of people that need to remember to "breathe deeply and appreciate the moment!"

merry, merry!

in plane view

I was on a two week string of travel when I found myself once again walking the ramp into the C terminal at Washington's Dulles Airport.  I assume in the past I was either too busy, too late or too occupied to really take in the art in the Gateway Gallery.  Exhibited by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, works of art are rotated to provide passengers visual enjoyment while they commute.  The current exhibit, In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight, is a series of large format photographs by Carolyn Russo.  The images showcase iconic aircraft, focusing on the details and close-up facets of technology, that which otherwise would often be overlooked.  The bold colors, texture, shapes, lines and light grabbed my attention quickly.  I later learned that Russo divided her work into five categories: speed, bursts, and movement; flora, fauna and anthropomorphism; graphics; textures and skin; and propellers. If you don't get a chance to see the exhibit first hand at Dulles, her work is also published in a companion book by powerHouse Books.  As said by Patty Wagstaff (who wrote the book's forward), "it's an abstract approach that gives new life even to the most familiar icon."

images Carolyn Russo

movember

it had finally come, 30 november, the day the stache disappears.  each year in the month of november, the moustache growing charity, movember, encourages men all over the world to grow out their facial hair to increase awareness for men's health, particularly cancer.  it's an excellent excuse for men to take the classic moustache to the extreme, but some unfortunately just look plain creepy.  many of my girlfriends were relieved that this month had finally come to end, and in the words of one, "all the crumb catchers, flavor savors, mouth brows, fanny ticklers, face fros, fu manchus, handlebars, horseshoes, and chevrons that are about to be razored tonight.... guys, although we ladies do wish the best for your health.... we most certainly welcome the return of your smooth upper lip!"

stillness

don't cry because it's over. smile because it happened. ~ dr. suess

i went to the san eligo lagoon tonight and sat on "my bench", just as i have done so many times before.  perhaps the chilly air, the dusky sky and the desolate trail played into my mood - but it's just not the same.  it's a beautiful place, no doubt.  but tonight has only continued to prove, that it's not the place that i love, but rather it was the company that i kept sitting on that bench.  

image megan.christine

izze me

the other day after a delightful bike ride, my girlfriend and i stopped by seaside market  in cardiff-by-the-sea and decided to grab a snack to take down to the beach.  standing in front of the beverage coolers, i was definitely tempted to grab one of their many delicious bottled beers - but instead we opted for an izze.  i must say i was slightly skeptical at first, but i was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was.  based in boulder, colorado, izze is company that produces a carbonated juice, which is light and refreshing.  it doesn't have any caffeine, refined sugars, or anything artificial for that matter.  plus it comes in some great flavors- pomegranate, lime, grapefruit, blueberry, clemantine, peach, blackberry and apple.  as much as i enjoyed the drink, the classic glass bottle and the adorable logo --- we got to talking about how if we wanted to, we could easily recreate something quite similar at home.  i think i might have to make my own sparkling juice creation... maybe even from my juicer.....

images izze from google

tis the season

as soon as the last of the turkey leftovers are gone, out comes the christmas decor.  it was always a tradition growing up that the weekend after thanksgiving we would all gather and assemble the house into a winter wonderland.  my family was by no means unique in our timing, so it is not surprising that each day this week i find another tree twinkling in a neighbors window.  i have yet to break out my decorations, as the 75+ degree weather kept me outdoors and busy.  but, today i did purchase a thymes frasier fir candle (amazing) which has happily made my entire downstairs smell of fresh christmas tree.  in the spirit, i started poking around online for some ideas of wreaths and came across these creative and nontraditional variations.  tis the season!

tend, a san diego based botanical design company, is hosting a pop up shop this saturday (at 2944 30th street).  designer, britton neubacher, creates awesome living sculptures - her orbs are particularly rad.  if you have some free time, it's worth checking out!

modfire

one of the great things one can appreciate in san diego is the desirable climate.  but with warm sunny days come cool crisp nights.  in order to fully enjoy all the amazing outdoor spaces at home, restaurants, etc - it's imperative to have a heat source.  there are so many varieties out there, in a shape, size, style for everyone.  i like this arizona based company, modfire.  designed and manufactured by hand, these steel designs are coated in hi-temp paint (in a variety of colors).  a take on the traditional fireplace (they have multiple fuel burning options), these pieces would look awesome on just about any patio.  

modfire image

coconut-cardamom macaroons

image megan.christine 

i am a horrible baker, i embraced this many years ago.  after my sugar cookies turned into sweet rolls and friends urged me to not even give them to the homeless outside my downtown condo, i knew i should probably just give up.  but, i am a stubborn and a rather determined person.... so i have decided i will learn how to bake, and do it well.
with the arrival of the holiday season, i figure why not start now.  i found a recipe in cooking light (december 2011) for coconut-cardamom macaroons (not to be confused with the french macaron).  these delicious coconut cookies were quick and simple to make.... and since there weren't any left after thanksgiving dinner, i'll assume they were tasty too!

Ingredients

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 cups flaked sweetened coconut

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
• 2. Place egg whites in a medium bowl; lightly beat with a whisk. Add sugar, vanilla, salt, and cardamom; stir well with a whisk until foamy. Add coconut; toss well to combine. Loosely pack coconut mixture into a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon. Turn out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon remaining coconut mixture by tablespoonfuls onto prepared pan to form 20 mounds. Bake at 325° for 23 minutes or until golden all over. Cool on pan 3 minutes; cool completely on a wire rack.

รายละเอียด . the details

images clayton winters

i was browsing through my friend's photographs from his recent trip to india & thailand with his wife.  they both managed to escape washington, dc for a month to travel together, and it looked like it was amazing!  clayton has a good eye, which doesn't surprise me at all.  i recall the walls of his childhood house were decorated with beautiful images his father had captured, so he has been exposed to composition, angles, etc for some time now.  my eye will always draw to the details, which is why i picked a few of his images that I thought were original and interesting.

crap.

image from superficiaaal

sunglasses have a short life span amongst my friends.  it has little to do with appreciating a good piece of eyewear and more with how well (or not well) we care for them.  scratched from being tossed into handbags, stretched out from being used as headbands, or misplaced from setting them down in random places --- it's not uncommon to see us in a fresh pair.  the other day my girlfriend was wearing a pair of CRAP glasses that she was given as a sample.  the name caught my attention - how could you miss that logo on the frame, but so did the design.  created in southern california, this small local brand has a bright future.

cilantro pistachio pesto

images megan.christine

given the slice out of my left thumb, perhaps i could use a little attention to my chopping.  but i must say, the process of preparation continues to be a means of stress relief for me.  tonight i had aimlessly walked around seaside market and left with a bag of mismatched items.  i had hoped to make a salmon recipe i had dog-eared in an old bon appetit magazine, but unfortunately i was short some of the key ingredients.  instead, i decided to pull together something with the what i had on hand, and created my own version of pesto to top the salmon.  i kind of surprised myself, the flavors were a great compliment to the fish.  i would definitely replicate on purpose another day!

pesto
in a food processor mix:
- one small bunch of cilantro
- half cup of toasted pistachio nuts
- two garlic cloves
- two tablespoons of fresh squeezed lime juice
- teaspoon of coriander
- teaspoon of ground black pepper
- salt to taste

worth it

the internet is scattered with quotes and inspirational sayings.  just take a peak on pinterest and you'll find an endless array.  but i randomly came across this image today and the timing was impeccable.  i dug deeper to find the root of the graphic, and discovered this post by entrepreneur and author, seth godin, "was it worth it?  was the effort worth the reward? the thing about effort is that effort is its own reward if you allow it to be." although my efforts may have yet to bring me to a destination, i'll still let the answer be yes......

m+m: solace & moonlight lounge

images megan*christine

i have long been a fan of matt gordan's urban solace in north park, so i patiently awaited for his north county expansion to open in encinitas' pacific station. solace & moonlight lounge has the same fantastic quality of food and presentation.  we recently went there for sunday brunch- while not an extensive menu, everything i tried was delicious and did not displease.  they had a selection of benedicts, but i opted for the scramble, as i was drawn to the creamy grits, which were tasty!  i also had a spicy bloody mary, and snaked a sip of my friend's bellini.  but beyond the food, the space that moonlight lounge occupies is awesome.  with an earthly and beachy vibe, the sun drenched LEED certified interior allowed the breeze to freely flow.  retractable walls opened up, rolling back overhead, to allow for a seamless indoor outdoor space with the upstairs balcony.  the fixtures were creative and crafty, using recycled bottles and wine barrels.  and, the art that adorned the wall and hung from the ceiling resonated with the natural theme within.  i look forward to heading back and trying out dinner!