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Creative Wanderlust Adventure: Finding Inspiration in a Recent Read – Crying in H Mart
I just finished Michelle Zauner’s book Crying in H Mart for my bookclub and although the book had a lot of sadness, as the main character processed the grief of losing her mother, I couldn’t help but be highly intrigued by the constant Korean food references that threaded throughout the book. Since H Mart grocery story is prominently featured in the title, I was also inspired to experience it for myself! Although I have tried a few Korean dishes (I do love bibimbap) I must admit, I’m pretty naive to all the dishes and foods I would find. Near me there are actually 3 H Marts relatively close by, so…
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At Home Creative Adventures: Take Out Sushi Collage
Celebrate your favorite take out food with this creative collage exercise! This may look a lot more complicated than it actually is, but don’t panic, it’s actually quite simple! First find a take out menu (or print one out from online if you don’t have any) and lay it out on a table. Use a variety of watercolors and place color blocks around the menu. Once dry begin to cut the shapes. For instance, for the nigiri, I first cut a “white” oblong shape, then cut a colored shape (salmon, or tuna perhaps?) Lastly I placed a green “seaweed” wrapper on top. Glue the shapes down on a piece of…
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Art School: How to Draw a Taco
Who doesn’t love a good taco? I make them every week on Tuesday (yes, my weekly meal plan is pretty repetitive) and still never tire of them! There are just so many taco options- beef, chicken, pork, fish, vegetarian– they are all so good. In celebration of this tasty food, I’ve created a simple taco tutorial! Enjoy.
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Culture: Food – Gulliver’s Corn Illustrated Recipe
One of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes is Gulliver’s Corn. It’s a creamy, cheesy corn dish that is always scraped clean by the end of the meal. I first learned about the recipe from a Thanksgiving cooking class I took with my sisters and mom. I had no idea the origin of the recipe, but that Thanksgiving, we cooked the dish and it hasn’t left the menu since! It turns out the recipe originated from a restaurant in Southern California called Gulliver’s. It’s an old fashioned prime rib house, modeled after an old English roadside inn, one that would have been the perfect spot for someone like Lemuel Gulliver (from…
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Culture: Food – Ethiopian Injera
If you haven’t had Ethiopian food, you are in for an incredible treat. Not only is it rich with flavors and spices and but often it is served with (or on top of) a spongy bread called injera. This slightly sour bread is filled with holes, so the sauces and flavors from the stews and dishes soak into it for added deliciousness. And the best part, injera is also your utensil for eating your meal! You just rip a piece off from the large platter and scoop up the various dishes served on top. Injera is made from a grain called teff. This small, round grain is found throughout Ethiopia and…
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Culture: Food – Foodie Map of the World
As you can tell with my many Eat Drink Travel illustrations, I love to illustrated different foods of the world. Of course, I first want to be in the country trying the dish first hand, but if I have yet to visit, I still enjoy researching different recipes from around the world and exploring new flavors and cultures. To celebrate my love for international food, I created a Foodie’s Map of the World. What’s your favorite cuisine? If you are interested in commissioning or licensing an illustration, please contact me for details.
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Culture – Food: Chakalaka from South Africa
Chakalaka is a staple vegetable and bean dish from the townships of South Africa. I read that this dish was developed by men working in goldmines. It is now practically a required dish to serve at a South African barbecues called a braais. Chakalaka Recipe Below are a few links to different Chakalaka recipes. Each of them vary just slightly, but in general remain consistent with the main ingredients of tomatoes, carrots, peppers, beans, chilies, onions and curry powder. Chakalaka Recipe on Immaculate Bites Chakalaka Recipe on South African Promo Magazine Chakalaka on Whats4Eats (International Recipes and Cooking Around the World) Chakalaka on Cooking Channel/Siba’s Table
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Culture: Food – Fresh Farmers Markets in the South and East
When exploring any city, I love to head over to the local farmers market. It’s always a great way to a flavor of the local scene as well as pick up some delicious bites to eat. Here are some must-see farmers markets along the eastern seaboard! Charleston Farmers Market – Charleston, South Carolina Located in the heart of the historic district in Marion Square, the Charleston Farmers Market supports Lowcountry farmers and growers, artisans and crafters, live performers and community groups. From locally grown produce to Southern specialties, residents from the entire Lowcountry region and tourists alike enjoy this farmers market tradition. The Market at Pepper Place – Birmingham, Alabama Serving…
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Culture: A World of Flavors – Ethiopian Berbere Spice Mix
The Ethiopian spice mix called Berbere (pronounced ber-beray) is a fiery spice blend that is a key ingredient in much of Ethiopian cuisine. It is a combination of 14 different flavorful and earthy spices. Rub this spice mix on meats, liberally season stews and add a dash to grains and lentils. Serve with the spongy flatbread, injera, for a delicious, memorable Ethiopian meal. Ethiopian Berbere Spice Mix Recipe 3/4t ground cardamom 1t ground cumin 1/4t ground cinnamon 1t ground tumeric 1/2t ground fenugreek 1/4t ground nutmeg 1/4t ground all spice 1 1/2t ground coriander 1/2t ground ginger 1/2t ground cloves 1t black pepper 1t salt 2T cayenne pepper 3T paprika…
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Culture: Food – Hot Sauces from Around the World
I will always remember the time my brother bet my cousin that he wouldn’t be able to eat a slice of pizza covered in a spicy hot sauce. Of course, this cousin couldn’t refuse the challenge. He gobbled up the slice and within minutes was out the door running around the block trying to cool down his mouth! I’m pretty sure this is not the way hot sauce is intended to be used. A month ago, I had my own hot sauce challenge. In response to a call for spicy recipes from the illustrated recipe website, They Draw and Cook, I decided to illustrate a series of hot sauces from around the…