YEAH! It’s almost the weekend! For the first time in a few weeks I actually have no plans for the weekend. So I might be taking part in some beach party activities  Which made me want to post this photo. I love this photograph it is so sweet and I LOVE her swimsuit. I think I need one. 

Have a lovely weekend!

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The other night I made something a little different. Instead of my usual salmon dinner, I came across this interesting recipe in Self’s May issue; salmon, red quinoa and arugula salad. This recipe was created by celebrity chef Mark Murphy so I was even more intrigued to try it.

This dish has a great mix of spices and textures. There are a lot of ingredients in this dish, but don’t worry they are all worth it. This recipes also introduced me to poaching. I have never done it myself so it was a new cooking adventure. It is was so easy, the fish was super moist and flavorful. I will be adding this to my favorites list. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup white wine
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (3 oz each)
• 1 white onion, sliced
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 1/2 cup red quinoa
• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup golden raisins 
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 cups arugula
• juice of 2 lemons
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp harissa
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
• 2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds

In a large pot, boil wine and 4 cups of water.

Add salmon, onion and thyme. Reduce heat to simmer, poach salmon until cooked through, about 7 minutes.

Remove salmon, cool. In another large pot, boil 4 cups of water. Add quinoa and cook until tender, about 11 minutes, drain.

In a bowl, mix quinoa, chickpeas, raisins and spices, cool.

Toss quinoa-chickpea mixture with arugula. Dress salad with lemon juice and oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 

Divide salad and poached salmon among 4 plates. Top each salmon fillet with 1 tbsp harissa. Garnish with cilantro and almonds. 

{photos by me, recipe from Self May 2013}

Feeling like a retro kind of summer. 

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It is no surprise that I love ice cream. So when I came across this extremely cute identity for this company Eyescream I nearly fell out of my chair. Designed by M Barcelona, this entire identity has everything you need, cute little ice cream characters, super clean menu and who doesn’t love your ice cream staring back at you. I only wish this company was in the U.S. it is such a great concept. 

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Time for the weekend, yeah! I will be spending the weekend with my lovely mama. Looking forward to relaxing with a glass of wine. 

Have a lovely weekend, and happy mother’s day!

{graphic by me}

I had something completely different to blog about this morning but saw this awesome video this morning and had to write about it. Pastry chef’s at the SFMOMA create these beautiful treats based off of famous modern artists like Piet Mondrian, Cindy Sherman and John Zurier. They even have a great cookbook; Modern Art Desserts that I need to pick up immediately. 

My next trip to SF I need to stop by the museum and check out these beautiful desserts and some art too. 

{images pulled from video}

There has been a sudden rise in awesome restaurants popping up in the Arts District of Downtown L.A. and I am definitely not complaining. A new spot I tried twice last week was; Eat Drink Americano. 

This place has a great atmosphere, great sandwiches, salads and an AMAZING hand lettered chalkboard wall. Being a graphic designer I appreciate the little things like that. I feel hand lettering is making a comeback and this place definitely embraced it. I am sort of obsessed. 

I can see myself coming here for a beer or coffee if I just need to get out of the office. They also have a separate dinner menu, which I will need to try soon. Love this place!

Eat Drink Americano | 923 East Third Street LA, CA 90013

{photos by me}