Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Movie Menu Theme Night: Bella Martha

Bella Martha Movie Night
Before there was No Reservations (not the Anthony Bourdain series, but the CZJ/Aaron Eckhart movie), there was Bella Martha, a beautiful German film featuring the passionate and beautiful Martina Gedeck and Sergio Castellitto. One of the most intelligent and inspiring cooking movies I've seen, Bella Martha tells the story of chef Martha, who is so focused on her cooking and her restaurant that she has totally lost herself in food. The relationships that she develops with her niece and with a new Italian colleague, Mario (played by Sergio Castellitto), restore her passion for life and love beyond the kitchen.

In one romantic and sensuous scene Mario blindfolds Martha and feeds her unexpected and amazing gourmet treats. Queue my idea for how to convert this movie into a romantic dinner for a couple:

Ingredients:
A soft bandana or scarf large enough to be used as a blindfold
Romantic music (you could even go so far as to play the soundtrack from the movie)
And finally, you should each shop secretly for some gourmet surprises to share with your loved one

Directions:
Pick some extravagant delights to feed to your significant other, like dark chocolate, cheese, strawberries, slices of mango and other sensuous fruits, and perhaps some pate if he or she isn't generally opposed to that kind of treat. Be creative, but remember that your loved one won't appreciate your efforts as much if you use the blindfolding as an opportunity to force feed him or her things that they've never tried before and probably won't like (I know my fiancee would gag if I fed him pate).

Take turns blindfolding and feeding each other. The flavors and fragrances of the foods that you share will be even more intense when you don't have your other senses to rely on.

Style footnote: I love the way Martha pairs red and purple in one of her outfits toward the end of the movie. I can't remember if it's an eggplant top and a red skirt or a red top and an eggplant skirt, but either way, the colors are brilliant together and perfect for celebrating this fall's jewel-tone trend.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Tina Nordström's Culinary Tour of Sweden

Tina NordstromI first fell in love with Tina Nordström's cooking 2 years ago when I found her show, New Scandinavian Cooking, on public television. In this series Tina travels all over Sweden, preparing regional foods while she travels, and often cooking outdoors against the stunning backdrop of the Swedish countryside.

Tina's recipes are simple and elegant, and feature ingredients that we don't often use in the US (but should!), like cloudberries, elderflower, herring, fennel and vodka.

New Scandinavian CookingAlthough the show no longer airs in my area, you can purchase the DVD of all of Tina's episodes on the show's website, as well as her cookbook, A Culinary Tour of Sweden. Most of the recipes from her shows are also listed on the website, including her recipes for Dill Schnapps, Cloudberry Zabaglione and Royal Swedish Meatballs.

If you ever happen to see New Scandinavian Cooking pop up while you're channel surfing, check it out... Tina will win you over with her amazing smile in mere moments!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Amazing Modern Kitchen Designs

Minimalist Kitchen Design
A few weeks ago I saw an HGTV special on the 10 Most Amazing Kitchens, and I have been thinking about one of them ever since. While all of the kitchens were stunning and I would die to cook in any of them, the one that really won me over was the minimalist kitchen. Its simple design is so chic; it is totally modern without being unfriendly and unwelcoming.

LED Lit CountertopComplete with custom La Cornue appliances, elegantly arched fixtures, limestone floors that are warmed with radiant heat, and gently illuminated white onyx counters (1,600 led lights make these glow with minimal energy expense), and a custom made ceiling centerpiece, this kitchen is designed to dazzle.

Designed by Amy Finley for her own home, this San Diego kitchen is truly an inspiration.