Slow Food Cooking

My pumpkins.

I like to think of the kitchen as my second studio.  So much creativity takes place in there.  Like an art studio I have my tools, work surfaces, instruction books and storage. One of the things I love about cooking is the process of transforming and combining elements.  Alchemy if you wish.  You can usually find me working in one of the two rooms. 

Last night I made pumpkin puree.  My friend Suzanne had a fruitful yield of pumpkins this year and passed a few on to me.  How lucky I feel to have home grown pumpkins! Pumpkin puree keeps well frozen and is so much nicer than using the canned goop. 

Ready for roasting.

I started by cutting the pumpkins into chunks and scooping out the strings and seeds.  I roasted the chunks on an oiled pan in a 350-degree oven for about an hour.  When the pumpkin cooled, I scooped out the meat.  I took an extra step this time and squeezed out the extra moisture through cheesecloth.  Years ago I steamed my pumpkin (Fanny Farmer’s recommendation) and ended up with watery pumpkin pies.  It was such a disappointment after all that hard work.  The pumpkin went in the Vitamix (blender) and was stored one cup at a time in plastic Baggies.  I would prefer to store the pumpkin in glass, but our freezer is small and it would take up too much space.  

The roasted pumpkin.

Scooped out "meat".

  

The puree!

From the pumpkins pictured above I gleaned 5 1/2 cups of puree.  Not as much as I thought, but I did drain out a lot of pumpkin juice.

Ready for the freezer!

After cooking the pumpkin I worked on the seeds.  I rinsed them well and spread them evenly between two baking pans.  One pan I sprinkled with Himalayan Pink Salt, the other Himalayan Pink Salt, curry and lemon pepper.  I slightly over roasted the curry seeds; they still taste good but have lost most of their curry flavor.  All together I have about two cups.  Yummy!  I’ve been roasting pumpkin seeds since I was a kid.  I think I enjoyed the seeds just as much or more than actually carving the pumpkin.  A word of caution: eating large amounts of pumpkin seeds = eating large amounts of fiber, there are consequences, if you get my drift.

 

 

Rinsed and ready for roasting.

The roasted seeds.

What will I do with it?  I plan to make a vegan pumpkin cheesecake first.  Next, perhaps a regular pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, Thai pumpkin curry, and pumpkin fudge.  If I make all these things I’ll need another pumpkin!  I can also make a body scrub out of pumpkin and sugar. 

Pumpkin is super nutritious.  One cup of pumpkin has 49 calories.  It is full of fiber, vitamin E, Thiamin, Niacin, B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Vitamin A (246% RDA!), Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Potassium, Protein, Copper, Manganese, and antioxidants.  It boosts the immune system, is anti-inflammatory, prevents cataract and macular degeneration, protects against some cancers, helps with prostate health and depression, prevents osteoporosis and kidney stones and reduces LDL cholesterol!

100 grams of pumpkin seeds have 559 calories, 110% RDA iron, 71% RDA zinc, and 31% Niacin!  They also contain protein (30% RDA), manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin K, selenium, and the amino acid tryptophan.  

Seeds ready for eating!

Time in Nature

Saturday I went to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve with John to do a little tide pooling.  There were plenty of tide pool creatures but my attention was captured most by a creek emptying into the ocean.  The movement of the rocks and sand fascinated me as they glided past freely.  It reminded me of the sage old advice about swimming with the current, not against it.  The rocks were being pushed along, eventually ending up in the ocean, where perhaps a big wave will pick them up and put them back on the beach, only to repeat the process all over again. This is my first attempt at posting a video.  Let me know if you can view it!

Sketching

I’ve been sketching my jewelry designs to use on my Etsy site and as a reference for recreating the pieces.  It is not too exciting, but I love how they look on paper.  A good sign, right?  The rainy day has been perfect for staying inside and working (and napping).  This is my first most basic necklace, the basis for all my other designs. 

Inventory

New designs!

I’ve been working very hard this past week to create an inventory of jewelry for my future Etsy store.  I found that the more I worked, the more ideas I got for new pieces.  As I was designing what I thought was my last piece, an idea for something new would pop into my head.  I worked this way until I got close to running out of supplies again.  My stock of jewelry includes 11 necklaces, 12 pairs of earrings, 5 bracelets, and 3 rings.  My next task is to make complete detailed sketches to use as references in case I want to create the piece again, and to post in the shop for potential buyers.  I'm so happy that I'm moving forward and slowly accomplishing my goals!

"Tiny" Reception

Reception at Studio Gallery, two of my shell paintings are almost over my head.

 

I went to the reception for the “Tiny” show this afternoon.  Studio Gallery was packed with lots of folks who came out to look at and buy art.  The gallery had a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Two of my shell paintings and one candy painting are on display. 

I was excited to learn that one of my pieces sold right before the party.  A painting titled “Tree Mint”.  If my collectors are reading this, thank you!  You bought a great piece and I plan to check out the book you mentioned to Jennifer.  I am a bit of a candy freak, not so much the eating of it (with the exception of chocolate), but looking at it.  Candy = little bits of joy.

Please stop by the show if you get a chance.  There is a little something for everyone’s taste.  All the small pieces are under $400. 

The show runs through December 23, 2011.  There is another reception on Sunday December 4^th from 2-6pm. 

Address: 1815 Polk Street (between Washington & Jackson)

www.STUDIOGallerySF.com

Art admirers.

"Tiny" at Studio Gallery

"Golden Treasure", oil on canvas, 5 x 5", 2011

 

I had hoped to make it to Studio Gallery on Friday to take some preview shots of the “Tiny” show but my plans changed.  The image above is a painting I submitted for the show and may or may not be hanging when you arrive.

The “Tiny” show has been happening annually for many years now.  This year there are 170 artists!  All the pieces are 7 x 7” or smaller and priced under $400 (with a few exceptions).  I will have at least 1 piece on the wall. 

Tomorrow, November 6, 2011 is the opening reception from 2-6 pm.  Another reception will take place at the Gallery’s 8^th Anniversary Party on Sunday, December 4^th, from 2-6 pm.

Address: 1815 Polk Street (between Washington & Jackson), in San Francisco.

I hope you can stop by and say “hi”!  I’ll be at the reception on the early end, around 2 tomorrow.  

Studio Gallery website: http://www.studiogallerysf.com/ 

Work in Progress

I’m a busy woman these days but I haven’t given up painting.  This piece has been in progress for a couple months now; it will get there slowly but surely.  The main shell and background need a lot of work.  The sea glass, pottery shard, and false pacific jingle shell are mostly done.  I hope that posting this helps energize me to finish!