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stemsandforks

STEMS AND FORKS
Beautiful musings of flora and fare.
Photography/video, botanical sculptor, recipe developer. Toronto, Canada

One of the perks of working on set is being able t

One of the perks of working on set is being able to take home the edible props. Bougatsa, a traditional Greek dessert made by the brilliant and beautiful @irene_matys . Traditionally filled with vanilla custard, Irene added apples and dusted with a cinnamon sugar. It was and still is incredibly delicious. Filakia Irene. 😗
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This is also my contribution for the brown, beige and texture challenge hosted by @silvia_salvialimone and @twiggstudios Possibly my three fave things to photograph. #brownfoodchallenge

Red wine and chocolate. The perfect denouement to

Red wine and chocolate. The perfect denouement to any lovely meal - and a wonderful way to pair together some local crafters. That's what #PairItForward from @LCBO is all about - pairing your local favourites to help support Ontario's small businesses and makers.
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Today I'm featuring a decadent local favourite - Toronto’s @MarysBrigadeiro delicious Brazilian confections paired up with @HenryOfPelham Baco Noir 2018 Speck Family Reserve from St. Catharines. Creamy hand-rolled chocolates enrobed with textured sprinkles plus a full bodied red with berry and hints of spice… the union is heavenly!
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I’d love to hear about your favourite local pairing - share it using the hashtag #ad #PairItForward
#Partner #PleaseEnjoyResponsibly #SupportLocal

So many beautiful and thoughtful entries for the c

So many beautiful and thoughtful entries for the complementary colour challenge in autumn or spring tones hosted by @silvia_salvialimone
Today is the last day to submit.
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Above I used a split complementary colour scheme. Reds-oranges and hunter greens.
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Complementary colours help create striking images while monochromatic colour schemes are usually calmer.
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Using colour theory for some is intuitive. And for others, a struggle. When in doubt look at the colour theory guide and colour wheel. There are many online As well please see @silvia_salvialimone last few posts for more tips. Don’t forget to tag us and #colourchallenges

Pictured above are beautiful heirlooms from @delfrescopure 🍅

So many beautiful entries already for the compleme

So many beautiful entries already for the complementary colour challenge with @silvia_salvialimone
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Another approach to creating an image with complementary colours is using the split complementary colour scheme. 2 similar (analog) colours such as blush and red with 1 opposite (complementary) colour such as green.
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We naturally use split complementary colours as some hues are not common in nature such as blue.
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Challenge is autumnal tones however
For those down under spring tones are totally acceptable.
Be sure to tag @silvia_salvialimone and I and use the hashtag #colourchallenges 💓

Hosting a Colour Challenge with @silvia_salvialimo

Hosting a Colour Challenge with @silvia_salvialimone starting today until the weekend.
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Complementary colours are essentially opposite colours on the colour wheel. Red and green. Orange and blue. Yellow and purple. The challenge is to create a harmonious picture using complementary/opposite colours by using food, flowers, props etc.
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Be sure to tag @silvia_salvialimone and @stemsandforks with hashtag #colourchallenges Challenge ends this weekend. Winner gets a complimentary consultation with @silvia_salvialimone 💕Good luck!

My heart was melting snapping these for Grandparen

My heart was melting snapping these for Grandparents Day... Little Georgy and his grandad making the easiest Plum & Blueberry Puff Pastry using @MetroOntario Selections Puff Pastry Sheets. The recipe is incredibly simple; less than 5 ingredients, prepped and baked in under 20 minutes using local Ontario blue plums.
There are two versions. One with the full Selections Puff Pastry sheet my dad put together and the other mini squares that Georgy made. Both have the same amount of ingredients which can all be found @MetroOntario. Happy Grandparents Day. Find recipe in stories.
#MyMetro #MetroLovesLocal

Just me, my little prince bust and 12 pieces of Ch

Just me, my little prince bust and 12 pieces of Champagne Bronze Non-Stick Pans from @padernokitchenware hanging out. Been cooking non stop on these PFOA-Free friends. There’s even a steaming basket included for veggies or dumplings. Check out stories for a wee bit of cooking ASMR. #ItsACookingThing

It’s been over 6 months since covid gripped the

It’s been over 6 months since covid gripped the world and cocooned some of us in our homes with sourdoughs, wine and Netflix. For myself, it’s been 6 months of epiphanies and merciless reflections. One being, I’ll never have balance and I’m okay with that.
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Was utterly delighted to be interviewed by the lovely Nat and Angela for their podcast @TheSocial.focus about photography and how I got here. I’ve put a link in stories. #lovemyjob
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Love that burns plus some other candle friends … from a series I took for @tatineofficial

I wasn’t happy with this image at the time I sho

I wasn’t happy with this image at the time I shot this so I set it aside. I have hundreds of (sets) images that never made my “cut”. Above a vegetarian feast I cooked earlier this year.
Clockwise from top.
-swiss chard pan fried lightly with salt and pepper.
-bok choy w/ gochugaru, garlic, rice vinaigrette
-lentil salad w/sundried tomatoes, mint, walnuts, tofu, paprika, salt and pepper.
-garlic ramps with gochugaru vinaigrette
-center - quinoa, tomatoes, olives, dill, capers with a lime and sweet mustard dressing

Had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed by

Had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed by the one and only Joanie Simon, talented photographer and teacher of @TheBiteShot We dig deep into the meaning behind this pic I posted a few months back about my “...herculean side project to convince you that #BaroqueMusicIsCool” and discuss how I visualize music. I’ve put a link in my stories to the Youtube interview. As well I’ve added a link to a Spotify playlist I’ve finally put together of about 20 easy to listen to baroque songs.
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Note to self. Lubricate eyes. #blinkblink
#thebiteshot #joaniesimon #thewelltemperedclavier #jsbach

I think you’ve all noticed that my fave olive oi

I think you’ve all noticed that my fave olive oil is @CarapelliUSA
Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Love using it on salads, dipping breads or grilling veggies like these green tomatoes. Made from early harvests from century old olive trees, Il Centenario is fresh, elegant with a subtle spicy finish. The dark bottle is sleek and makes for a lovely addition to complete any tablescape. And the anti-drip spout is just brilliant.Visit my stories to see how to make these grilled green tomatoes and a link to purchase Il Centenario. #125YearsOfMastery #ad #MyCarapelliCraft #CarapelliFirenze #extraViginOliveOil
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See stories for last slide #glitch

Colac Braided Bread from @irina.r.georgescu Carpat

Colac Braided Bread from @irina.r.georgescu Carpathia: Food From the Heart of Romania. Simple ingredients: flour, salt, Evoo...baked warm with a slab of butter- heaven.
A beautiful book featuring edgy Romanian dishes. And stunning photos. Congrats @irina.r.georgescu
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Special thanks to @foodfluffer x
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#irinageorgescu #carpathia #baking #bread #foodfluffer #foodphotography

Considered the “royalty” of apples, @PinkLadyA

Considered the “royalty” of apples, @PinkLadyAppleUK is sweet, crisp with a subtle juicy fizz. #ad
A delightful apple to munch on but equally beguiling as a decorative statement. Pink Lady Apples are sun ripened longer to meet optimal sweetness, firmness, colour and flavour before being harvested. Look for the pink Pink Lady® pink heart shaped sticker. #PinkLadyApples
💗

Birthday cheesecake. Not my bday but baked this fr

Birthday cheesecake. Not my bday but baked this from @dialaskitchen cookbook Diala’s Kitchen. Full of plant forward and pescatarian recipes, beautiful pics and stories. I’ll put a link in stories for more info. Congratulations Diala xo
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#dialaskitchen #cookbook #cheesecake #the6ix #smokebush #thiskoreanbakes #foodstyling #foodphotography #darkandcranky #lightandshadow

Lace Cookie with Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches: No c

Lace Cookie with Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches:
No churn coffee ice cream, no chill time lace cookies. If you’re ever going to make anything from my blog, this is the recipe. Thin layers of home made coffee ice cream enveloped in paper thin caramel cookies…and so easy to make. Made with @PadernoKitchenWare Balanced Brew Coffee Maker. A sleek black stainless steel appliance that’s been certified by the SCA for producing optimal water temperature, brew time and volume for rich consistently flavoured coffee. Recipe link in stories. Plus a trick on how to get the ice cream inside the sandwiches to be perfect pucks. #ItsACookingThing #Paderno
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#foodphotography #foodstylist #cookies #icecream #coffee #summervibes

Huevos Rancheros from @joannagaines Magnolia Table

Huevos Rancheros from @joannagaines Magnolia Table Vol 2. Made this at least a dozen times in the past couple months and finally had some time to snap some pics before the family devoured it. Accessible, creative, nourishing but ultimately scrumptious recipes, love both volume 1 and 2 equally!
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#joannagaines #magnoliatable #huevosrancheros #cookbook

I’ve probably made thousands of bridal bouquets

I’ve probably made thousands of bridal bouquets but this one was special. Congratulations to two incredible humans @michellearbus and @instagranton wishing you happiness and health always. 🥂
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#botanicalart #bridalbouquet #anemones #smokebush #scabiosa #sprayroses #lisianthus #union #joy #botanicalpickmeup #dsfloral

One of my first memories from the kitchen with my

One of my first memories from the kitchen with my grandmother is probably folding dumplings with my sisters. At the time it felt like we folded hundreds but in retrospect it was probably close to thousands! The dumplings above are a simplified vegetarian version. Three Mushroom & Spinach Potstickers made all with one pan. @PadernoKitchenWare Non-Stick Cast Iron Wok. Perfect for sautéing the mountain of veggie filling but divine for browning the potstickers…this wok comes with a lid! Find the recipe in my stories…. yields 48 dumplings;) #ItsACookingThing #Paderno

Deep fried smashed potatoes with Appenzeller, blac

Deep fried smashed potatoes with Appenzeller, black truffles and chives.
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Late but certainly not forgotten, my contribution to @foodisourpower challenge a couples weeks back hosted by @bonjourtasty @sweetroamchicago The challenge was to create a dish inspired by Netflix’s episode of Chef’s Table featuring @mashamabailey I took Chef Bailey’s concept of pairing a humble ingredient (grits) with something decadent (foie gras).
Some new exciting challenges coming up soon with @evakosmasflores and @silvia_salvialimone follow @foodisourpower for updates.

For the recipe please DM me.
#foodisourpower #smashedpotatoes #mashamabailey #foodblogger #foodstyling #foodphotography #Solanumtuberosum #nostalgia

Made a 2 tiered version of Kimberly’s @thelittl

Made a 2 tiered version of Kimberly’s @thelittleplantation vegan chocolate orange cake a few weeks back. It was DELICIOUS. I’ll put a link in stories.
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This is also my contribution to @twiggstudios and @boxofspice #chiaroscuroinspired challenge.
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#vegan #chocolatecake #thelittleplantation

Mushrooms & Matches. Bringing intangibles to light

Mushrooms & Matches. Bringing intangibles to light.
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I’m so impressed by all the thoughtful works put forth for the Music in Pictures: A Visualization of Florence Price’s Three Roses where the challenge was to take something intangible as music and to put it in visible form.
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And our challenge @foodisourpower was to narrow it down to 5 so we selected 6.
Congratulations to:
@stellamarpereira
@alettertomyfood
@twiggstudios
@stellaand
@theedgewoodbaker
@_myfoodaffair_
Your visual renderings of Price’s work was incredible.
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A massive thank you to all those that participated and shared Florence Price’s music.
And to the children that created as well organized by @mixmixmama @happy_gut_co
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Please follow @foodisourpower for more upcoming challenges, celebrations and fundraisers to help amplify melanated voices.
#florenceprice #musicandmeaning #foodisourpower

Georgy cutting Kalkooksu. Aka knife noodles. (He’s using a butter knife ;)
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Today marks the last day to submit to the Music in Pictures Challenge: A visualization of Florence Prices Three Roses. The entries have been incredible so far. Beautiful and thoughtful. Thrilled everyone is listening and sharing Florence Price, one of the first African American women to be acknowledged as a symphonic composer. Thankfully her music was re-discovered in 2009. So moved that Price’s music continues to be celebrated by a whole new generation.
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Check @foodisourpower or my highlights for musical challenge for details. There’s still time. @mixmixmama @happy_gut_co is hosting a children’s version of the challenge #foodisourpower #florenceprice

In between shadows. . Chocolate cake I made for a

In between shadows.
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Chocolate cake I made for a workshop back in late February, crowned with tempered chocolate spears made by the talented chef @davidlumto
#shadows #silhouette #abyss #chocolatecake

Music in Pictures: a Visualization of Florence Pri

Music in Pictures: a Visualization of Florence Price’s Three Roses, Challenge.

Thrilled to be part of a group of international creatives @FoodIsOurPower A group united in celebrating, educating and amplifying melanated voices through art and food. Honoured to start the campaign with a creative challenge open to all. The challenge is to create a visual rendering of music/sound based on Florence Price’s Three Roses for Piano. (See below to find where.)

Born in 1887 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Florence Price was one of the first African American women to be acknowledged as a symphonic composer and to have one of her compositions played by a major orchestra. An incredible feat in the 1930s considering in her words “...I have two handicaps - those of sex and race.” For decades her music was overshadowed by a musical genre predominantly overpowered by white men. Her music lived in the shadows until 2009 when a treasure trove of her compositions was discovered in an abandoned house in St. Anne, Illinois.

It’s with great pleasure to share Florence Price’s music. A vernacular composer whose music incorporated elements of blues, jazz, European romantic with elements of spiritual African-American music. Despite the racism and misogyny, her beautiful music survived to tell a story - her story.
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The Challenge:
1) Listen to Florence Price’s Three Roses. Please see my stories for a swipe up link.
2) Create a visual interpretation of her music.
3) Your visual rendering could be food, flowers, portrait…anything goes.
4) Be sure to use the hashtag #foodisourpower and tag @foodisourpower
5) Post anytime between now and Thursday July 16th. I’ll be sharing my top 5 entries on Sunday July 18th.
Tips:
-Music is an expression of emotions through harmony, sound and rhythm. What emotion did the 3 roses evoke for you?
-Describe the music? Romantic? Jazzy? Melancholy? Chaotic?
-Do you think Price was conveying a symbolic meaning by using three rose colours?
-Consider the time she wrote this piece (1949) what might she have been going through?
-See @foodisourpower for some tips to involve your children from @mixmixmama @happy_gut_co
Most importantly have fun

Za’atar kimbap made with Ontario Greenhouse Vege

Za’atar kimbap made with Ontario Greenhouse Vegetables, cucumbers and bell peppers. Created this simple kimbap with a little Mediterranean twist in collaboration with @ProduceMadeSimple. It’s a great alternative to sandwiches and a perfect picnic option. Proud to promote these local ingredients. Ontario greenhouse cucumbers are available all year round, peppers February to December. See recipe below and stories for a tutorial on how to assemble.
#eatmoreproduce #loveONTfood #greenhouseveg #ontariogreenhousevegetables #producemadesimple

Za’atar Kimbap:
Serves 2 as a filling meal or 4 as a snack.
4 sheets Nori
3 cups cooked short grain sushi rice
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil for frying egg
1 large carrot julienned
2 mini Ontario greenhouse cucumbers
1 yellow or orange Ontario Greenhouse bell pepper
3 teaspoons Za’atar
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon salt

Toss rice, sesame seed oil and salt evenly. Cover and set aside.
Take paper towel and evenly wipe vegetable oil on hot skillet.
Beat eggs and spread on hot skillet similar to frying a thin crepe. Fry for a few seconds until egg sets.
Remove from heat and fold the egg over into quarters. Transfer egg to plate. Set aside to cool.
In same pan, lightly fry the carrots about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate and set aside to cool.
In the meanwhile, julienne the cucumbers, bell pepper and the fried egg.
For the assembly of the kimbap please see stories which I’ll also save to highlights. 🍱

A glossary of props explaining the symbolism behin

A glossary of props explaining the symbolism behind my post in March about my father’s hands. Some are mystical concepts and sentiments. Others biblical stories or ancient legends. But all with the same message of hope.
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Much has changed since posting my father’s hands 4 months ago. Admittedly these current events have brought me clarity and appreciation.
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BAOZI BUNS: (aka Jjinppang) Legend has it, these buns were invented by a 3rd century Chinese military strategist Zhuge Liange. Liange and his army were engaged in a military campaign when his soldiers were beset with the plague. Liange created the dumpling as an offering to the gods and shaped the buns like human heads.
CANDLE: Light in darkness
EGGS: New life
GARLIC: Good health.
OLIVE BRANCH: Peace. The dove in search of land returns with an olive branch to Noah.
SALT: Purity, the essence of life.
TWEEDIA FLOWERS: Hope. Due to their star blossoms
FATHER’S HANDS: Strength and resilience.

Made this Cherry and Strawberry Galette using ingr

Made this Cherry and Strawberry Galette using ingredients from @MetroOntario Strawberries are at its peak right now making them the perfect fruit to pair up with cherries for a sweet summer galette to celebrate Canada’s birthday. Visit my stories to see how I serve this galette with some Irresistibles ice cream and maple syrup. Scroll down for the recipe (in comments) and find all the ingredients at your local @MetroOntario. Happy Canada Day. Bonne Fête Canada! #mymetro #metroloveslocal

Fresh vegetables of course are key to a delicious

Fresh vegetables of course are key to a delicious salad. But @carapelliusa Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil truly takes any dish to the next level. It has become a staple on our dinner table. Blended from early harvests of century-old olive trees, the flavour has a fruity yet leafy taste with a subtle pleasant bitterness on the palate. The innovative anti-drip spout and beautiful bottle makes Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil convenient to add to any fresh dish. See stories for a celery root and heirloom salad and a link for more information and to purchase. #MyCarapelliCraft #CarapelliFirenze #125YearsOfMastery #Evoo #ExtraVirginOliveOil

Deep fried tempura/Panko crusted asparagus with a

Deep fried tempura/Panko crusted asparagus with a parsley lemon yogurt dip. Recipe below. Measurements are a bit of this and that. .
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Not a typical Stems & Forks shot. But feeling kinda rebellious today. .
DIP
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Fistful of chopped fresh parsley
Juice of half a lemon
1 clove garlic very finely diced garlic
salt and pepper
Pinch of fennel seeds
Mix all the ingredients above. .
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Tempura batter:
1 cup AP flour sifted
1 cup ice water
Dash of salt
1 egg lightly beaten
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Crust:
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
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1 bunch washed and dried asparagus. .
Lightly mix cold water, egg and flour with fork. About 20 seconds. Batter should be clumpy. Don’t over mix.
Dip asparagus in batter. Then coat batter with Panko bread crumbs. Fry in hot oil (deep fryer) for about 3 minutes. Don’t over crowd the fryer. .
Serve with yogurt dip and sprinkle some toasted cashews. .

Dried. Flowers. . . . . (Post edit) inspired by Ic

Dried. Flowers. .
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(Post edit) inspired by Ich steh mit einem Fuß im grabe...
#bmv156
RIPdrjohnsalvendy

JAZZ™ apples. #ad Zingy, effervescent, flavourfu

JAZZ™ apples. #ad Zingy, effervescent, flavourful and crunchy is how I’d describe these apples. Perfect for baking, salads, snacking on its own or building a pyramid with spun sugar if you’re over the top like me ;) You can now find @jazzappleus at major grocery retailers or @metroontario #jazzappleus #jazzsensation #apples

Congratulations @justcrumbs on “Baked”. In Suz

Congratulations @justcrumbs on “Baked”. In Suzie’s words “Baked is the essential cookbook for the novice and experienced baker alike.” Your hard work and passion shines through. I’ll put a link in stories to @justcrumbs site to purchase. Happy to have played a small part in your journey. #baked #justcrumbs #baking #foodphotography #foodstyling

Spent the afternoon sketching the late George Floy

Spent the afternoon sketching the late George Floyd....I will never forget.
Black lives matter. .
J’ai passé la journée à dessiner le regretté George Floyd. Je n'oublierai jamais.

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