Archive for the ‘Create/I Make’ Category

• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup honey*
• 1 package (12 ounces) silken tofu
• 1 cup fresh blackberries

_ Combine 2 1/2 teaspoons of the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, and tofu in a blender.
_ Puree ingredients until smooth, scraping down sides of blender with rubber spatula as necessary.
_ Divide lemon cream evenly among four bowls or serving glasses. Garnish each portion with blackberries and reserved lemon zest. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Serves 4.

The silken tofu has a smooth, panna cotta like texture, while fresh lemon juice adds a burst of tart flavor. You can make the lemon cream in advance, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for three days.

*Although I’m not vegan, I used Nature’s Agave Nectar [ which I'm thoroughly obsessed with now ] instead of honey.

|| Read more at Whole Living ||

While I’m working on pulling together photos of the actual party, here are a few process photos of my sis-in-law’s baby shower held at my place two weeks ago.

I love Japanese masking tape. I bought a stack in shades of blue and green, which I used to customize clothespins, vases, and from which I made little cupcake flag toppers // Tags for a wishing tree // At the local craft store, I picked up $1 boat model kits, which we painted in the same color theme // Wooden utensils // Parlor game medals // Blue & green, stripes & polka dots for handmade pennant garlands.

|| Photos are my own ||

Homemade ceviche // Sicilian pistachio gelato & olive oil cake // Flowers picked from the garden // Nautical theme at the Chance trunk show held in San Francisco last week // Wally is a live teddy bear // Walks in the park.

|| Photos by Tish ||

Self-made necklace of faceted grey agate beads, three rhinestone brooches I wired together, silver chains & charms.

Self-made necklace of black faceted and sterling silver beads, two vintage mixed metal pins I wired together. All the necklaces I’ve been working on have little hanging bits of chains and charms — this one has a little vintage silver bee [not pictured].

|| Photos by Tish ||

Self-made necklace of faceted crystal, sterling silver and hefty vintage pin of silver+rhinestone.

|| Photos by Tish ||

Self-made necklace of green flourite stones with sterling silver beads, vintage silver-tone Trifari brooch, silver chains and tourmaline nuggets

|| Photos by Tish ||

Self-made necklace of white faceted-agate and sterling silver beads; 2 vintage rhinestone brooches I wired together, vintage silver-gilded glass beads and sterling silver chains.

|| Photos by Tish ||

Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta* [Serves 6-8]

_1 envelope unflavored gelatin
_1 cup + 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
_1 cup whipping cream
_1 cup Meyer lemon juice (4-6 Meyer lemons)
_2 tablespoons finely grated Meyer lemon zest
_1 cup nonfat Greek-style yogurt

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a small ramekin; let it soften for 5 minutes or until no dry spots remain.

Combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan; bring to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and add the gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin dissolves. Add cream, lemon juice and lemon zest. Let cool slightly.

Put yogurt in a mixing bowl and whisk to loosen it up. Add the cream mixture, little by little, gently stirring after each addition to break up any lumps of yogurt before adding more cream. Do not over stir, which will avoid air bubbles.

Pour mixture into containers. Tap bowls on the counter to remove air bubbles. Cover and chill until set, 6 hours to overnight.

*This recipe, from SFGate, came out with the most perfect texture and consistency. I found the results a tiny bit too sweet, although the lemon tang helped temper that. Also, I would personally add a bit more zest in the panna cotta. I added zest for garnish.

_____________________________

Paula Deen’s Lemon Bars. Easy to make and the crust is lovely, but, ultimately, not my kind of dessert. It’s too sweet for my taste.

Today I’m wearing a self-made necklace with smoky quartz nuggets, reconstructed vintage rhinestone bracelet part, sterling silver chains, and freshwater pearls. I like it. It goes with everything, including my fave non-colors — black and taupish[mushroom]-grey.

|| Photos by Tish ||