Fratelli Fresh Cooking Class

Cooking is my meditation, it's my time out and relaxation, it's my chance to be creative and to make something with love to share with others.

Some days I'm not inspired to make anything in particular, so I don't. There's nothing worse than forcing yourself to do something creative, it's doomed before you even start.

Fratelli Fresh offer free teaser cooking classes during the week. Being a lady of leisure on a small budget, this was a great way to keep me entertained for an afternoon and meet new people.

The class is approximately one hour and it's run by two cooks from Cafe Sopra. The bargain bit is that you get insider tips on how to recreate delicious dishes ala Cafe Sopra direct from the people that make them.

Our instrictors were Will and Phillipa.

You register online, get email confirmation, then Fratelli Fresh ring you the day before to confirm your attendance. Points for customer service and organisation.

The shitty thing for them was that quite a few people cancelled last minute. Good for us that rocked up as it meant we had a cooking bench all to ourselves, as opposed to partnering up.

They had all the ingredients set out on the bench, pre-prepared and portioned.

We got a printed copy of the recipes for reference whilst cooking and to take home.

The class is quite simple. We didn't run through technical cooking terms or (many) preparation techniques. Instead they showed us the sequence of events for each recipe, gave us some handy hints on the produce and provided possible alternatives for some ingredients.

Recipe #1: Shaved zucchini, fennel and green olive salad.

Recipe #2: Amatriciana.

Will tried to make it interesting by researching where Amatriciana originated from. He loves the history of food. And isn't food and culture so intertwined anyway?

In his disappointment, the story was really boring, therefore not providing him with the informative ammunition to excite us students over this pasta dish.

I cross referenced my Italian cookbook:
"Although a standard of Roman cooking today, the dish is named for, and possibly originally comes from, the ancient town of Amatrice in far northeastern Lazio, near the borders of Umbria, in Marche, and Abruzzo. One explanation for its popularity in the Italian capital is that several of the chefs who served in the Vatican came from Amatrice. The sauce is often made with pancetta, but it is traditionally flavoured with the milder cured pork jowl called guanciale...." (Andrews, 2011)
I stuffed some of the food in my face and took the leftovers to my hubby for dinner.

As far as salad goes, you don't make friends with it. So the Amatriciana was my favourite dish of the two. So simple yet so tasty. Horror of horrors I've never made a sauce with fresh cherry tomatoes before, so I found this fascinating. I think it's my mum's fault. She always made her own passata (I have memories seared in my brain of 40 degrees Celsius summers spent crushing and bottling tomatoes in our garage - itchy) so automatically I have a tendency to use passata or crushed canned tomatoes for my sauces. In addition, the last time I ate a tomato that actually smelled and tasted and was sweet like tomatoes are supposed to be, was probably back then too circa 1992.

The cooking class helped me connect with like minded people (the cooks, as the attendees were pretty much mute and had minimal personality) as well as awaken some rustic, home style simplicity I seem to have been missing lately. I miss pasta. I want to invent some pasta dishes pronto.

Reference
Colman Andrews (2011). The Country Cooking of Italy. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. p95.

Taste of Sydney Festival

Sydney delivered a gloriously warm and pleasant day yesterday to make sure the Taste of Sydney Festival went off without a hitch. Much needed after the rained out/cancelled opening night on Thursday.

The swivelling piggy promised a great night...

The deal is you pay for entry ($25 pre-purchased or $30 at the door), and this gets you entry and a complimentary copy of the Gourmet Traveller magazine. WHOOPEE. That's just free advertising for them anyway. Then you buy "crowns" which is the festival currency that you use to purchase food and drink with. I bought $30 worth of crowns (they come in lots of $10, $30 and $50). Already I'm $55 out of pocket; $4 of which went to buying an empty plastic wine glass. I wish I'd brought my own. Jipped.

I hadn't been to the Taste of Sydney Festival before. It looked really "white", clinical, synthetic. White tents encircling you everywhere with row after row of wine producer and the odd bakery or vegetable or condiment stall, with some food stalls shoved in between for good measure. I got the eerie sense that it was almost too well organised, like not enough chaos or pandemonium happening to make things interesting. Everything was so shiny and well groomed.

We tended to stick around the sustainability corner as it had the most colour and life in the place.

The colour it seems, came out as the night progressed. I found it in the detail of the food, the stains on my wine glass and the faces of the people that I spoke to. Of course knocking back some vino helped in making this colour stand out. It loosened up the stiffness of what was a really boring party which your friend dragged you along to, and you had arrived so early that you stood in the corner praying for more people to come so that you could blend in and then quietly and stealthily exit stage right or left or whatever got you the hell out of there, pronto.

The presence of A Tavola did make me happy though.

I got the pasta with ragu - delicious. I just wished that for $12 there was more of it. It was like a teenager not sure if they lost their virginity or not. Does putting in the tip of the penis count?

For a Sydney event, there was a friendly vibe which is mostly attributed to the few (country) producers willing to chat about what they're passionate about. Like this hottie that told us about his father's vineyard.


And our new mate Gavin that showed us different composting methods and his whizz-bang African beehive.

The rest seemed to have sales people at their stalls or were selling themselves, with good humour of course.

There were quite a few swanky bars and beat stations set up, but why the fuck didn't anyone dance? I guess they were too busy posing, or working, or both.

It seemed that everyone was so beaten down by their work week that they couldn't just let go and cut loose. Footloose. Instead they relapsed into their sedated Friday night limbo.

I feel slightly unsatisfied, discontent. Would I go again? Only if I snuck in a bottle of expensive red vino (for me) and acid trips or happy brownies for all the other fuckers in there.

Bring back the salad days, the messy days of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival spilling onto the streets of Adelaide. Now that was a food and wine festival. No entry fee, no fucking festival currency, no fencing, no gimmicks. Just awesome food, wine and music; with DJs cutting loose and people dancing the day away in the streets with a healthy dose of police intervention.


Lose the pretentiousness Sydney. It's boring.

Restorative & Meditative Yoga with a Side of Meat

I'm not a yogi. There's only so much hummus I'll eat and I'm so no about raw food unless it's sashimi. Oh yeah, and I love my freaking meat (in case you hadn't noticed already). Yet I do enjoy taking the odd yoga class.

Last night I took my new favourite class: Restorative and Meditative Yoga. After it I feel like a million bucks. Balanced, content and with a clear mind to take on anything life throws my way.

This is not the type of class where you sweat it out and do your power moves. It's all about doing postures that relax you and restore your energy levels. You hold the same posture for quite a while and focus intently on your breathing throughout it.

One of the hardest things is to keep your mind focused on the breathing alone. It's so easy for random thoughts to pop into your head and distract you. The instructor tells the class to acknowledge those thoughts then move on, get back to your breathing.

To take an hour to yourself to connect with your body through any form of exercise, is peanuts in the scheme of things. Yet so much benefit can be derived from it.

I'm pretty slack with sticking to an exercise plan, but I will commit throughout Meditative March, aside from my regular walking, to go to at least one yoga class a week.

What form of movement will you commit to?

Who is Picasso?

Art After Hours is my favourite time to visit the Art Gallery of NSW. You can go during the day time and come out after the sun has set. It's like a time warp, like teleporting into a different period of time and being spat out again.

On Wednesday I went early to enjoy walking up Art Gallery Road in the midday sunshine. It's one of my favourite walks in Sydney. The tall palm trees, the sweaty joggers running past (all the while I'm enjoying a leisurely stroll) and the well manicured grass and gardens surrounding the area.

 

I also went during the day to avoid the crowds and attempt to get some alone time with Picasso.

The first time I ever saw Picasso was in an exhibition in Amsterdam in 2011. Better late than never. I was fascinated by his varied styles and the extensive span of his work.

This time in Sydney I put together my exhibition pack and I was ready to roll.

I should mention it's the second time I'm seeing this Picasso exhibition. The first being when it opened in November 2011, coupled with high tea in the gallery restaurant.

The exhibition space was crammed with people and in true Sydney style, I had to line up to get a decent view of each of the paintings. There was the overpowering stench in the air of lingering being forbidden because of the ten to 20 people around you trying to get a look in.

So this time my goal was to linger, breathe in, enjoy and view my favourite pieces from this exhibition once more.

The piece below is one of my favourites. The awning-like blue and white vertical stripes and the karagiozi-like quality of the male figure are both Hellenistic in essence. The drama, passion and abandon all characteristic of any classical Greek tragedy.

The Kiss (1969) photo from exhibition pamphlet

Another one of my favourites is the piece below, I fell in love with it. The photo does not do it justice. In reality it's small at 27 x 22 cm and very vibrant in colour. The colour, mood and frivolity of it makes me feel that I can jump straight into the scene and be a part of it, sitting by the water, sun kissing my skin and enjoying the French (or Spanish) summer's day with my friends.

The Bathers (1918) photo from exhibition catalogue

Photography is not permitted in the exhibition, although it is in most of the spaces in the rest of the gallery; except the Aboriginal artwork, photographic or digital pieces.

The Acrobat (1930) photo from exhibition catalogue

There are no guided tours through this exhibition, but there is an extensive printed guide and an audio guide (I was told the audio repeats what's in the written guide).

The only tour available is "Picasso's Path" which takes approximately 45-60 minutes and goes through key artworks in the gallery which relate to Picasso - either artists/movements that influenced Picasso, or artists that were influenced or inspired by Picasso.

The use of complimentary colours and the thick expressive brush strokes especially to depict the light of the candle, are reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh. We viewed a Van Gogh piece in the tour as a point of comparison.

Death of Casagemas (1901) from Picasso's blue period, image sourced from here

It was a great idea doing the tour before seeing the exhibition as the tour guide gave us some great insights into Picasso. All I was interested in was determining how many lovers he had (there were a lot of them, plus four kids from three women) and what his inspirations were, which the guide covered well.

The Reader (1932) photo from exhibition catalogue: Marie Therese-Walter, one of Picasso's many lovers

Jacqueline Roque with her hands crossed (1954) photo from exhibition catalogue: Picasso's second wife

"When I paint I feel that all the artists of the past are behind me." Pablo Picasso

It's clearly evident that Picasso does indeed draw from artists from the past. He would spend hours at the Louvre or other museums and galleries studying the work of other artists, drawing on it for inspiration and innovating to create his own, new and unique style that pushed the boundaries further.

His iconic painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, inspired by African masks Picasso saw (for the first time) at Braque's house, was extremely controversial. At the time his contemporaries and friends thought he was crazy drawing such strange shapes and images. The flattened surfaces, elongated eyes and the mere subject matter (prostitutes in a brothel) fascinated and shocked people.

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) image sourced from MoMA & Wikipedia

Picasso was on to a good thing, these were the beginnings of analytical cubism which explored 3D imagery on a 2D surface. This period naturally progressed and Braque and Picasso would paint these types of images together, to the point where their work would become indistinguishable. Then synthetic cubism followed which essentially was collage. Masters at work, they were paving the pathway to greatness, creating new movements and what we now call modern art.

What strikes me in Picasso's work is that his progress, growth and experimentation is clear. He never wanted to be an abstract painter, he wanted his audience to see exactly what he painted/sculpted so they could focus on the emotion, rather than trying to figure out what the subject matter was.

photo and excerpt from exhibition catalogue

Picasso was never afraid to try new things, to be different. He was also never afraid of pleasure and indulgence or perhaps torment too, or taboo subjects such as sexuality and sex. Other themes include his identity and Spanish heritage and things still very relevant to us today such as death and the futility of war.

Bullfight, The Death of the Torero (1933) image from exhibition catalogue

There is so much information available on Picasso. I didn't want to read about him, I wanted to feel who he was through his life's work.

He was first and foremost an innovator and a lover. A mad scientist. A son, a pupil, a father, a teacher, a husband, a friend, a rival.  Perpetually growing, developing, exploring and experimenting.

And finally he was a friend to the dwarfs. This is one of my favourite Picasso paintings which I viewed in Amsterdam. Note: it does not appear at the Art Gallery of NSW exhibition.

La Nana - The Dwarf (1901) image sourced from here

I often view exhibitions, walking away and not really thinking twice about the subject matter or artist.

Picasso got under my skin. As much as there is light in his work, there is more darkness, depicting the themes and times he lived in.

As much as he fascinates me he also disturbs me, both for all the similarities and all the differences we share. We both like dwarfs and women of the night (my tendency is towards strippers, his towards prostitutes); we both explore/d our heritage and identity; we share a shady past when it comes to relationships; we like drinking; and  finally we're both afraid of death. Then for the differences: he created artwork with abandon, generating more and more pieces, created movements, pushed boundaries and exposed himself, took unimaginable risks, was a complete visionary. And I simply haven't, not to that extent.

So what I walk away with is a life lesson. I didn't realise it then in Amsterdam, or the first time here in Sydney. I realise it now, the third time I've seen his work and thinking about my life.

Picasso taught me not to be afraid of making mistakes, he taught me to enjoy and revel in life's process. To learn from the past, to honour its masters and my predecessors, and use the past to create a more meaningful and unique present.

Come to your own meaning or lesson.

For Sydneysiders, the exhibition is only open another month until 25 March 2012. Make sure to book tickets in advance, unless you're going off peak times then you can chance it and buy them at the ticket desk.

I leave you with these parting words:

"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." Pablo Picasso

Lin-mania!

Jeremy Lin, lin baby, lintastic, linalicious, linsanity, linsane asylum, lindarella story...it goes on. Lin-mania has even reached Australian shores, hard for it not to since we're so entrenched in American culture.

Image (C) Getty Images, sourced from News One

I can't help it, I like Lin. I like his underdog story. A regular boy, went to Harvard University and studied economics and played basketball since he was young because he loves it. He gets dropped from two teams in one season and is about to get dropped from his current team the NY Knicks, sleeps on his brothers couch then out of sheer luck or destiny or whatever universal power got him to that moment, it's game on. The allstar players are off sick or holidaying or something, the NYK are desperate so they give Lin a shot. He explodes onto the basketball court, gives it all he has and it's linsanity, linmania and you know the rest.

He gives me hope that I can achieve any crazy or what may seem unrealistic, far fetched dream I set my mind to.

And his best feature? His humility. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. It's hard not to like him.

Good on him, well done, keep up the great work son.

Now I gotta get me one of those t-shirts.

Image (C) J/Z Printshop

Fleur Wood Warehouse Sale

Sydneysiders love a brand name discounted. If they don't then they're crazy or they have way too much disposable income.

Who would pay $295 for a day dress? Not me. I picked this puppy up for $89 at the Fleur Wood warehouse sale in Surry Hills.

Water sprite dress

This top was $69, discounted from $119. Admittedly pricier than what I wanted to pay for a top from a warehouse sale. I considered changing the coloured tag on it so for the more reasonable price of $29, but concluded it would be bad karma. Aww so pretty and girly.

Porcorosso

I made the most of being a lady of leisure today and lunched with my cousin V. Lunch turned into dessert and coffee, which lead us to home ware shopping on Devonshire St in Surry Hills. But I bore you with the details.

La Maison outlet on Devonshire St, Surry Hills. This mantra reminded me of how good Guinness is for blood deficiency (in oriental medicine terms).

All you need to know is Porcorosso opened up in my hood about three weeks ago. About time a decent pizza joint opened up close by, thank you food gods!! The authentic Italian eye candy running the joint makes matters even better. Damiano, one of the owners, tells me there's five of them that partnered up - mama mia!

Porcorosso only open for breakfast and lunch at this stage, but will probably start opening for dinner in the coming weeks. Might be worth giving them a call before making the trek. The pizza and perv are worth it. It's OK, I can say that. My husband and I have an understanding: we have eyes and we use them.

Prices are decent at approx. $20 for a pizza and $16-19 for handmade pasta.

YUM YUM YUMMETY YUM Pizza Due with tomato, smoked ham, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, artichokes and olives.

Get it in ya! Shweet thin base ala authentic Italiano style.

 Salads are limited but there's a great selection starting from $9 for the rocket.

Rocket with shaved parmigiano salad @ 9 smackaroonies. Oversized so good value for your dosh. Remember: you don't make friends with salad, so order more!

The space is cool, warehouse style with large sacks of flour and polenta on display to give it that authentic Italian edge, or whatever you want to call it.

The sacks are on the right hand side...imagine them. I promise they're there, trust me. I just liked the stripey chairs more.

Oh yeah and the name? It means Crimson Pig. I wonder if it was named after the Japanese anime film. This would describe the appearance of random Japanese ingredients like edamame on the menu. So strange it's cool.

Porcorosso
Shop 4-5, 25/33 Allen Street, WATERLOO
Telefono N. 02 9698 2983

Love the oversize communal high table for a casual lunch or to suck down coffee whilst flicking through mags.

 I'm going tomorrow to try their coffee and perv some more. Giddy up.