Karen Schuld Photography: NYC Food Photographer

Sprouts in the Hood

Sprouts in the Hood
Exploring My Hood Through Food and Lifestyle Photography

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Muchas Felicidades: Refreshing Champagne Cocktail with Zest and a Splash of Salsa!

Cocktail with Champagne with Zest and Cranberries

I love great champagne, but sometimes I do not have the cash.
For an affordable alternative, try a glass of Italian or Spanish sparkling wine with lemon or orange zest, 1 or 2 crushed cranberries and a splash of Salsa music.  !Feliz año nuevo!


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Spelt Winter Salad:

Ingredients for Spelt Salad
Spelt Winter Salad



Ingredients:

2 cups spelt
1 pomegranate, seeded
1 cup sprouted mung beans
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sauteed
1 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
White truffle oil or premium olive oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

1.  In a saucepan, boil spelt in 3 cups of water for 30 minutes or so.  Drain excess water.
2.  In a bowl, mix spelt, pomegranate seeds, sprouted mung beans and sauteed shiitake mushrooms.
3.  Serve on a salad plate. 
4.  Top with pistachios.
5.  Lightly dress with a white truffle oil or premium olive oil.
6.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Love at First Sprout: Growing Mung Beans

Mung Beans
It all started on my first trip to India ...... Crunchy, tasty, healthy little sprouts that were added to many dishes I had at the dining table of my host family.

 A new culinary experience - I got curious to see how these little sprouts appeared magically overnight from the kitchen to the table.

Sprouts are a great way to bring fresh greens to your table in the middle of winter, plus they are easy to grow in your kitchen all year round

Mung beans, a staple food in India, can be easily found at any Asian, Middle Eastern, or Indian market or by mail order at sproutpeople.org.  They are great in stir-fries or added to salad, eggs, grains or any entree.


Growing Sprouts:

1. Soak overnight. (I use a mason jar with a mesh cover for easy drainage).
Mung Beans Soaking
 2.  Rinse, then drain.

Draining off Water

 3. Let sit on a dark corner of your kitchen.

Mung Beans Growing

4. Rinse and drain twice per day for 2 or 3 days.
5. Refrigerate.  They will keep for about 1 week.
 




 

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Herbal Teas from Oriental Pastry and Grocery Co.

Tea Pour, Lavender and Roses
In winter, I like to stock up on teas from my favorite middle eastern market, in downtown Brooklyn, the Oriental Pastry and Grocery Company. Here, amongst the bins of spices, dates and pistachios, there are jars filled with dried orange rind, roses, lavender, sage, wildflowers, hibiscus and lemon verbena.  The scent of herbal teas adds comfort and warmth to a freezing and hectic afternoon in NYC.

Wild Flower Tea
Sage Tea

Friday, December 3, 2010

Chennai Flower Market

What impresses me while traveling to other countries is that you shop in a market not a “super market.”  I become creatively inspired by the colors, textures, and scents of fresh produce, flowers, legumes and spices that are unique to a specific region. 

Pomegranate
Here are some of my pictures capturing the kaleidoscope of colors and textures at the wholesale flower market in Chennai, India.  The tropical flora at this south Indian market is stunning:  Perfect subject matter for a photograph.
Lotus Bulbs

Woman Holding Lotus Bouquet

Man Holding Marigold

Little Flower

Bear Fruit

Woman at Market

Flower Garland

Bananas
Woman Holding Lotus Flowers