Styling and Photographing Food

When I photograph food, I focus on color combination and styling.  Rich vibrant color sings out to give food its appeal. Turmeric’s yellow color not only makes for an impressive visual presentation, it also adds a mild earthy flavor to other ingredients, such as the rice here.  The deep green of the cilantro and the light green-yellow of the lemon mixed with the turmeric colored rice made for the perfect photo.

Autumn Leaves and Yellow Turmeric

Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric

Cauliflower with Turmeric and a Sprig of Coriander

Here's how to add turmeric Into your diet:  Cauliflower with turmeric recipe.

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower florets

2 teaspoons of turmeric

1 teaspoon of cardamom

1 teaspoon of salt

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon of water

3 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of fresh coriander, lightly chopped

1.  Combine cauliflower florets with spices, water and oil in a skillet.
2.  Lightly saute and toss ingredients together until spices cover florets.

2.  Bake for around 25 minutes at 425 degrees with a couple cloves of garlic.

3.  Remove from the oven after florets edges have browned.
4.  Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

Basmati Rice Garnished with Fried Onions

This photograph of basmati rice was taken at the goat fair, outside the Jama Masjid (largest mosque in India) in Old Delhi.  The multi-colored garnish on top of the rice is fried onion suffused in turmeric and Kashmiri chili.   I love the juxtaposition of these pictures, which share stunning bright yellows and deep reds.

Basmati Rice with Fried Onion Garnish