I thought I would take a little break from all of the wedding images and give you a peek at some food. I recently decided to start a project wherein I pick a country at random and try to find traditional recipes from the area. I then attempt to cook the recipes that look the most interesting. This is a project that will take forever to finish, but it is fun to work on. I haven't really decided to set any sort of time line for myself, but it is something that will probably sneak into the blog from time to time. If you have any traditional recipes that you think will fit into my little project, please leave a comment. I would love to try your recipe!
I love heirloom tomatoes. They are so beautiful and have so much more character than the boring old hothouse tomatoes that are in all of the supermarkets. They never have the same shape and the colors vary from red to orange, yellow and green. And don't even get me started on the flavor... oh the sweet flavor of a fresh heirloom tomato. Delicious.
Afghanistan was the first country that I choose. Naturally, It is the first county alphabetically. I know, random. Anyway, I chose several recipes to make, but the one I chose to photograph was a yogurt soup. The other option was basically meat on a stick, which is drastically less beautiful to photograph. And I figured I should get all of the photographs of my precious heirloom tomatoes while they are still around.
And now for the Recipe:
Afghan Yogurt Soup with Tomatoes (Sherwa-e-Lawang)
Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- 4 Tablespoons ghee (I used olive oil)
- 3 Medium tomatoes, skinned and chopped (I was too lazy to skin them but realized after that I should have)
- 16 oz. yogurt (I use bulgarian)
- 2 tb all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- salt to taste
Method:
Drain yogurt in cheesecloth or muslin bag for about an hour. This is called 'chaka' in Afghanistan and is preferred for use in cooking because it avoids imparting any acid or sour taste which the whey in ordinary yogurt can give to a dish.
Fry the garlic in the margarine or ghee until brown. Add the tomatoes and stir and fry until reddish-brown.
Blend the strained yogurt, 1 cup water, the flour, turmeric and salt, either by hand or in a mixer. Then slowly add to the garlic and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer gently until the soup s thickened, about 30 minutes.
Serves: 3 - 4
I thought it was pretty good. Definitely peel the tomatoes, I had funny chucks of tomato skin floating around in my soup. All in all though, not bad.
We went to the San Diego Zoo today. I had an amazing time shooting all day. I can't resist it though, I had to put up my tiger pictures TODAY. I just loved these.
A few posts back I wrote about Julie and JP's wedding in Golden Gate Park. The day after that ceremony Shelly and I photographed their second ceremony. I remember when I first met Julie and JP and they told me that Julie wouldn't feel married if they didn't have a western ceremony and JP wouldn't feel married if he didn't have an indian ceremony. So they settled on having both!
Julie had lots of help getting ready. Each piece of jewelry and piece of clothing was carefully placed. Julie smiled and laughed at the attention she was getting. Who wouldn't love being a princess two days in a row!
The
ceremony took place at JP's parents home in Cupertino which was
perfectly suited to the days events. Apparently they had never had a
ceremony like this there before, but it seemed as if that is what it
was designed for. It was a perfect ceremony site.
The ceremony started with the Baraat where the groom is taken to the ceremony site. It was filled with music and dancing, colors and laughter. This is one of my favorite parts of the Indian ceremony. There is so much going on that it is easy to get lost in the moment.
JP was carried by his friends to the ceremony site. He seemed to enjoy the view, and had no problem being carried through the dancing crowd. He was surrounded by his friends and family with the excitement of the day all around him.
After the beginning of the ceremony (just the groom and his parents), Julie arrived escorted by her sister and JP's sister. Julie looked radiant!
I love this photograph. I love the way the sun is spraying down on them. I love that you can see JP's shadow through the sheet. I love this moment, just before they see one another. I find those moments just before or just after a given event to be so extraordinary. This is the part in the ceremony where the Bride and groom exchange garlands signifying their acceptance of each other as husband and wife.
I am not sure if this is where the saying 'to tie the knot' comes from, but it is clearly a significant part of the ceremony. The ends of the clothing worn by the bride and groom are tied together signifying the sacred wedlock,
The bride and groom take their first seven steps together.
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And Finally, they are BOTH married!
After the wedding there was a reception complete with music, dancing and wonderful food.
Poor little munchkin took a tumble just before I snatched this shot of him. You can see where he fell on his nose, but he was a tough little kiddo.
It was a bit chilly outside so some of the tables were moved inside. The house became a hive of activity as the conversation elevated and the children played.
Julie and JP, I hope you had an amazing time in New Zealand. You are such a sweet couple and I enjoyed every moment of both of your ceremonies. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it! I am so happy for the two of you.
Just a quick post today, I am heading over Tilden Park in Berkeley to photograph Jenn and Shane's Wedding and I have to get my act together so I can capture their day perfectly. I thought I would give you a peak at the referral cards again and show you baby announcement that I recently designed for Megan and Ryan's baby girl, Hayley.
I asked a few posts back what you thought about my referral cards and how many I should be giving out. I settled on 5 cards per client. If they do their job and I get new clients from them, I will keep sending them out. If you would like more or you haven't gotten any and would like some please let me know. A few specs on this product...
I get them printed by Moo. I love this company for two reasons. First, I can order a different image for every card I want and I can order as few as 50 cards at a time. So I order a batch of 50 with 10 different images, perfect for referral cards! Secondly, I have the option of going green! All of my referral cards are printed on on 100% recycled fiber, totally chlorine free and 100% bio-degradable. Even the packaging that the cards come in is recycled!! Perfect!
These are the cards that I made for Hayley. They turned out pretty cute, if I don't say so myself!
Finally, what do you think of my new blog header? I wanted a bit of a change, something new and fun. The image was taken by a good friend of mine, Jess while we were in South Africa at De Hoop Nature reserve last year. There is a bit of a back story to this image, several years ago Jess and I (and 7 other students from South Africa) went on an amazing adventure together all around South Africa (this is when I met my husband actually). While we were road-tripping Jess and I began our book, Cartwheels around the world. Well, it isn't a book yet, just something we joke about. Since then, we always try to get an image of me doing a cartwheel in interesting places. This is one of those images.
OK, I suppose I should get my gear together... it's wedding time!
I like the new look, but will miss my superstar status on your blog page. ;~)
(12.01.09)Aww, Sorry Yvette! But, you were up there for quite a while, and you will always maintain superstar status in my eyes :)
(12.01.09)I liked your headline but I have to say that the idea of Cartwheels around the world as a book could make an amazing project. Imagine if people, from around the world, posted doing cartwheels in a flickr acount (or other photo sharing site of your choosing). I love the idea... in any form.
Also I think the ribbon choice on the referral cards is perfect. Let's you see through to the image but still gives it a specail feeling. Thanks for the Moo info. It's nice to read about where the product was printed.
(12.01.09)Shelly, thanks for the comment. Perhaps you will have to join the cartwheel movement!
(12.01.09)Sara, if you do a few extra of animal-featured referral cards, I can put them out at the shelter. I think I see Remy's bat ears poking out of the pile... handsome beastie.
The new header pic is amazing!
(12.01.09)
It is time for a Shasta update again! These images are from when I was in Prunedale just before going to New York. I spent several days with my favorite four legged friend and loved every moment. If you are a friend of mine on facebook you have probably gotten a few snippets of Shasta's latest adventure. My parents went on a short trip to Austin, Texas and Shasta decided that she would go on a trip of her own. She has some serious separation issues and I am sure she was just trying to find my parents. I got a phone call letting me know that a nice person found her and was holding onto her until we could have someone come get her. So last night was a bit of a scramble trying to make arrangements for her. Bad dog.
Shasta, photography by Sara Atkins Photography
As you can see, Shasta has gotten quite a bit bigger since we first found her. She has put on a full healthy coat and her weight is just about normal. Most of the sores she had are healed and she is happy as can be.
'Shasta, lets go!', photography by, Sara Atkins Photography
Shasta is an amazing trail dog. When I take her running, if I get out of her line of vision and call her name she comes bolting towards me. It is fun to see her hit a full sprint.
A ride in the Car, photography by Sara Atkins Photography
She has come to love riding in the car. Poor Sophie (my mom's dog) gets stuck trying to squeeze in with Shasta's enormous body.
Morning Play time, photography by Dedie
The next few images are of our morning play time. My mom took these and captured our relationship pretty well. I expect you to ignore the fact that I am in my pj's, my hair is un-brushed and I am a bit of a mess. When I am at my parents place, I can't help but play with that furry mutt first thing.
Love Session, photography by Dedie
Good Girl, photography by Dedie
It is amazing how quickly Shasta has become attached to me (and me to her). When I go to visit my parents she hardly leaves my side. She is constantly wanting to crawl into my lap and keeps a sharp eye on my car and is sure to be in the passenger seat if I pick up my car keys.
My buddy, photography by Sara Atkins Photography
When I have to leave it is such a struggle. I know she is with my parents and is so lucky to have a big yard and another dog to play with. My parents adore her and take amazing care of her. But, I can't help but to feel like a teenage mom leaving her kid with the grandparents. Poor Shasta looks so sad when I start packing the car to go. It breaks my heart.
Big Hug, photography by Dedie
Working, photography by Dedie
But
we do enjoy the time we have together. You can see that I am working in
the background, and of course Shasta is right by my side.
This is such a cool idea -- looks yum!
(11.30.09)Tx for the recipe Sara, looks wonderful, I will make it this week!
(11.30.09)What a wonderful idea, Sarah! I too am braving the fine world of cooking myself and experimenting with recipes. Thank you for sharing this recipe; Robert has been interested in trying Afghan food and this looks like a great place to start.
(11.30.09)What a wonderful idea, Sarah! I too am braving the fine world of cooking myself and experimenting with recipes. Thank you for sharing this recipe; Robert has been interested in trying Afghan food and this looks like a great place to start.
(11.30.09)Very cool! I am going to send you some yummy Malaysian recipes for when you get down to letter "M"! :)
(11.30.09)Thank you! I am enjoying every bite! And Sue.... don't wait until I get to M, send them now!!
(11.30.09)