Month: June 2023

Monsoon Musings
Lifestyle & Arts

Monsoon Musings

Spaces Photograph by Naomi Shah I noticed the sky becoming overcast, grey clouds throwing shadows on my restive mind — and then, it didn’t rain. The cloudburst that would clear the air with the new smell of earth didn’t arrive. I remained hanging in suspense about what the future would bring. If only I could hear the pitter-patter on my parched terrace, I would know where to begin. The dull, lingering humidity cast a pall on my brain, and began to weigh on me like a nameless, yet ominous, premonition. I didn’t think a delayed monsoon would leave me so desperate, with such unfound or unknown expectations of a life that I wasn’t able to meet or find. ...
India In Fashion: The Impact Of Indian Dress And Textiles On The Fashionable Imagination. Setting The Record Straight — And About Time Too!
Lifestyle & Arts

India In Fashion: The Impact Of Indian Dress And Textiles On The Fashionable Imagination. Setting The Record Straight — And About Time Too!

Text by Shirin Mehta. With Photography by and Inputs from Asad Sheikh. 1. The entrance to the exhibition featured multiple red arches.2. The sindoor-red walls of the opening lobby were covered with a scanned brocade weave. The recently-concluded India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination, at Mumbai’s spanking new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), was a powerful reminder of India’s influence on European fashion. Curated by fashion journalist and editor Hamish Bowles and blueprinted by Patrick Kinmonth, a designer of sets for opera, and Mumbai-based architect Rooshad Shroff, the displays sprawled across a ...
The Designer Strawberry Has Arrived
Food & Nutrition

The Designer Strawberry Has Arrived

From late May through June, farmstands and farmers’ markets around the United States pop with color: bright red, fragrant, heart-shaped berries are in season. U-pick strawberry fields are ransacked annually by eager kids and their watchful parents, faces smeared with magenta slime. Stores are flush with overflowing cardboard cartons of strawberries, bearing “local” labels. For many, this period marks one’s first taste of truly ripe, melt-in-your-mouth strawberries, dripping with juice, bursting with sweetness. Then, by midsummer, the bliss is over. We revert back to cold, sterile, plastic clamshells of supermarket strawberries for the rest of the year. Bloated and crunchy, they’ve been grown afar and bred to withstand travel time—and they can feel...
Everything You Need To Know About Campari
Food & Nutrition

Everything You Need To Know About Campari

All About Campari Campari is a popular Italian alcoholic spirit known for its unique and bitter flavor. It is made by infusing a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit peel into a neutral spirit, then mixed with water and sugar. The result is a bright red liquid with a distinct taste, unlike any other spirit. The history of Campari dates back to 1860, when Gaspare Campari, an Italian businessman, created the recipe for the spirit in Novara, Italy. He originally called it "Bitter all'Uso d'Olanda," which means "Dutch-style bitter." However, over time, it became known simply as Campari. In the early days, Campari was primarily consumed as an aperitif, a drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. However, it quickly gained popularity and became a staple in Italian bars an...
The Power of Bone Broth: A Nutritious Elixir for Wellness
Food & Nutrition

The Power of Bone Broth: A Nutritious Elixir for Wellness

What Is Bone Broth & How Is It Used? Bone broth has been used for centuries for nutrition and healing in many cultures. It is made by simmering animal bones, typically those of chicken, beef, or fish, for a prolonged period, along with vegetables and herbs. The result is a flavorful, nutrient-rich broth that is believed to have numerous health benefits. One of the main benefits of bone broth is its high nutrient content. Bones are rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are essential for strong bones, teeth, and overall health. Bone broth is also a good source of collagen, a protein found in connective tissues like bones, tendons, and cartilage. Collagen is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails and supporting joint hea...
Cheese Sex Death Is the Internet’s Holy Church for Rennet and Rind
Food & Nutrition

Cheese Sex Death Is the Internet’s Holy Church for Rennet and Rind

Suppose it’s Sunday morning, and you’re feeling famished—socially, spiritually, digestively. At the great digital town square, by which I mean, unfortunately, your Instagram or TikTok account, church is open for business, a progressive place of worship where humor and feminism meld with rennet and rind. “Welcome to Cheese Church, where I preach about a cheese and tell you how to pair her. Today we’re worshipping queso fresco…”  This is the work of Cheese Sex Death, the omnichannel media presence of creator Erika Kubick. Kubick is a Chicago-based cheese educator and evangelist in the para-literal sense—her work frequently draws on religious terminology and iconography, from the “Testament of Cheesus” to “Holy Sacraments of Plating,” both chapters...
Savoring Artistry: The Charcuterie Boards Experience
Food & Nutrition

Savoring Artistry: The Charcuterie Boards Experience

Everything You Need to Know About Charcuterie Boards Charcuterie boards have become a trendy way to serve food at gatherings and events. These boards are typically made up of various cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and other small bites, arranged in an artful, visually stunning, and delicious way. In this blog post, we will explore the history of charcuterie, how to make a charcuterie board, and some tips for serving and enjoying this classic appetizer. Charcuterie is a French word for preparing meat products, such as sausages, pâtés, and cured meats. The practice dates back to ancient times, when humans first began preserving meat to make it last longer. Over time, charcuterie became an art form, with different regions of France and Italy developing their own unique style...
Three-Ingredient Coconut Granita Makes the Frosty Case for Minimalism
Food & Nutrition

Three-Ingredient Coconut Granita Makes the Frosty Case for Minimalism

Three-Ingredient Coconut Granita Makes the Frosty Case for Minimalism By: Zola Gregory Photos: Eli Lu After my parents divorced in 2002, my dad was forced into an age of culinary experimentation. It was around this time that he started making “coconut ice cream” to enjoy in the evenings after my sister and I had gone to sleep. The little bowl of dessert was a small joy in an otherwise difficult time. I have distinct memories of tiptoeing from bed and finding my dad enjoying a bowl of his ice cream in a dark room, the TV light flashing over his features. “Try it!” he would say. And I turned my little nose up at it, thinking, “What’s coconut, anyway?” It was...
Fennel Fronds and Fine Lines: Food Tattoos Take Root
Food & Nutrition

Fennel Fronds and Fine Lines: Food Tattoos Take Root

When I decided to get my first tattoo in the fall of 2020, I didn’t hesitate: I knew it would be fruit. A peeled tangerine, a halved lemon, and two small, plump figs, all clustered together in a three-inch still life. It was Caravaggio meets stick-and-poke, a composition that sounds wholly unique—until you scan the crowd at the Fort Greene farmers’ market or a buzzy LA pop-up. Dumplings dapple forearms; mushrooms sprout from knees. On my skin, and the skin of many others, it’s always citrus season.  In the early 2000s, tattoos were an overt chef signifier—especially food tattoos. You know the vibe: full sleeves filled out with true-to-size measuring cups, a long stalk of knobby Brussels sprouts, maybe a diagram of how to butcher a pig. Some part...
Exploring the Versatility and Delights of Shrimp
Food & Nutrition

Exploring the Versatility and Delights of Shrimp

Everything You Need To Know About Shrimp Shrimp is a popular seafood that is enjoyed by many people all over the world. It is a type of crustacean that belongs to the family of decapod crustaceans. Shrimp can be found in fresh and saltwater and come in various sizes, colors, and flavors. This article will explore the fascinating world of shrimp, from its biology and habitat to its culinary uses and health benefits. Biology and Habitat of Shrimp Shrimp are part of the larger crustaceans family, including lobsters, crabs, and crayfish. They have a hard exoskeleton that protects their body and a segmented body divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head of the shrimp contains the eyes, antennae, and mouthparts, while the thorax contains the legs, and the a...