Mondo

All Things Thursday: Flatulence Free Undies Edition

Konnichiwa, my friends!

It’s time for another All Things Thursday! It’s been a full week and I have plenty to share.

Let’s see. How shall I put this? Ladies and gentleman, I present to you…’fart-free draws’. Well, that’s not what they’re called but that’s what they do. Apparently, there’s a British company that makes underwear that comes with a funk filter. Yes, you read that correctly. They’re called Shreddies, underwear which is made of chemical warfare suit technology. So…you can fart up a storm and none will be the wiser. Well, then…it’s good to see warfare technology battle our most important threat…gas.

Scientists in Argentina have found a way to harness natural gas from cow burps. You know, for when we have a serious energy crisis. Um…ok. Seriously, can somebody tell me why there’s so much news about ‘gas’?

I didn’t start eating eggplant until about five years ago. When I did I realized what a versatile vegetable it is. I can see Roasted Eggplant Spaghetti with Miso Brown Butter Sauce in my immediate future. The title alone has me intrigued. (Cookie and Kate)

Currently, I’m working on a pumpkin shortbread cookie, which is awesome if you want something with a nice crunch. Although, most of the time I want a soft cookie that I can really sink my teeth into: Soft Glazed Pumpkin Sugar Cookie. (Lauren’s Latest)

Not sure why I haven’t posted about this Pumpkin Bread. I’ve been eating it every day for breakfast for the last week. Seriously, just make it. (Alexandra’s Kitchen)

How bad do I want to make this skull art for Halloween? Pretty freakin’ bad. (A Beautiful Mess) I could add it to my collection of DIY Halloween stuff. Last year, I made this bomb-ass wreath. (The Art of Doing Stuff)

Feeling pretty good, y’all. Fall is finally here (re: thank goodness) and I couldn’t keep myself from playing hookie today. I’ve got cool weather, hot tea and Jack Skellington slippers on my feet. Color me thankful for the little things in life.

Have a great weekend!

P.S. If you can, check out Wait Until Dark at the Geffen Playhouse. I enjoyed watching it live, but nobody’s as scary as Alan Arkin playing the role of Roat. The show runs until November 17th.

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
Orson Welles

(photo credit: David Mayerhofer)

Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake & a Surpise Party

Listen up, everybody! The rumors are true. I’m throwing a surprise party and everyone’s invited. For whom, you ask? This grande soiree is for Margaret Fox.

I mean…I don’t know her personally, but what the hell? If she’s responsible for one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever made, then she deserves a vat of bourbon and a chocolate cake. One that she doesn’t have to bake herself, of course.

I spotted the recipe for Margaret Fox’s Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake on Food52. Immediately, I knew that it was something I had to make and probably very soon. One of the great things about this recipe is its simplicity. If you’re a baker, you probably have everything you need on hand. There will be no trips to the market because your boyfriend finished the eggs this morn. And don’t worry if your milk has gone south; you won’t need it, this go ’round. You’re good. Sit back and relax. You’ve got this.

You can file this recipe under quick. Well, not as quick as Usain Bolt, but quick nonetheless. Quick as in: your batter has come together, you’ve placed it in the pan and it’s all set to go, but your oven hasn’t preheated yet. What? Yeah, this recipe is no joke. Just think of all the things you can do with that extra time. You could wash all the dirty dishes before you even open your oven door. Now, I’m not telling you to do that, I’m just saying it’s a possibility.

Full disclosure: if you’re looking for a super-chocolatey cake, I’d give this one a pass. However, it’s super moist, pairs well with a straightforward icing and will be ready in 45 minutes-start to finish. I went with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar which made the preparation even quicker. As a result, I had just enough time to wrap Margaret Fox’s gift. I hope she likes Chia Pets.

Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe

Recipe Slightly adapted from Food52

Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

45 mins

Author: Margaret Fox

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1½ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons neutral oil (like corn, canola, or vegetable)
1 cup cold water
1½ teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cider or white vinegar
Confectioners' sugar (optional, for dusting)

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350° F.
Mix together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Sift. In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar.
Whisk together the wet and dry mixtures. If lumpy, whisk until smooth.
Pour into a greased and floured 9-inch round cake pan. (I used an 8-inch which I lined with a greased aluminum foil round)
Tap the edge of the pan against the edge of the counter, or drop from 6 inches to the counter several times to pop air bubbles.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top springs back when pressed gently. (My 8-inch cake needed the full 30 minutes)
Cool before removing from the pan and dusting with confectioners' sugar, or frosting if desired.

Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake Photo Notes

After being away from the studio for a few weeks due to illness, it was good to be back in the saddle. Unfortunately, I share a studio with a couple of fashion photographers and I’m the Felix Unger of our crew. Needless to say, the studio was in rough shape. Models are some of the messiest people on earth, so this ended up being more of a studio decontamination than photo shoot.

Gameplan

This was going to be pretty simple. I wanted to replicate window light with a bit of on-axis fill. The large simulated window would hopefully reduce the specularity created by the shiny surface of the easy vegan chocolate cake.

Lighting

I setup a light panel made up of 400 leelux as my main light 45 degrees behind the cake and used a silver umbrella for on-axis fill. I also added a white bounce card opposite the main light. I dialed in the exposure with my trusty Sekonic L-758dr and everything went according to plan.

Wrap-up

The real challenge wasn’t the lighting but the styling. A round dark cake without frosting isn’t the most photogenic object, so I decided to do something graphic and focus on the shape from above. To finish off the shoot, Mondo cut the cake and we did the traditional commercial shot with a slice on a plate. Overall, it was a pretty easy shoot with a clean studio as the payoff.

Set Shot

Tech Notes

Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: Tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Strobes: White Lightning x1600
Tripod: Manfrotto
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 48mm
Shutter: 125
Aperture: f/11

All Things Thursday: Golden Poop Edition

Guten Tag, my friends!

Welcome to All Things Thursday! I hope your week is treating you well. Mine could be better as the dman is suffering from some kinda ‘terminator’ virus-that just won’t quit. Most of my time is spent trying to stay hydrated and deflecting his germs.

Yes, it has toilet seats in the dining area. Yes, it serves Golden Poop. Yes, it’s bathroom-themed restaurant. How long before this place takes a dump? Sorry guys, I couldn’t help it. (Eater)

While bouncing around Stumbleupon this week I saw the most amazing dancer. I’m serious! When I watched it my jaw dropped…for realsies. Please take a look at this video and see if you feel the same. (Stumbleupon)

So many pumpkin recipes to choose from…where do I begin? In my humble opinion you can never go wrong with dip. Make it a spicy dip and that’s even better. But a spicy pumpkin dip? You’ve got me. Bonus, I have two pumpkin hummus options: Savory and Roasted Garlic and Rosemary. I just love October. (Spoon Fork Bacon and Pinch of Yum, respectively)

It’s so hard to pass up french fries; but what if there was decent alternative? I’m not sure if there is but I’d like to give these Carrot Fries a try. If they’re crispy, they’ll be my new favorite thing. (JChong Studio)

Must get doughnut pan so I can bake these: Vegan Chocolate Pistachio Donuts. (The Sweet Life)

Check out this recipe for Sirarcha Sesame Ginger Popcorn. Spicy popcorn? Yes, please. I’m thinking about making a sweet version. (Bake Your Day)

Usually, I’m not a scone person but I’ll make an exception for these: Starbucks Clone Pumpkin Scones. (Iowa Girl Eats)

I’m pretty excited as my friend and I are going to see a stage production of Wait Until Dark at the Geffen Playhouse tonight. Tune in next week for my extremely unofficial review.

Until we meet again, my friends.

P.S. Can you tell I’m obsessed with Bella Looma Scarves? I’ve been yearning for some chilly weather. Don’t be elusive, Fall…sit down and stay a while.

Probably one of the most private things in the world is an egg until it is broken.
M. F. K. Fisher

(photo credit: David Mayerhofer)

All Things Thursday: R. Kelly Edition

Happy All Things Thursday, y’all!

I’m excited! Why? Well, it’s October…the weather finally cooled off enough so I can rock my Sons of Anarchy hoodie. My favorite weather? Any weather where I can don a sweatshirt…preferably one that promotes the likes of Jax Teller.

You’ll all be happy to know that R. Kelly has a new album coming out. This masterpiece is entitled “Black Panties”. I have three words for you Mr. Kelly…just stop it!

Beautiful pics of baked doughnuts have been floating around the internet for ages, but somehow I’ve been immune. As of yet, I don’t own a doughnut pan, but now I have to get one. Pumpkin + Maple + Cinnamon = get in my belly. (Top With Cinnamon)

Creamy Parmesan Polenta. I’ll write that again. Creamy Parmesan Polenta. C’mon! Guess what I’ll be eating during my next free afternoon? (Daydream Kitchen)

I don’t cook shrimp enough(read: never). When I do get the urge, I’ll head straight for Almond Butter Soba Noodles with Garlic Shrimp. (Spoon Fork Bacon)

How much do I love peanut butter? Infinity? No, that won’t do. Infinity times infinity? Yeah, that sounds about right. So, I was excited to see this rating of Reese’s candies. I agree with their #1 choice, but in my book, Nutrageous will always rate higher than Reese’s Pieces. Sorry, E.T.. (Huffington Post)

Everyone should have a one-bowl recipe for chocolate cake. Minimal mess and mocha buttercream? Feels like this recipe was created especially for me. (Hummingbird High)

Right about now, it’s time for some hot and sour soup. The dman’s gotta cold and I’m not trying to get sick.

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.
Michael J Fox

(photo credit: David Mayerhofer)

All Things Thursday: 3rd Edition

Good Evening!

It’s All Things Thursday…Thursday night, actually.

Yeah, I’m a little on the late-freight this week. It happens. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

So…recently, Sinead O’Connor wrote an open letter to Miley Cyrus where she admonished the young lady(?) about the dangers of making a name for herself through shock value. Really, Sinead? Aren’t you one who ripped up a picture of the pope on SNL? Because I’m pretty sure that was you.

Apparently, there’s a new baking tool out there called the Nibble Pan. It has a tiny side cup that cooks a sample of your cake. It would seem that the tiny part would cook faster, but I could be wrong. Kinda waiting for the first review from Amazon to see what the people think.

My love of peanut butter knows no bounds. Best believe I need the Peanut Butter Comfort cookbook. It contains virtually ever kind of peanut butter recipe out there! Hint: my birthday is in August.

October is here…which means Fall…which means bring on the pumpkin. Could someone make Joy the Baker’s Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts for me? Extra maple glaze, please! I would be ever so grateful.

That’s all for tonight, friends. Parks and Recreation is calling my name.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
Barbara Johnson

(photo credit: David Mayerhofer)