Edible Art: Ad Tempus

I’m always on the lookout for art projects that perfectly capture the whole design and dessert aesthetic, so I was thrilled to hear from recent Parsons graduate Henry Richmond V. Young about his project Ad Tempus. A collaborative effort between Young and Chef Veronica Duboise, the series plays off the symbiotic relationship between food, presentation, and diner. During a three-course dessert tasting, Young combines creative flavors and unusual serving pieces to create a dining experience that is both artistic and interactive. The dishes are so beautiful and I love that every piece is named after a different adventurer in history. It’s a very modern take on dessert. See below for a more complete description on how each dessert works.

1. Toast is an assembly of pain perdu, maple gelée, and pamplemousse sorbet concealed under a crust of white chocolate to be excavated timidly by the diner. (Served on the Carter, named after famed archaeologist.)

2. Milk/Tea is a "soup" course that is created by the performance of two state changes: hot rose milk will be poured over to dissolve a lemon sugar dome to later melt the chrysanthemum sorbet served with pomegranate seeds. (Served on the Hillary, named after famed climber and explorer.)

3. Crémeux is a quasi-deconstructed crème brûlée: pistachio crémeux with chocolate mousse guarded underneath a shield of a clear vanilla sugar tuille to be hacked by the diner. (Served on the Geronimo, named after the fearless Apache Warrior Chief.)

(Still life photography by Martin Seck)

Sweet Testing: Pumpkin and Bee Pollen Cake

I almost didn’t make this cake. I went back and forth, and back and forth, over and over and over again. Yes! No. Yes! No. It went on like this for days! All because I couldn’t decide whether bee pollen + cake was a good combination! You see, this is the first bee pollen recipe that I have ever come across and, at first, I couldn’t wait to try it! Then, after doing a bit of research, I discovered that some people have extreme reactions to bee pollen supplements. Oh, no! What if someone has to be rushed to the hospital after eating my cake! None of party guests seemed all that concerned about bee pollen side effects, though, so, in the end, I finally decided that I would go ahead and make the cake, and I’m sooo glad that I did. This is a really tasty cake. Really. The coconut and the pumpkin go really well together and the date crust is simply wonderful! It’s also very easy to assemble and it is, visually speaking, so bright and sunny that you’ll feel better just by looking at! As far as the bee pollen is concerned, I don’t really think it’s a necessary ingredient, although the creator of this recipe, artist Kirra Jamison, considers it to be an essential element. Perhaps, I just didn’t use it correctly. It makes a good story, but it didn’t add much in my opinion. If you do use it, you may want to warn your guests beforehand, in case they are allergic to bees or have problems with asthma. You can find the complete recipe after the jump.

Edible Art: Sweet Veggies

There is something a little bit naughty about these candied vegetable photographs by Amsterdam-based photographer Wendy van Santen and art director Hans Bolleurs. They definitely conjure up images of childhood and the ongoing struggle to get kids to eat their veggies. I think we can all agree that more children would be eating their vegetables if they looked like these colorful creations. Personally, I prefer my vegetables to be a little less sugary, but they certainly are fun to look at! ~Erin

Sweet Testing: Lemon-Almond Meringue Tarts

I’ve been wanting to make these lemon tarts ever since I bought the first Baked cookbook, Baked: New Frontiers in Baking, back in 2008. The tarts were featured on the cover of that book, and they looked, well, they looked *amazing*! I immediately bought some tartlet pans on Ebay in preparation, but, somehow, I never got around to making these lovely tarts until recently. I have to say, I was quite pleased with how they turned out. These little tarts are definitely a feast for the eyes, like tiny dishes of sunshine and a perfect dessert for summer! If I made them again, though, I’d make one little change. The tarts seemed a teeny, tiny bit, uhhh…tart, to me, although others told me that they were perfect. I tend to be my own worst critic, so I’m not sure if I would have noticed it if someone else had been doing the baking. It could have been my imagination. I would probably try using Meyer lemons in the future, though, which are a little less tart than regular lemons. Other than that, these were a delightful change from my usual baking repertoire. Quite fun to make…and eat!

You can find the complete Lemon-Almond Meringue Tarts recipe after the jump.

Edible Art: Padded Cell

Padded cell days. We’ve all had them. You know those days when you get so frustrated/upset/crazy that you want to pull your hair out or bang your head against a wall? Now imagine that instead of a traditional padded cell, you find yourself resting inside a room entirely covered by cotton candy. Feel the soft, pink fluff against your skin. Smell the sweet, intoxicating smell of spun sugar. Ahhh…peace. Actually, in reality, a cotton candy cell isn’t quite as wonderful as it might sound. All those creepy, horror movie connotations are still there, but with a bit of fun thrown in. The cell, which was created by artist Jennifer Rubell for the Performa Arts' Red Party, is a freestanding structure that contains one door and one window. The door to the cell was opened at 9pm, but, prior to the big reveal, partygoers could peak through the window, viewing the interior. According to Rubell, the cell “acts as an escape” from the party, which is also “confining, threatening, and claustrophobic,” in its own way. “It is an object that addresses the dark side of pleasure, the price of pleasure, the possibility that pleasure is its own punishment.” ~Erin

Printmeneer Cookie Cutters

As much as I love cookie cutters, I do get a little bored with the more traditional shapes. Everyone has them in their cupboard: the heart, the bell, the star. They’re fine when you’re a kid, but as an adult I really appreciate a cutter that has a bit more pizzazz, one that's unique and not every day. These cutters from Dutch company Printmeneer definitely fit that bill. Created using a 3D printer, the cutters are fun and whimsical and unusual. In their Etsy shop, you will find everything from cutters inspired by Piet Mondrian to cutters shaped like Volvos, to chevron like zig-zag cutters. So fun! For more info on Printmeneer and to shop online, click here. ~Erin