When you’re invited to an afternoon with Cristina Ferrare and Joy the Baker at the studio/kitchen of Diane Cu and Todd Porter – the White on Rice Couple – co-hosted by Kitchen Aid, you know you’re in for a deliciously fun time! Throw in meeting many of the talented and creative food bloggers from LA, San Diego, and Orange County that I’ve only known online and the result is a truly memorable experience of mixing, mingling, and munching.
Mixing and mingling were fueled with mimosas and fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juice delivered with lightning speed at the hands of @JenJenK and Diane and the Kitchen Aid juicer.
Todd and Diane brought tears to our eyes and inspiration in our hearts while sharing their journey in food and photography through photos, video and their deeply personal, heartfelt stories. The team posed for pictures before Cristina’s cooking demonstration, pictured above from left to right: Todd Porter, Joy the Baker, Cristina Ferrare, Diane Cu, Rachel Barbarotta, and Alex Ferrare.
Everyone that meets Cristina must fall in love with her – she’s approachable, friendly, and down-to-earth, and her daughter Alex is the same way. Being a genuine and fun person who’s also a great cook must run in the family! Cristina prepared a simple, but impressive appetizer of thinly sliced baked potatoes she calls “potato plates” topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and herbs, and Alex put the finishing touches on this beautiful, light and healthy cucumber and zucchini salad. Cristina makes this salad often especially in the summer months when there is an over abundance of cucumbers, zucchini and fresh herbs. “It’s light and full of fresh flavor; it’s also very beautiful and appetizing to look at when presented this way. I love when food not only taste great but looks beautiful and has eye appeal. After all you eat with your eyes first!” Both recipes are in Cristina’s cookbook Big Bowl of Love published last year by Sterling Publishing Co. and including the stunning food photography of Todd and Diane.
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oilcucumber and zucchini carpaccio
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian parsley
- 2 zucchini sliced paper-thin
- 2 cucumbers sliced paper-thin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted walnuts
- Freshly cracked pepper
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In a glass bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mint, dill, and parsley. Set aside.
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Slice the vegetables on a mandolin or a vegetable slicer that can slice paper-thin. Arrange the zucchini and cucumbers alternately on a large platter. Sprinkle lightly all over with kosher salt. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette over the top, add the crumbled feta, and sprinkle with walnuts and cracked pepper to taste.
*Omit for low sodium diet
If youβre not going to use the salad right away, do not add the vinaigrette; instead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Recipe from Big Bowl of Love by Cristina Ferrare
Unfortunately, I had to leave to meet the Time Warner cable guy; all my efforts to restore my internet connection at home had failed and two days without internet on my desktop took precedence over cupcakes, so I missed Joy’s demonstration on how to make marshmallow meringue! But I did get to talk to Joy and have her sign my copy of her new book Joy the Baker Cookbook and she definitely makes baking a joy, check out the video to see for yourself. Thanks to all the amazing bloggers real-time Instagram and Twitter updates, it was if I was there oohing and aahing and swooning over those meringue topped cupcakes π And you can too, courtesy of my friend Shelby Barone’s video and photo included here.
The day ended with a raffle of Kitchen Aid goodies and, WAIT…. my name was drawn as the winner of the grand prize: the new 7 Qt. Kitchen Aid stand mixer in Candy Apple Red, so totally HOT and my favorite color! I found out on Twitter – how awesome is that π And, my internet was up and running! My plans for this beauty: buy the grinder attachment and make homemade sausage – one of the foods we’ve sorely missed since hubs low-sodium mandate.
Thanks again to Todd, Diane, Cristina, Joy, and Kitchen Aid for an exceptionally amazing day ♥
Erin
What a great experience! Looks like so much fun; too bad you had to leave early π
Priscilla
Yes, it’s a bummer when you have to leave the party early, but I had a great time while I was there!
Frieda
You lucky duck! You will love your new mixer ~ I know I love mine! The 7 qt holds a TON and is so quiet. Congrats!
Priscilla
Now I definitely have to get better at making bread! Up to this point, I haven’t been very successful – I’ll be visiting your site looking for recipes that work π
Jennifer (Delicieux)
Looks like a wonderful experience, especially meeting such esteemed, experienced and passionate bloggers. What a wonderful way to spend a day. Congratulations on your win! I have the Candy Apple artisan mixer, which I absolutely adore.
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies)
Lucky you! That is one sexy stand mixer, but even better, what a fun time you spent with the group. Maybe one day I’ll get to meet you in person. π
Priscilla
Yes, it is! Jean, I’m definitely coming to the Bay Area some day just to meet you, Lisa, Liren, Gina, Patty, et al.
Terra
Oh wow, what a beautiful experience, and love that you had the opportunity to meet Joy The Baker!!! AND SQUEEEEE you won the Kitchenaid? That ROCKS:-) Hugs, Terra
Priscilla
The whole day rocked and Joy is as sweet as her delectable desserts!
Lana
Great recap, Priscilla! It was such a wonderful event and I really enjoyed every moment of it. It was good seeing you there – I just wish you could have stayed so that I could see you jump up and down for winning the KitchenAid:) And red is my favorite color, too!
Priscilla
Thx, Lana. I know – my being in abstentia caused everyone to miss a great photo opportunity! But saved me from embarrassing photos being published on the web π
Jamie
Oooh an event like that with both you and Lana? What fun! And congratulations on winning that baby! Lucky you!
Lisa
Oh, I wish I lived in SoCal and could have attended, but thank you for posting the video! I also prefer swiss meringue over italian for those very reasons. Congrats on winning that beautiful KA mixer!!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
What a fun time with cool food bloggers! I enjoyed watching the video, too. First time seeing Joy speaking and in action! Congrats on winning the Kitchen Aid!! π
patty
Congrats on that apple red Kitchen Aid, wow! Your lucky day;-)
I pinned your salad recipe- that looks so good to me, just love all the herbs!
Lora @cakeduchess
Looks like this was an amazing day. and congrats on winning!! FANTASTIC:)Your carpaccio is so fresh and healthy. I pinned it earlier and was craving it for lunch!:)xx
Angie@Angie's Recipes
How cool!
Salad looks terrific!
angela@spinachtiger
How much I would have loved to be you that day, except I wanted to see those cupcakes. haha I need the grinder attachment too. I so much want to make homemade sausage.
Magic of Spice
How fun! And congrats on your win…wow, that is one sexy mixer π
Kiri W.
Wow, what a cool event! π I bet you had a blast. That mixer is amazing, go you!
Kim
Great to see you, as always! And totally jealous you won the mixer. π
Glad the Internet is back up and running, too!
[K]
Lori Lynn
Congrats on the mixer! YAY!
Sounds like a delightful afternoon.
LL
Liz
SO much fun! Lucky you~