White Grapefruit & Avocado Salad

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

Ever since I acquired an immersion blender I've been a little obsessed with emulsifying anything. Foam. Check. Dressings. Check. Tofu + anything. Hey, why not?
This is how this recipe was born.

Kale & Bok Choy Chips

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

Do people ever recommend a movie to you that is so out of what you'd ever be interested in that you're like "Yeaahhh, I'll check it out" fully knowing that you never will?

That's how I used to feel about kale.

So here's the thing. Anyone that tells you kale chips taste like potato chips are lying. Or they've never had a Dorito. Both no-no's in my book. Don't lie to me about what healthy food tastes like, you're just gonna get my hopes up and make me go on a Taco Bell bender. Kale chips taste more like crispy brussel sprouts. I've lost you. Keep reading. You can do it. The beautiful thing about kale chips though, is that you can mask that flavor and still end up with a healthy, semi-good tasting "chip."

Raw Coconut Lime Tart

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

As I mentioned last week, I'm on a big time diet. I wanted to make something for breakfast that felt like a treat to eat. It wasn't long into my brainstorming that I remembered Danny, a client of mine. Danny and his wife have a raw restaurant in my hometown. I shot a book cover for them last summer and while waiting for the setup he insisted on feeding me pie. The pie he said, is dessert you can have for dinner. On their menu they even encourage parents to let their kids order dessert as an entree because it's that good for you. There's also many weight loss stories on their website that I've been inspired by so I'm trying to incorporate more raw food into my meatless days.

Sweet & Spicy Spreadable Fruits

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

I don't know about you, but I am a bread & butter ahaulic. I typically make a loaf of bread every other day. Yesterday, if you can believe it, I actually made two.

If I'm home during the day I'll have a piece for lunch, and one with dinner. I'll dip it in oil or cover it in Plugra butter. It's my little slice of foodie heaven. But, since I have a goal to lose 30lbs by June 18th, I realized that's a whole lot of bread and butter. I'm trying to be realistic with this diet, I know there is no chance I'll ever give up bread, I am half French afterall, but the butter, I could go without.

 I decided to make some spreads yesterday that I could use instead.

These are so easy, from start to finish it took about five minutes each.

Chilled Peach Soup & A Literature Lesson

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

I am going to make up a story about a famous dead author.

Last summer, Flannery O'Connor invited me to visit her in Savannah. I know. I was as shocked as you are. I know she's not seeing that many guests these days.

You see, I had sent her a letter earlier that year asking for her thoughts on the loose film adaptation of my favorite work of hers, Good Country People. I wasn't a fan of O Brother, Where Art Thou? I felt like the Coen brothers took a great story, picked out a few pieces, and made it into nihilistic pop commentary on the depression. Flannery however, was known for her affection for Southern Gothic literature, so maybe, she did like it. Maybe she even loved it. I was itching to know.

Thai Tofu Wontons & A Photography Giveaway

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

Sometime around 2003 I went to San Diego with some of my friends from my college dorm. Our friend, Gretchen's family lived there and she spent a week teaching us Midwestern girls about Californian food. Other than the Carne Asada Burrito that I still hold in the Top 10 best things I've ever eaten category, the other big thing I got from that trip was P.F. Changs.

Since I have never been a fan of Chinese food, I let Gretchen do the ordering. She ordered the Chicken Lettuce Wraps along with a few other things, but it was those wraps that started my obsession with going to restaurants and tasting everything I possibly could in a dish, then trying to recreate it at home.

Let's Talk About Photographic Copyrights

Before you read any of this I want to make it clear that I am not a copyright lawyer. I am not any type of lawyer. I am only sharing my experiences and what I've learned as a professional photographer who has spoken to attorneys on this matter. As always, you should research this subject on your own and/or seek your own legal council if you have questions. 


I'm relatively new to the blogging world, and by relatively, I mean really, really new. I do have four years of experience as a professional photographer under my belt, for both newspapers and contract work though. And if there's anything I've learned that a photographer must know- besides how to use light, it's that you absolutely must know how copyrights work. You have to know how to protect work, or else, what are you working for?

Finding My Voice

© 2012 Jessie Kaufman

This morning the sunlight woke me instead of the alarm clock. 


I knew it was going to be a good day. So good that I didn't even need coffee. 


There's been something big simmering in my life lately. I just recently owned it and gave it a voice. And today there was more Vitamin D induced clarity. 


I've been reading a lot of different food blogs lately trying to find my voice. Or 'a' voice, I should say. One that I could admire. 


What I've noticed is those that have the voice that I'm after are all mothers. They're mothers that still find the time to use fancy adjectives and take pretty photos on their patio while their toddler is at preschool. They cook things like spaghetti tacos and chicken fried steak. They make cookies. And they post pictures of their children. Lots of pictures.