It's music Mondays

It's officially the first Music Monday on my blog!  I often get asked, what I'm listening to right now and what kind of music I like to work too in the kitchen.  To be honest, my musical taste is scattered across the board like a set of un-played checkers.  Bottom line, I LOVE music!

Every Monday I will be posting some of my favorite music old and new, albums, playlists, favorite songs, concert reviews and more.  Music is a huge inspiration to me in a lot of ways.  It can shift my mood immediately, make me dance, stimulate a memory, give me that extra boost of energy I need in the kitchen when pulling all nighters for catering events and the list goes on.

Here are a few of the albums I'll have on heavy rotation this week while pulling 16 hour days working on my kickstarter campaign.  I encourage you to find at least one new album this week that puts a smile on your face and makes your body move.  Even if it's just a steady head bob!  Have a FANTASTIC + WILD week.  First up but in no particular order:

American pop alternative rock band, Polica just released their sophomore album Shulasmith.  Its haunting melodies mixed with both electronic and R&B elements is on repeat as I write this.  It's a good album to have a deep intimate conversation too.

New Zealand singer-songer Lorde just released her first album Pure Heroine.  It's a fun electro-pop album that will 

having you bobbing your head

Thom Yorke from Radiohead and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers collaborated to create the experimental rock band Atoms for Peace and released their first album AMOK earlier this year.  This is a good album to get lost in and make imaginative pieces of art too.

Chrvches a Scottish snythpop band just released their first album The bones of what you believe.  Up beat, danceable with a touch of that 80's synth.  Can't help but blast this one in the car 

English born James Blake released his sophomore album Overgrown earlier this year and I'm pretty sure he has the ability to make women melt the moment he opens his mouth with his passionate, sultry voice.  Blake mixes the perfect blend of R&B with electronica.  This album has some serious soul.  

New York based duo Ms Mr released their debut album Secondhand Rapture earlier this year.  This mysterious, ethereal pop album is one of my favorites of the year.  

French duo Daft Punk has been pumping out dance beats for last 20 years.  Their new album Random Access Memories is one I am very excited about!  It's feel good disco infused electronic sound will have you dancing around the house and singing loud.

American artist Washed Out recently released his sophomore album Paracosm.  This album is composed of dreamy dance beats that float you away to a tropical island where you'll be invited to a chillwave dance party and swim in the ocean amongst phosphorescence.  Okay now I'm just dreaming up amazing scenarios.  But seriously, this is a great album!!

Pumpkin seed pesto pasta

I love that Fall is here but I have to admit, I'm still holding onto a little piece of Summer.  The golden autumn leaves of the Northwest covering my once mowed Kelly green grass is a sign of nature moving into hibernation mode and preparing for the gloomy, brisk winter months ahead.  

I am looking forward to the bounty of fresh root vegetables, squash and winter fruits that are now making an appearance in markets, yet I still long for local fresh picked herbs,  fragrant heirloom tomatoes, berries and crisp summer veggies that packed my fridge with a rainbow of colors this Summer.  

To satisfy my appetite for both seasons, I decided to make this pesto recipe using raw pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts for a fall element and fresh basil for a taste of Summer. The pesto recipe tastes a little salty when sampled on its own, however, tossed with the kelp noodles, the flavors will mellow and the noodles will soften to perfection.  The following recipe is:

 VEGAN + RAW + GLUTEN FREE + GRAIN FREE + SOY FREE + NUT FREE

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO PASTA

(Serves 4)

Pasta

2-12 ounce packs Sea Tangle kelp noodles, drained, rinsed and patted dry

Pesto

3 cups fresh basil, stems removed, tightly packed
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, soaked 2 hours, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup virgin expeller pressed olive oil
1/4 cup fresh parsley, stems removed, tightly packed
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
3/4 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, ground

Make Pesto

1.  Add basil, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, parsley, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper to food processor.  Pulse for about 30 seconds or until pumpkin seeds are broken down and pesto is slightly chunky. 

Assemble

1.  Place kelp noodles in large bowl.  Add pesto and toss, coating noodles evenly.  If you want noodles that are not as crunchy, cover pesto noodles and place in refrigerator for 2-4 hours.  The salt from the sauce will soften the noodles. 
2.  Divide pesto pasta onto serving dishes of choice. Serve at room temperature or place in dehydrator at 115 degrees for 1 hour to warm.  Enjoy!
  

Kickstarter campaign

I am so excited to announce that last night I launched my first Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for printing my raw food recipe book titled Wild Plate.  Already at $900!! Thank you to all that have generously backed my project.

For those of you who haven't heard of Kickstarter it's a crowd funding site where project creators set a funding goal and deadline. If people like a project, they can pledge money to make it happen and in turn receive tangible rewards as well as one-of-kind experiences.  Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing.  Projects must reach their funding goals to receive any money.  Backers won't be charged anything until the project has met its goal and is complete. 


This is your chance to order my book at retail, get limited edition copies, BAGGU custom grocery bags, BAGGU custom recycled canvas totes and more before every things released to the public and sells out.  And FREE SHIPPING!!! They're are other rewards as well including, consultations, classes, catered dinner events, exclusive invitations to the launch parties and more.  Please check out my page and get your first edition books before they're all gone!! 


http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/436582840/wild-plate-is-a-creative-culinary-adventure-in-the