Now, I’m excited to introduce our special guest, food and beverage photographer Matthew Noel.
Matthew Noel, food and beverage photographer
Matthew Noel is the owner of Finding Flavors, a culinary media production company. There he specializes in styling, photographing, and videoing food related products for advertising and marketing. Matthew is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) food photographers and stylists section and National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). In 2008 he won the prestigious “People’s Choice” award from IACP. He is also a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This led to him beta-testing the last 2 versions of Adobe Lightroom and 3 versions of Adobe Photoshop. Matthew Noel is a graduate of the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. He received a Bachelor of Science in culinary arts and began his journey with various forms of food media. Through his directing, cinematography, and editing Nicholls State University recently won gold in the 27th annual educational advertising awards in Television Advertising / Series for “In a Class of Its Own.” Along with all of the commercial work, Matthew is also the creative director and photographer for the award winning Edible New Orleans Magazine.
Here are some pictures from Matthew Noel’s trip to Peru. I hope you enjoy them!
Matthew Noel taking photos in Peru (courtesy of Matthew Noel)
Peruvian dish (courtesy of Matthew Noel)
Peruvian food (courtesy of Matthew Noel)
(courtesy of Matthew Noel)
Gorgeous Peruvian view (courtesy of Matthew Noel)
Beautiful Peruvian sunset (courtesy of Matthew Noel)
“A Tisket A Tasket What’s Inside My Basket?”
Today’s secret ingredient is Jalapeño.
Here is a recipe for my “Sweet Potato and Jalapeño Galettes.” These Galettes are easy to make, but the flavors are so delicious with the contrasting sweet and spicy.
Sweet Potato and Jalapeño Galettes
Ingredients:
1 sweet potato, peeled and grated
1 large new potato, grated
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and minced
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp. fresh oregano
1/4 c. onion, minced
1 lg. clove garlic, grated
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. olive oil
Directions:
Place grated potato on a plate and microwave for three minutes. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Form small patties. In a large nonstick pan, over medium heat, heat olive oil. Fry galettes on both sides until golden brown. Makes 4-6 patties.
“Figure Out This Food!”
I have a game on my Facebook page called “Figure Out This Food.” I post a close-up of a food item and the first three guesses get a shout-out here. Congratulations to Susan Fischer Carriere, Rachel Moye, and Tracey Brown for guessing “Crème Brûlée.”
Crème Brûlée
“Snacktivity Time”
It’s Snacktivity Time! Here, I give you fun easy breezy snack ideas. Today’s Snacktivity is… “Sesame Snow Peas.” These snow peas are a quick fix that are also pretty healthy.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1 lb. fresh snow peas
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. soy sauce
Toasted sesame seeds
Directions:
In a wok, heat sesame oil. Stir fry snow peas, garlic, ground ginger, and soy sauce. When peas are to desired tenderness, toss in toasted sesame seeds. Serves 4-6.
“Creative Cuisine”
This is a recipe for my “Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pork Skewers.” I love the combination of the yummy pineapple and pork together.
Ingredients:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. chili sauce
1 c. pineapple juice
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 lb. pork tenderloin, cubed into skewer sizes
1 can pineapple chunks
Directions:
Mix brown sugar, chili sauce, pineapple juice, and soy sauce. Marinate pork in mixture for 30 minutes. Place pork and pineapple on bamboo skewers. (Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes prior.) Grill skewers on all sides being sure to turn skewers to cook on all sides. Serves 4.
“Kitchen Crafts!”
Here is a fun kitchen-related craft. Today’s kitchen craft is how to make “Chalkboard Garden Sticks.”
Supplies:
Newspaper
Paint stir sticks
Chalkboard paint
Paintbrush
Chalk or chalk pen
Instructions:
Step 1: Place some newspaper on a table and lay out the stir sticks.
Step 2: Paint the stir stick on one side with chalkboard paint. Let it dry.
Step 3: Turn the stir stick over and repeat Step 2.
Step 4: Write the names of your plants with chalk and place in the garden.
That’s all for this week!
Bon Appetit,
Kid Chef Eliana
