Drop dead gorgeous
I'm dying to know
I nearly died of embarrassment
To die for
I'm dying to go on holiday, give up work, move house, get married, whatever.
I don't think so.
No one ever died because they were attractive.
No one died because they didn't know the latest gossip.
No one ever died of embarrassment.
Did you die when you ate that creme brulee, chocolate cake or drank vintage champagne?
.............and no one ever, ever died because they didn't go on holiday, continued to work, stayed in the same house, didn't get married, or whatever.
People die from accidents, heart attacks, any number of diseases like liver disease or kidney disease. Some people die because they are born into poverty in a third world country and some people die in war.
Then there are those who die from cancer. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends, work colleagues, nieghbours.
Happily there are also those who beat cancer. The ones who discover it early. And that is the secret to beating cancer - early detection. Which is why they have tests like mammographies, PAP smears, colonoscopies, PSA's, skin and mole checks. If you have a history of cancer in your family these checks are even more important. Discuss cancer screening with your doctor next time you visit. It could save your life.
I would like to thank the 179 fabulous bloggers who cared enough to participate in LiveSTRONG With A Taste Of Yellow - 2008. Thank you for sharing your stories. I cried, I laughed and I rejoiced at the stories you shared. I'm honoured some of you chose to share your very personal stories with me via email, stories too painful to share with the world.
While I was writing the round up I received a call to tell me a friend had lost her battle with cancer. There was a big difference in our ages and until we were both diagnosed with cancer we weren't close. Our friendship developed as we shared our cancer journey. Some of our conversations were about death and our theories on an after life. Those around us found it hard to comprehend how easily we talked about death. How we could laugh about how we wanted to look in our coffins. For her it was to be no make up at all , for me it is to be no rosy cheeks or red lipstick. She'd chosen her outfit already - something simple. I'm in no hurry to choose my outfit. I'm thinking something white and angelic :) No harm in looking the part. Don't be shocked when your loved ones use humour to talk about their cancer - it helps us overcome our fears.
As much as I use humour to talk about my cancer, I no longer use the expressions - drop dead gorgeous, I'm dying to know, this chocolate is to die for, I'm dying to go on holiday, whatever.
I'd like to dedicate A Taste Of Yellow 2008 to my friend Augusta . A remarkable woman with a great sense of humour, she enjoyed whiskey, Scotch Finger biscuits, good cheese and semillon wine.
Because there were so many entries I have split it into two posts. There will be a link to the second part at the end of this post. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in LiveSTRONG With A Taste Of Yellow 2008. The following is in no particular order apart from entries with the wristband being featured first.
Lynn in Augusta Gorgia at Cafe Lynnylu persuaded her husband Alex to pose for her entry in the photo competition. I'm sure he was rewarded with the bowl of this delicious Lemon Ice Cream with Lemon Curd Swirl.
Some days I achieve very little (apart from a lot of laughter) when I spend far too much time on line chatting with Bron Marshall back in New Zealand. This Yellow Patty Pan Squash with Lemon and Currant Quinoa is just one of her many brilliant creations.
Bev at Yummy In My Tummy in Kortenaken, Belgium made Lemon and Ginger Muffins in honour of her grandfather . Her handsome, smiling grandfather lost his battle with cancer only four years ago when he was just 68 years of age.
Laurie from Astoria, New York with the delightful blog name Heaven is Chocolate, Cheese and Carbs has made these Sunny Caramel Cupcakes decoareted with yellow and white fondant.
Chris at Mele Cotte runs another cancer themed event Cooking To Combat Cancer. She honours her gran who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer with a Mango Pepper Salsa.
If Helene that lovely French Tartelette in the US comes to visit me I would hope she would pack her suitcase full of macarons. She makes the most delicious sounding (and looking) ones I've ever seen. Today she serves them in her Tropical Fruit Verrine with Peach Macarons. How good does that sound!
Kalyn you all know from Kalyn's Kitchen in Salt Lake City said this about her Chipotle-Lime Deviled Eggs - these deviled eggs were so good, I ate the ones in the photo before the pictures had even loaded into my computer. She had me craving deviled eggs when I read the post.
I decided to put these two dishes together as they both involve eggs but are totally different, which is the beauty of food blogging. I love how we see things differently and share our ideas. These Ouefs Mayonnaise are a favourite of Fred's and after previous mayonnaise attempts everything finally came together and Sam at Becks and Posh in San Francisco was happy with her home made mayonnaise.
Recently I've been on a similar cooking wave length to ChichaJo at 80 Breakfasts in Manila in the Philippines. We both made labnah the same week and there I was eating a bowl of semolina when her Semolina Porridge popped up for A Taste Of Yellow.
Arfi at HomeMadeS in Auckland New Zealand contributed two entries. She had some time to herself while her little ones were visiting their Grandmother so she whipped up this wonderful Banana and Coconut Pudding.
Tami at Running With Tweezers in Atlanta Gorgia contributes a Tangy Tarragon Vinaigrette to serve with Yellow Tomatoes.
Lori at Lip Smacking Goodness honours an aunt and her mother in law lost to cancer and celebrates those who have triumphed with this recipe for Mini Passionfruit Cheese Cake with Passionfruit Curd.
Bron Marshall couldn't resist a second entry and as it is the end of summer in New Zealand corn is everywhere. I often bought it from road side stalls when driving on the outskirts of Auckland. Bron served the family a snack of Yellow Grilled Corn with Chilli Butter.
My favourite Cream Puff in Canada, Ivonne at Cream Puffs in Venice is another blogger touched by cancer with the loss of her father in 2001. Thank you Ivonne for finding the time to participate with another fabulous cake. This year she lays a little yellow on us with a Lemon-Lime Cocounut and Macadamia Nut Cake.
A healthy and colourful Corn Salad from the sweet Paz at The Cooking Adventures Of Paz. I get to enjoy the streets of New York through Paz's weekly photos.
Tammy at Wee Treats By Tammy in Auckland dedicated her recipe from Cuisine for Lemon Rice Pudding With Cinnamon Ice Cream to her aunt undergoing chemo at the moment.
Jennifer at Use Real Butter in Nederland Colorado has kicked cancer's ass. To make these Lemon Petit Fours despite currently undergoing chemo shows her strength of character.
Ilva from Sweden now lives in Tuscany, Italy and daily shares her impressions of Italy with her photos at Lucullian Delights. She shares her recipe for Saffron and Carrot Cupcakes With Cardamom and Pinenuts.
Arundathi at My Food Blog in Chennai, India contributes with an intriguing recipe for Lemon Rice.
This fabulous looking Lemon Layer Cake is from Karen at Do Better in the San Francisco Bay Area.
From Bristol in the UK, Sam's Mum Chris at Ms Cellania shared her delicious Lemon Curd last year. This year she has gone savoury with a delicious Kedgeree.
From the family comments at the bottom of the post at Bake at 350 I can see Bridget's Mom Gayle was special and much loved. Bridget from Spring Texas made Rose Sugar Cookies in tribute to her mother.
In New Zealand Morven at Food Art and Random Thoughts dedicates her recipe for Sicilian Peppers to friends and family touched by cancer.
Judy at Judy's Gross Eats in Ventura California shares the cancer story of her good friend David. Her Rosemary Polenta is adapted from a recipe by the Barefoot Contessa.
Tracy Parker is from Ottawa, Canada and blogs at Vanilla Bean Cafe. The secret to her Easter Banana Cheesecake is chopped mini chocolate eggs in the mix.
Our favourite Kitchen Wench, Ellie in Melbourne is back this year. She had plans for a three course meal of yellow but her family at the soup and dessert when she wasn't looking. Her Stuffed Scallop Squash was photograped before they could devour it.
Silvia at Winter Star in Italy shares a recipe that sounds and looks delicious called Veggie Box.
Toontz at Okara Mountain in The Dairy State has written a beautiful, beautiful post about her father. She knows he would prefer Lemon Meringue Pie but she has made what she does better - her Lemon Sweetheart Cookies.
Jenna from Southern New Jersey at Jenna Lee Eats shares a recipe called Sue's Zucchini Parmesan. Sue is her Mom who devised this recipe with fresh zucchini from her garden while going through chemo.
Allison in Southern California has a younger brother going through cancer treatment for the second time. She shares a arecipe for Macaroni and Cheese with a Twist at Sushi Day.
Welcome to our youngest food blogger Mouse at Mouse's Mixins . This is her first attempt at icing with her entry for Lemon Poppy Seed Cake.
From Stephanie at Elegant Sufficiency in Sydney a Mandarin Curd made after a work assignment with Sean Moran from Seans Panaroma. Happily her father is doing well on his cancer journey.
Stef at the Cupcake Project in St Louis brings us Saffron Cupcakes. They are her interpretation of a saffron cake Dolores at Chronicles in Culinary Curiosity made for last years event. Stef researched saffron and has lots of interesting facts to share.
A healthy Mango and Quinoa Salad perfect for summer picnics from Smita in New York at Traveling Tummy.
I spent a lovely couple of days with Mary from la Tavola when I was I visited Dunedin last year. We shared a few bottles of wine over meals. She drank this Kumue River Sauvignon Blanc with an omelette stuffed with capsicum and goat feta.
Yoli has a delightful blog which isn't about food, called Musings. I'm delighted to have her entry for
Tortilla de Platano Maduro
1 Large Plantain ripened (see above)
1 9" Frying pan cast iron
4-5 Whole Eggs (enough to cover
the plantains)
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
Peel and cut banana on the bias, place in pan with oil heated over medium
heat. Slowly fry the plantains until dark golden brown on both sides. Remove and
drain. In the same pan pour beaten eggs and slowly cook, stirring often until
the eggs thicken but not cook all the way through. Once thickened place the
bananas scattered throughout, continue cooking through. Be careful not to burn
eggs, you may adjust heat. Once done, flip over onto plate and serve.
Jeanne at Cook sister in London has been touched by cancer and remembers friends lost and celebrates with those who have survived. Her Marmalade Bread and Butter Pudding is perfect for our approaching winter down under.
Marina, at Cuoche dell'altro mondo, and I lived near each other in Auckland and shared some wonderful family meals together. I'd like to be sharing this yellow Apple Pie with her while her delightful little girls danced around us in their pretty tutus.
Harini at Toungue Ticklers gives us the facts on cancer in her country of India as she shows support for those fighting cancer. She shares her recipe for Zunka, or Jhunka a rusitc delicacy from Maharashtrian made from Bengal flour.
Isn't this a fabulous yellow from Susan at Foodblogga in San Diego California? Her traditional Italian Rice Pie was originally made with 12 eggs. She has cut back on the eggs a little and it still looks fabulous. I have plans to make this dessert soon.
Bee and Jai at jugalbandi live in the the North West of the US. They have served this years entry of Naadan Parippu on a heart shaped leaf along with some Rose matta rice. A beautiful photograph don't you agree?
Sia of Monsoon Spice in the UK shares her Ridge Gourd Dhal along with some insights into old gold Bollywood movies. I love old Bollywood movies.
Food Lover's Journey is a lovely Australian blog from Anh in Melbourne. Anh returns to blogging after a busy time with her studies to create a Mango Souffle with Passionfruit Topping.
Peabody the hockey fanatic at Culinary Concotions tells how her mother faced her cancer journey with courage and humour. This Lemon Berry Gratin is in honour of her mother reaching 7 years survival and other friends who have been touched by cancer.
When I lived in Auckland I spent some enjoyable times with Arfi at Homemades. She's a great cook and I'm really missing her Chicken with Peanut Sauce. She has contributed a second entry for LiveSTRONG - Mango Smoothie.
Marija from Belgrade in Serbia at Palachinka has contributed her Hawaiin Skewers. Aren't they just perfectly perfectly caramalised on the edges?
Ivy shares a traditional Cheesy Sunday celebration dish called Trahanopita on her blog Kopiaste from Athens in Greece.
Val at More Than Burnt Toast in British Columbia, Canada shares a great tip about replacing toothpicks with uncooked spagetti when she makes her Lemony Goat Cheese and Asparagus Stuffed Rouladen.
This brilliantly coloured Stir Fry Cauliflower was made by Mandira at Ahaar in Ann Arbor Michigan using the fabulous spice pack she received.
Meera at Enjoy Indian Food in the United States learnt this recipe for Mag ni Daal na Dhokla from her Grandmother in law.
Rossella at Ma che ti sei mangiato recently ran a blog event An Apple A Day to celebrate her own triumphs over illness. She supports us here with her Polenta with Tomato and Asparagus.
A Corn Methi from Medhaa at Cook With Love in Palmerston Ontario sounds interesting with fenugreek leaves and corn.
Sharona May at Birdfood lives in Gorgia and shares her very easy to make, brightly coloured Roasted Corn side dish.
Holly at PheMOMenon in Utah celebrates her mother in law surviving breast cancer by adding the pink for breast cancer awareness to a Taste Of Yellow to create Lemon Whoopie Pies with Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling.
Doctors love wine. I shared wine recommendations with my oncologist and my surgeon in New Zealand. My new oncologist in Australia owns a vineyard in Greece. Ed at Winosapien , a doctor in Perth, Australia writes really great wine reviews. I trust all his recommendations. He shares his healthy recipe for Chickpea and Capsicum Salad.
Keiko the delightful Japanese girl in the UK needs no introduction. I'm sure you all know her fabulous photographs on Nordljus, taken at home and on assignment or holiday. She has used the yellow of ginger to create a Earl Grey and Ginger Ice Cream Roll with Tea Caramel Sauce.
Another man who cooks is Benito at Benitos Wine Reviews in Memphis Tennessee. His girlfriend was more impressed with the Gold Beet Salad he made than him greeting her at the airport clutching a bunch of golden beets instead of flowers. I envy women who have men that cook.
Lysy in Warwickshire in the UK with the blog Munchkin Mail, made a Yellow Pizza by adapting a recipe from Moosewood Low Fat Favourites. It looks scrumptious topped with yellow peppers and corn.
Patricia at Technicolour Kitchen in Brazil intended to post a recipe with Brazilian flare but was not happy with the results so went with her Plan B - these delicious looking Orange Poppy Seed Madelaines.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Elise from Carmichael California. Her Curried Potato and Vegetable Soup is filled with Yukon Gold yellow potatoes, cauliflower, yellow bell peppers, yellow onions, corn, and yellow summer squash and looks simply wonderful at Simply Recipes.
Anita & Cameron in San Francisco always post very tempting drinks at Married With Dinner. Anita made this Black Bottom Pie after doing a pastry making course with Shuna.
Archy at Archy's Recipe Book made this lovely Corn Delight to celebrate her parents 25th Wedding Anniversary.
Jyothsna from Sharjah in the UAE uses both tumeric and fenugreek to create her Methi Aloo on her blog Curry Bazaar. Both ingredients have health giving qualities.
Lydia at the Perfect Pantry in Rhode Island, USA has used phylo pastry shells to create these One Bite Vegetable Quiche. A quick and easy snack to feed her many house guests.
Deeba lives in Gurgaon in North India and blogs at Passionate About Baking. Her Grilled Cottage Cheese is first marinated in an Olive Oil dressing and then grilled and served with a salad on the side.
Tigerfish at teczcape in California has used her magic yellow powder to create her fabulous Corn Minestrone.
Bharathy from Spicy Chilly serves her Lemon Pudding chilled as the hot summer approaches in Southern India.
Mythreeyee lives is Cuoertino California and Paajaka is her blog devoted to Indian vegeterian cooking. Her entry to LiveSTRONG is Majjige huli with winter melon . It is a traditional South Indian dish also called majjige palidha in kannada and Moru kozhumbu in Tamil.
Cakelaw an Aussie lawyer who loves to cook, has a blog called Laws Of The Kitchen and has used saffron to create a yellow Italian soup called Stracciatella which she has topped with Parmesan toasts.
I love these little star shaped Yellow Cornflour Cakes from Manuela at Baking History in Massachusetts. They are from a 1907 Italian book called Il Pasticcere e Confettiere Moderno by Guiseppe Ciocca.
Gilli at So So Simple a blogging friend in Auckland, has spent most of this summer cruising the northern waters of New Zealand. Before setting sail posted her scallop recipe for LiveSTRONG - Scallops on Carrot Flavoured Vermicelli Noodles. Because scallops were out of season she used fish pieces. Just as nice I'm sure. Gilli has included a bonus recipe Prawn and Butternut Squash Rigatoni.
These Savoury Multigrain Yeast Pancakes are from Nandita at Saffron Trail in Bombay India. The recipe uses an interesting combination of flours.
I've just discovered Dhanggit at Aix en Provence in France with the blog Dhanggit's Kitchen. She joins in with Yellow Prune Mini-Pizzas and Poppy Seeds. A prune in France is a plum here.
Sadly for Cristie in Wisconsin at Edible Antics - Having Fun WIth Food, it is just 12 months since her Mum lost a battle with cancer. I'm so please she joined us with her Lemon Poppy Seed Bread.
Isa at Isa's Cooking in Chile has made a beautifully packaged jar of Lemon Curd which she then turned into a delicious looking Lemon Pie.
Wiffy at Noob Cook lives in Singapore and has made a delicious looking Pumpkin Rice with step by step photographic instructions.
This fabulous photograph of a fabulous Pineapple Sorbet is from Nicisme at Cherrapeno in the UK. The recipe is from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz.
I love mango and I love mousse. Cham from Spice-club in California gives us two versions of her Mango Mousse, one with cream and one with yogurt. Both sound delicious.
Ranjeetha North Attleboro in the US at Ranji's Kitchen Corner shares her husband's all time favourite recipe for Chicken Biriyani, a Southern Asian dish.
Another stunning photo from Meeta in Germany. Meeta shares one of the saddest cancer story I've heard and posts her Pumpkin Rissotto at What's For Lunch Honey in tribute to her friend MP.
Anne, aka the Foody Froggy at the Foodie Froggy in Paris has made an amazing Imperial Lemon Mousse and served it with Cherry Coulis. I want one of those silicon molds.
This is just one of the new foods I have discovered through A Taste Of Yellow. This is Sweet Poli from Srivalli at Cooking 4 All Seasons India. I wold love to try this - it sounds delicious.
Bruno at Brunos Dream in St. Louis, Missouri honours his friends fighting the battle and pays tribute to those who lost with his Saffron Gelato with Cognac Soaked Dates and Toasted Pine Nuts.. Sounds wonderful doesn't it?
Also in St Louis is Alanna at Kitchen Parade. She shares a recipe for a quick supper dish of Lemon Asparagus Pasta. I'm always looking for this type of quick supper meal.
Brianna at A Cookie A Day in Winston Salem, North Carolina remembers her Grandmother with a yummy looking Strawberry Lemon Yogurt Bread.
Make Life Sweeter is the great blog name chosen by Linda in The Hague in The Netherlands. My life would be sweeter after a bowl of her Lemon and Coconut Rice Pudding layerd with Pineapple and Banana.
Jenny at All Things Edible in Ottawa Canada perfected a previous attempt from Tuesdays With Dorrie to make a successful Lemon Cream Tart.
Sounding My Barbaric Gulp! is the mad fun name of the blog by Kelly in Alton Illinois. Her recipe for Lemon Confit led to her Lemon Confit and Asparagus Tart with Goast Cheese.
Manish at A Mad Tea Party in Lousville Colorada is currently supporting her best friend through the same cancer one of my best friends died of 5 years ago. Her Vinlaben Ni Gujarati Kadhi is made in honour of her friend Francie.
Continue reading :
LiveSTRONG With A Taste Of Yellow 2008 - Part 2.
