Friday, February 27, 2009

Bravo Auguste!


Photos: Peter Cuce
 

I was at a fashion show at Asia Society last week and discovered this young talented Indonesian designer, Auguste Soesastro. Mr. Soesastro debuted his first Kraton collection with the influences from his heritage, arts and culture of Indonesia. 

Kraton specializes in high-end luxury fabric with a classic cut. The superb tailoring techniques and the uniqueness of incorporating Eastern and Western influences, using batik (hand dyed) fabric with light wool textile.
Gazing at the runway gave me such fond memories of the time I spent in Indonesia while I was living in Asia for four years. Incredible, amazing artisans this country offer such as Mr. Soesastro, he was born in Jakarta, to Dutch Indonesian parents.

He spent a few years in Paris and studied fashion, interned at some of the major haute couture houses and moved to New York to work for Ralph Rucci, an American couturier. This talented designer is definitely someone to keep an eye on.


Friday, February 13, 2009

Paprika Adds Spice to Your Life: Hungarian Oxtail Stew

Colorful, delicious, flavorful spices that add zests to your life! 

Paprika, is one that has a wonderful flavor to create a marinade for a nice piece of meat, fish or in dressings. 

Recently my Hungarian sweetheart and I had 16 of my loved ones over and cooked up a huge pot of his native oxtail stew with celeric root, turnip, carrots, onion, celery and few chunks of savoy cabbage.

Simple brown the oxtail and add in the vegetable with a few tablespoons of red colorful Hungarian paprika and one spoon of spicy hot paprika.

Let it cook for two hour and half in simmer while you are surfing in Facebook or cleaning those picture files that have been slowing your computer.

This makes a delicious meal accompanied with some egg noodles. With this cold winter weather, open an inexpensive full bodied Burgundy or Rioja.

Enjoy and cozy up with your favorite friends.

From Budapest, mama Talloczy 's stuffed pepper recipe