Art Deco: My New Deco Collection in Pastels & Oils

 

Angel Uriel: oil painting by Cherie Bender

Having had fabulous success with my Art Deco collection, I am enthused to start a new one!
Loving the time of the 1920s, and the artists who lived then, I am enjoying painting in my studio to the tune of my different drummer. I feel the inspiration and I go with the flow so Art Deco it is! Starting with the painting I did for my blog head-piece "Geisha With Rainbow" I will be creating my "New Art Deco" in oil paintings and pastels. 
I have not forgotten nor put aside my Magical Cookbook. I am still cooking  in my new Cappuccino Kitchen, editing the recipes I discover, and illustrating those recipes with paintings drawings and photographs, and will be closer to publication later this fall. This will be an excuse to have another cooking party video!
2017 promises to be a busy and fulfilling year for me both as an artist, and as a purveyor of fine food recipes.
Happy New Year & Many Blessings!
Cherie
p.s. please note: if you like what you read & would like to let me know that like: please click below to let me know dear readers! Also, you may send me a message here. 
C

I've Always Loved To Play Dress-up - Another Side Of Me!

 This is one of my very favorite modeling photographs taken by the fabulous photographer Dan Littlejohn. I related to Danny as an artist and a model. We took pictures together for fun and money. That is absolutely the best experience in the whole world. Better than almost anything else!
I adore the sienna tinting in this hand done print, expertly and lovingly created by Danny in his darkroom...where the Magic happens.To me this shot has a remembrance, an iridescence, if you will, of time standing still.
All that is remembered is the good times.
Danny was one of my favorite people in the whole world. I thought he was tremendously talented and we had a lot of good times shooting together.
Another side of Me.
Lots of Love

Cherie

Gratitude on Being A Working Artist Labor Day 2016

Men Shaking Hands, a pastel drawing

Today, on Labor Day September 5, 2016, I reflect on how I've been very lucky and fortunate to have inherited the gift from my parents of creating art, and I've been an artist most of my life.
For a fairly long while, I modeled, and I loved acting in plays and in movies, but throughout, I always did my visuals. I can say with definite certainty, my true love and truest passion has always been creating art. Whether on an excruciating deadline or taking my time making something that pleases me, this has been an incredible journey. I share with you now, one of my favorite pieces "Men Shaking Hands" a pastel drawing I did for one of my first self promos on the internet. It has the flavor of an Aynn Rand book, as I probably was influenced by my reading of "Atlas Shrugged" when I was sixteen and again around the time I created this pastel. In the depths of my psyche is the work ethic I inherited from my Dad. I love to layer and perfect my work both as an illustrator and as a fine artist. The original Pastel, Men Shaking Hands, is available, as are some other commissioned pieces I did for a living as an illustrator. Please visit my web to view this and more commissioned art. You may inquire about availability via my contact page.
Have a Blessed Day, and God Bless America!
Happy Labor Day

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Fairies & Elves & Gnomes!

Esm'e: pencil & glitter by Cherie Bender

I love drawing and painting my Magical Creatures! For me, the cooking, and enjoyment of eating delicious, healthy, good for you food is a magical and transforming experience.
My magical folk I draw and paint to illustrate my Magical Cookbook are very real to me. They are inspired by my favorite flowers, herbs and creatures of my garden.
All I have done, is to open my eyes and ears and believe in what happens next!
If I am very quiet and still, shhhhh! soon, I will hear the tinkling, silvery laughter, perhaps? of fairies in my flower and herbal garden. On a particularly lucky day, I can sometimes catch the soft flutter of fairy wings within the corner of my eye. If I listen carefully, I can hear my garden's helpers, the Gnomes and Elves coax my flowers and herbs to grow.
In order to protect all creatures and keep everything healthy, I do not allow harsh pesticides in my home or garden. I want to keep the eco system flowing so I try to only work with natural oils such as peppermint, to keep unwanted visitors, such as mosquitoes, away!
 My new cookbook that I am beginning to write now, starting this Summer of 2016, incorporates these principles, and is so much fun to create!
 My Magical Cookbook is percolating and simmering, blending all of the wonderful ingredients!   My recipes include using natural ingredients such as herbs and flowers of the garden, combined for us to stay beautiful, young and healthy!
 I am also creating organic, essential oil blends; Love, Cash Flow, Power, and Drive Calm (Protection) are some of my latest. I will be sharing some of these and my magical art for all who desire these qualities in their own lives.
Just as in all good cooking, savoring the delicious aromas of essential oils, and tuning into the subtle healing results, while training the palette for delicate flavors rather than quick easy fixes, takes time. I will be sharing another recipe tidbit from my Magical Cookbook very soon! Keep posted 'cauz I'm percolating!
In Good Health,
With Many Blessings
Cherie

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Steam Ovens

Dining Poolside

In the summer who wants to slave over a hot stove? I surely do not!
In my new Cappuccino Kitchen, I have installed the greatest thing! A steam oven which is a quick and healthy way to cook with steam and convection. Mine is a Jen-Aire which I am in love with. Why am I in love with a steam oven you may ask?
Its simple: no more harmful micro waves in my kitchen ever again! Everything cooks up quickly, crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. After a long days work in the studio and/or writing new recipes for Cherie Bender's Glitter Book of Magical Cooking, all I have to do is place a frozen, wild caught piece of fish, or organic chicken, or even frozen pasta,  drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, surrounded with organic veggies, place in an oven proof ceramic dish, and seasoned with fresh dill from my garden, ground pepper, sea salt, organic lemon zest and juice from one lemon and then I place the container with filtered water back in the lil' ole' steam oven, Voila! Within 20 minutes (time enough to walk my Japanese Chin puppies Dalai and Angel)  I arrive back home to a delicious, healthy dinner cooked with no harm to me, my family, or my environment, and its virtually hands free!
 I have been experimenting with my steam oven for the last few months and have found it to be a delightful, easy peasy nice n' breezy way to cook fresh and healthy, quickly.
There is very little danger of overcooking as the steam oven walks you through the whole process, giving you options to stop cooking or continue on for a  few more minutes. Opening the oven door poses no danger whatsoever, just a little steam escaping, unlike the outdated microwave. Plus, you can adjust the seasonings to taste or add more time on as you please.
I will be writing some new recipes in the near future geared to this awesome way for busy people to prepare healthy meals, saving them time and money!
The Summer is for enjoying the good weather, outdoor pleasures and taking it easy, no? Using the steam oven is a fabulous new faster and health conscious cooking idea who's time has come. I can't wait to have my book published and ready with these newer recipes included. I envision a very near future of steam ovens in every kitchen, affordably. Just imagine coming home from working all day, to such an easy way of preparing healthy and nutritious dinners! You could languish in the tub or take a shower for 20 minutes knowing that all your cooking is being done safely. That is the most important part. My new steam oven recipes will be geared with all of this in mind, and of course I will also include my recipes for the gas convection oven as well.

Azulene: Pastel & Swarovsky crystal drawing: 

 Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking will be Illustrated with my drawings, paintings and photographs.

In good health,
Many Blessings!
Cherie

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: an unusual cookbook

Delicious Food Served Deliciously

My Cappuccino Kitchen is finally up and running and it has been a very long time in the making!
I've had Many trials and tribulations with over 36 workers coming  in and out of my doors for the past 6 months! Not all of them knew what they were doing, I am sorry to say! The truth was in the pudding as my Mummy used to tell me.... but now....
I was on a mission as I have started and almost completed my cookbook illustrated with my art and photos and I am almost finished with the detailing and final touches of both the kitchen and my book a la Cherie!
My kitchen is very delightful and will be a perfect backdrop for fun! cooking parties and I cannot wait to start cooking up a storm so..
Please keep posted to my blog because now I have the time to post!
I promise: videos of cooking parties are forthcoming  as well as snippets of my latest recipes for gourmet food focusing on Health, Beauty and Longevity.
Many Blessings
Cherie

Nysa Poland: a family photo

I'm overjoyed to share the good news that my Cappuccino kitchen I'm building is almost: aaaalmost ready!
Nine months ago, in July of 2015, I conceived my idea of creating a Magical Cookbook that would transform peoples lives with my art and my joy of cooking because I felt strongly, that when you are fed with love, many blessings follow. 
I wanted to have cooking parties, to be video'd with my friends, and with guest chefs, in a beautiful kitchen, overlooking my herb garden and roses. I wanted to take videos of how I relax before a party, including taking herbal baths with rose petals by candle light. I wanted to take videos of me picking herbs and choosing organic, free-range ingredients at select grocery stores. And, I wanted everyone to have fun at my cooking parties!
As a background history I include in this blog entry one of  my family photographs of Nysa, Poland, wherein I show my roots. Because, although I grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, my Daddy was from Poland.
 We had a Polish chef in Scotland and we would speak Polish together while he would make special Polish treats for me that were so delicious! I will be including some of these evocative Eastern European recipes in my Magical Cookbook to be, illustrating with my paintings, drawings, and photographs. I have already illustrated one of my grandpa's favorite recipes of blue-berry soup with my sketch of one of my favorite Gnomes, found on my website:
http://www.cheriebender.com/port.asp?filter=key&keywords=cookbook
So you can see, my childhood memories of a kitchen are about the comfort and warmth to be found with just a cuppa and maybe a scone drenched in jam. For, as a child, I loved the snow and ice as long as I was inside in front of a nice, cozy fire where I felt safe, snug and warm, eating a special treat and not worried about a single thing. This is part of my Magical Cookbook's essence.

I will be including in this, my Magical Cookbook, tried and true personal recipes from my stash, from my friends and neighbors, from family members and recipes from people who inspire me such as  Julia Childs, a fabulous American chef and food pioneer who also lived in France and had so much fun cooking on TV, and Nora Ephron, the director who wrote Heartburn, including her favorite recipes in a personal life story, plus the cookbook author Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa, to name a few.
My aim for my Magical Cookbook is to please both the eye and the palette, humbly capturing the warmth and comfort of delicious good food, with healthy recipes focusing on Beauty, Good Health, and Long Life, illustrated with my paintings drawings and photos.

I now Fast forward to the present moment: adding to this magic would be a lovely meal served with grace, on beautiful china with linen napkins  and exquisite silverware: In my Cappuccino Kitchen! But, I must add, a simple free-range Shepherds pie loaded with organic vegetables in a ram-kin would more than suffice: Freshly Baked from the oven and Piping Hot. Satisfyingly delicious.

 I am working on my Magical Cookbook now, as my Cappuccino kitchen is being born. I am researching recipes from my stash of great cook-books written by my mentors and planning on recipes that include essential oil cocktails, flower power drinks, awesome healthy meals, and All are made with a lot of fun and with excellent good health in mind. I also plan on having cooking parties and doing videos, as I had mentioned, in my Cappuccino Kitchen.
So look for news about my ideas for cooking parties, as they will be included here.
I had thought of writing my Magical Cookbook a few years ago, very inspired by Julia Child and her amazing cooking journey.
So now, my dream is finally happening! I am awesomely grateful for the opportunity to share my love of art and my love of cooking.
 I hope that Cherie's Magical Cookbook will inspire, nurture, enthrall and capture you as I have been while creating this for you.
What is life without good food? Friendship? Ambiance? and Color?
Love of cooking and love of art: for me they go together: Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: an unusual cookbook.
Many Blessings!
Cherie

The Summer Of The Goddess: Part 2

 

 

A Magical Self Portrait:

"There are only two kinds of women, goddesses & doormats"

..Picasso is infamous for his wicked sense of humor in art & in life. I adore the man, he amuses me. His art inspires & stimulates my imagination. Ive read everything I can get my hands on about him. I even ordered a huge picture-book from Amazon which weighs a ton, but has tipped in gorgeous prints of Picasso's delicious work. 

So, granted, now Ive claimed the man & artist to be very important to me, I must confess this self-portrait I did one beautiful Sunday, in the late afternoon, was inspired by the quote above. Plus, I love the idea of fairies. I would love to be one. Right now, I'm just an artist highlighting the most sparkles everywhere. Enjoy!

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Healing the Natural Way

Featured: Pastel With Swarovski Crystals:
              Guava Goddess, by Cherie Bender

Having found myself in quite a lot of pain from one of my fingers, the fingernail of the index finger on my right hand (not the best place to have a sudden vicious reaction to laundry detergent and dish-washing soap) especially not for an artist on a deadline. I investigated on the internet for a natural homeopathic solution.
As my finger was swelling and all work on my latest art project stopped, I was happy to discover four of my kitchen ingredients to be the perfect healing solution: apple cider vinegar and fresh garlic; then Honey and cinnamon
First, I soaked the poor hurting finger in a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 2 parts lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Letting the vinegar dry naturally, I then broke open a garlic clove, slicing it in half and gently rubbed around the entire nail bed and under.
Within literally minutes, my finger started to be soothed, and stopped viciously throbbing.
I then mixed equal parts honey and cinnamon and applied with a small bandage. I Left this on for a few hours, drawing out any remaining sting and resultant infection.
Happily, my right hand and its index finger are on the road to recovery via ingredients in my kitchen!
I always knew I could survive in the jungle with just a few natural ingredients and a little homeopathic know-how!  I'm a Goddess who loves healing with nature. Its always best with the body, Ive found, to treat it with gentleness, and be kind. Throwing a lot of antibiotics at a physical hurt mostly results in the body being thrown out of balance. Then work must be done to bring back the balance. Treating in the natural way causes no harm and is just as effective, while costing very little. A much safer and healthier way to go in all aspects.

Love Thoughts for Valentines Day 2015

Pre Valentine's 2015 Thoughts

I'm watching the birds this morning, feeding from the bird feeder in front of the kitchen window.
I especially love the red cardinals, who mate for life. The male watches over the female as she feeds, safe in his hideaway, a ficus hedge. He patiently and willingly lets her feed for a long time before he claims his own. I love that! How wonderful, I thought, to experience this kind of unselfishness generous and patient love. I desire to have that in my own life! Loyalty is everything.

I am sharing this story with you, because there are also less unselfish and actually very greedy birds that I feed. Such as the morning doves, who also mate for life. They fight over their territory and only allow certain birds to share in their stash. Sometimes they get so rowdy, they smash into things by accident (no casualties as of yet)

Viva La Difference! We humans can willingly change our behavior through our decisions. It is not ever too late to experience unselfish and unconditional love. It starts with us. I truly believe we can rise above our baser instincts and transcend into freedom.

Valentine's day is the day set aside for love, "a perfect day to go within and glance back with affection and understanding at your real life journey so far...... we'll need courage to retrace our steps. But 'courage is the price that Life extracts for granting peace', the pilot Amelia Earhart reminds us... 
Today is the day for being. Be with those you love, be kind to yourself. Be quiet and call forth the dreams buried long ago. Those embers are still glowing in your soul. "See them in your mind, hold them tenderly in your heart" advises Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. www.simpleabundance.com

Today is the day to just be in the moment, within the perfection of now! The only Now we have. 
Be with the ones you love with gratitude.
Many Blessings to all.

Imagination - Oil painting on wood: 18"x30"

Imagination

I'm starting to get Excited about this being 2015!

 An opportunity to view everything in a whole new perspective, tailor made for unlimited success, abundance, and great good health! Here's an illustration I created for an earlier campaign, called "Imagination" Oil on Wood 18"x30" Its our choice how we direct our thoughts. Be as a new born baby and think outside the bubble!

~ Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking ~ Chilled Blueberry Soup

Magical Gnome Drawing by: Cherie Bender

My maternal grandpa was a fabulous cook. One day, he made for me cold blueberry soup from the old country. This was my first taste of a delicious soup that could be served cold on a hot Indian Summer afternoon. Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and bilberry, great for your eyes. My Magical Garden Gnome introduces this  healing, refreshing recipe for eye and brain support.
Ingredients:
As always, try to use only organic ingredients!
This recipe serves four:
5 cups fresh blueberries
4 cups filtered water
1/2 cups turbinado sugar
2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ground
1 cinnamon stick 3"
1/8 tsp. kosher or sea salt
2 cups yogurt, plain or blueberry
4 thinly sliced lemon
Preparation:
In a large saucepan, combine  blueberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and salt. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and pour mixture into the blender or food processor, blending until smooth.
Pour into a large  decorative bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
To serve:
Stir yogurt into soup in a swirl pattern. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint or dill.
Enjoy my grandpa's special blueberry soup when a refreshing light meal is desired. Meanwhile, know you are healing your body and eyes with a delicious refreshment.

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Healing Chicken Soup

Healing Chicken Soup iPhoto: by Cherie

Nourishment and love are contained in my amazingly healing chicken soup. The recipe was given to me by a good friend, and I know it works!
 Almost immediately, as the warmth begins to travel throughout your body, you start to relax, and realize tomorrow is another day. For now, be grateful that you are well fed.
My Healing Chicken soup may be made ahead of time and stored in your freezer by the bowl-full. Just take out and unfreeze when the need arises, adding fresh cut mint for sore throats, oregano to help combat infection, and basil for boosting your immune system.
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
All ingredients are free range and organic 
6 cloves garlic, crushed and diced
6 tbl oregano
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano
1/2 cup fresh chives
1/4 cup fresh mint
2 stalks celery, diced
1 cup diced carrots
1 small sweet white onion, diced fine
1 cooked yellow corn, remove corn from husk, makes 1 cup
6 large lemons, juiced with seeds removed
4-6 tbl extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
1 whole free-range organic chicken, cut into quarters by your butcher
2 cups tricolor Fusilli pasta
2 small red tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, as topping
Shredded parmesan cheese, as topping
ground black pepper to taste
Kosher or sea salt to taste
Preparation:
1. In a large stainless steel skillet, saute the garlic and onion on med/high heat in the extra virgin olive oil until golden
2. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, skin side down. Turn and brown until golden on both sides
3. Add the 6 tablespoons oregano and 1/2 of the squeezed lemons. Now you may also add the white wine. Lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes with the lid on
4. Turn the chicken pieces once more, add the rest of the lemon juice. Return the lid and simmer on low for another 10-20 minutes.
Set aside
5. In a large pot, fill with salted filtered spring water and bring to a rolling boil
6. Add the tricolor fusilli pasta. Boil until al dente and then carefully add the chicken & ingredients from the large skillet into the large pot
7. Cover and simmer on low, for one hour, adding the fresh chopped oregano, 1/2 of the chives, and the mint, within the last fifteen minutes of cooking. Remove the chicken bones
8. Serve in attractive soup bowls, with chopped avocado, parmesan cheese and chives as toppings.

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking ~Tahitian Rose~

~ Tahitian Rose ~ Pastel Drawing  by Cherie Bender

" Your heart is like a magical kitchen. If you open your heart, you already have all the love you need" Don Miguel Ruiz: The Mastery Of Love.

When I think of roses, I think of Love. But roses also have an extra special meaning for me.
My Maternal grandmother smuggled five fragile porcelain roses and one delicate porcelain candle-holder, hiding them under her clothing, while traveling through Germany. Thankfully, escaping Hitler and the atrocities inflicted on her people.  Grandma and Grandpa are my connection to my Jewish family history.
 Amazingly, I now have these celebratory roses, virtually intact,  decorating my festive table settings!  They are a fragile, beautiful, strong remembrance for me of courage, and faith through adversity.
 Treasuring these porcelain roses as keepsakes of infinitesimal value, I feel the power and endurance of love each time I set my table.
The pastel drawing above ~ Tahitian Rose ~ was created as the figurehead of my new Magical Cookbook,  inspired by these porcelain roses and my  garden rose, a Tahitian Rose of majestic loveliness, the scent of which intoxicates and inspires.
Within the synchronicity of reading Don Miguel Ruiz's enlightening book and discovering the chapter "The Magical Kitchen" plus reading lots of amazing cookbooks on my journey, I feel truly blessed with  inspirational messages, healthy cooking, and wise counsel.
Food nourishes the body and soul. Faith nourishes the spirit. I'm an artist combining her great loves in my Magical Cookbook: painting, cooking, and aromatherapy recipes for beautifying the body and relaxing the soul.
Faith+delicious food = inspirational Magical Cooking! Recipes for beauty, health and longevity.
This is a fantastic opportunity and so much fun, sharing  my favorite recipes and illustrating them with my oil paintings, pastels and drawings.
 I'm creating another  new drawing called ~Azulene~ a pastel with Swarovski crystals, highlighting the beautiful healing Chamomile flower, and  the benefits of a Magical Formula of Azure Blue: an essential oil formed by the German method of distilling the charmingly beautiful Chamomile flower. I will be posting my pastel drawing called ~Azulene ~ and sharing my knowledge of the amazing healing and calming properties of Chamomile.
References: The Mastery Of Love: Don Miguel Ruiz;
Flower Power: Flower remedies for Healing  Body and Soul: Anne McIntyre

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Baby Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry Fairy Drawing by Cherie Bender

 Perfect for Valentines Day Good Wishes! These baby strawberry cakes are also deliciously good for you.
Mixing almonds and oats into the biscuit dough gives an extra nutritional boost: almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, great for your heart. Oats lower cholesterol with beneficial phyto chemicals. Strawberries provide a high vitamin c source, and are a natural skin astringent.

Ingredients:
As always, please try to use only organic products:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup plus 1 tbl natural turbinado unprocessed sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
6 tbl (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cubed into 1/2 inches
1 cup chilled heavy cream, divided, saving some for brushing
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
4 cups hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
1 tbl Grand Marnier orange liqueur

To Prepare:
1 preheat the oven to 375 decrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 pulse the flour, oats, almonds, 1/3 cup of turbinado sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor until finely ground.
3 add the butter; pulse until only pea-size pieces
add 1/2 cup of cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; pulse until  large moist clumps form.
4 on a baking board, knead the dough until it combines. Pat into a 4 x 6 inch rectangle shape. Halve lengthwise, then crosswise into thirds. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and brush with cream. Sprinkle with 1/2 tbl turbinado sugar.
5 bake and rotate the sheet halfway through cooking until golden brown on the edges, for approximately 20 minutes or when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
6 set the biscuits on a wire rack, let cool.
(The biscuits may be made a few hours ahead of time and stored in a tight container at room temp)
7 combine the strawberries and the Grand Marnier, in a large bowl, mixing gently with a wooden spoon, tossing the strawberries often, and letting sit for a good ten minutes.
8 whisk 1/2 cup of cream, 1/2 tbl of turbinado sugar, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla in a small bowl until the cream forms peaks.
9 cut warm biscuits in half, place the bottom halves on plates, spooning the strawberries on top and covering with dollops of whipped cream. Top with the remaining shortcake biscuit halves. Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint for decoration.

I love the idea of an indulgent dessert that is also good for you! This is a perfect recipe to celebrate a new baby, a christening, or the addition of a new pet to the family. In fact, I just whipped this dessert up to celebrate, with a few of my closest friends, my adoption of another adorable Japanese Chin named Angel Claire Bodhi Bear. Which makes two; my first Japanese puppy being Dalai Lama Luck Dragon.
I hope you enjoy making this delicious recipe, and indulging in the luscious taste of healthy sweet strawberries!


References: Cooking your way to Gorgeous by Scott Vincent Borba

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are an excellent comfort food which may be saved in your refrigerator or frozen, for those days when nothing will satisfy but indulgence.  This recipe for my Fancy Stuffed Peppers is packed with lots of nutrition.

Fanciful Stuffed Peppers iPhoto by Cherie Bender

Ingredients:
*All ingredients are organic & free-range*
Serves 4 people:

4 medium sized green peppers
4 baby portobello mushrooms, chopped
6 oz ground turkey
I jar of tomato sauce of your choice
1 cup Jasmine rice
1 diced sweet white onion
4 garlic cloves
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
ground pepper to taste
3 tbl extra virgin olive oil
5 tbl of red wine
1/2 cup Grated fresh Parmesan to sprinkle on top before baking, and some left over for serving

Preparation:
Trim and core the peppers, making sure the seeds are removed completely
 Par boil the peppers for 5 minutes in a medium size saucepan, lifting them out carefully with a wooden spoon so as not to damage the peppers
and set aside
Saute the garlic, medium heat, diced very fine, in the olive oil, until golden, then add the diced sweet onion, until a fragrant semi transparency. Then add the ground turkey, raising the heat for 6 minutes on high until the turkey is browned on both sides
Add the pepper flakes, and 1/2 tablespoon  of  nutmeg, making sure of an even mix. Add the red wine. Turn the heat down to low, and simmer, covered, for approximately 12 minutes, checking every five to make sure all ingredients are mixed evenly, then add half of the tomato sauce, mixing and simmering for an additional five minutes, or until the juices are absorbed, but the ground turkey is still moist.
Meanwhile, prepare the Jasmin rice according to the package directions
When the rice is ready, combine all ingredients together by adding the rice to the sauteed ground turkey mix in the saucepan. Stuff the peppers with the ground turkey mixture
Place the stuffed green peppers in an oven proof baking dish carefully, making sure they are evenly placed. Cover the peppers with the remaining tomato sauce, and sprinkle with the Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.
Bake in a 350 oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the peppers are nicely browned on top, and the tomato sauce is bubbling.
Remove carefully with a wooden spoon and serve. This dish is also more amazing reheated the next day, as a super-comforting lunch.
Enjoy!

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book of Magical Cooking: Tropical Salmon

Tropical Salmon iPhoto by Cherie

I love this delicious pairing of sweet salsa with an amazingly tasty salmon, grilled and fresh. Perfect for a Summer night's repast. A wonderfully potent combination of anti-aging ingredients, and fantastic taste! A great source of omega-3's and many pluses of beautifying skin replenishing properties, this may even taste better the next day as a cold dish together with a salad. As always, try your very best to only use organic ingredients and ethically farmed fish.

This recipe is for two:
Salsa Ingredients:
1 Whole pink grapefruit, sectioned and diced
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup finely cut chives
3 tablespoons finely cut fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon either/or  red pepper flakes or 1 jalapeno pepper stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
1 teaspoon honey or turbinado brown sugar

Salmon Ingredients:
Four or one large 6-once salmon filet, skin on
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Marsha's special Christmas seasoning, or Zatarain's Creole seasoning, or any other spicy seasoning of choice

Preparation: Tropical Salsa
In a glass bowl, combine all  of the ingredients, blending. Cover and store in the refrigerator for thirty minutes to marinate, before serving with the grilled salmon.

Preparation: Salmon
Preheat the grill to medium
Brush both sides of the salmon with the olive oil. Season the salmon on both sides with the seasoning of choice. Place the salmon on the grill skin side down, and cook for 3 minutes, then turn the fish 45 degrees and cook for another 3 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the desired amount of doneness, when the center of the salmon is tender and the surface springy.
Tip: the trick here is to watch the fish carefully during the grilling process and turning at the 45 degree angle really makes a difference, before grilling skin side up.

To Serve:
Remove the fish from the grill and spoon the salsa over the top, carefully removing and serving without the skin.
Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.
Serve immediately in your finest serving dish, with a white Zinfandel, or sparkling white wine. A side dish of baked organic potato and organic baby carrots together with organic steamed broccoli is highly recommended.
I guarantee this dish to win over everyone's heart, absolutely delicious!

References: Cooking Your Way to Gorgeous, by Scott-Vincent Borba

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book of Magical Cooking: Featuring the Feminine Healing of the Hibiscus flower

Hibiscus Flower: Photo by Cherie

The Queen Hibiscus is Feminine Healing and Fun!
For Healing:
Let's start with an infusion of this beautiful tropical flower, which can be found in the Summer and in the Tropical garden,where I live, we are blessed all year round to have this Queen of flowers in many colors, my favorite being the pink double flower pictured here.
Fresh is always best, but, alternatively,  dried organic Hibiscus may be purchased or dried yourself on a sunny day and saved.
It's much better to make your own homegrown dried flowers: feeling the magic of creating something  healing with love, loving yourself and loving Planet Earth at the same time.
You can make an infusion the same way you might make regular tea using the leaves and flowers: for dried 1 oz. or 2 oz. for fresh flowers and leaves, to 1 pint of boiling water.
Put the herbs in a warmed teapot, pour on boiling water, leave covered to infuse, about ten minutes, until the flowers lose their color, and then strain.
Honey and lemon may be added, with a touch of grated ginger to taste. This amazing Hibiscus flower tea helps heal sexual feminine traumas, balances the psyche and is a natural diuretic, which means good for cleansing and detoxing the body. In the summer heat, refreshingly iced, it soothes the feminine heart. A few cups daily either warm or as iced tea, helps balance and heal the sexuality of women.
The beautiful Hibiscus flower may also be made into a tincture, which is a concentrated extract of dried herbs and flowers: Use a ratio of 25% undiluted alcohol, such as brandy, gin or vodka, to water. Add one part herbs, to two parts of liquid.
Place the herbs in a large jar and pour the alcohol and water mixture over it. Leave to macerate, shaking daily for two weeks.
Then, using a wine press, or pressing with a wooden spoon, press out the liquid and discard the herbs, which make a very good compost! Store in labeled dark bottles, keeping away from sunlight. Save all dried flowers,herbs and tinctures in this manner.
The gorgeous Hibiscus flower as a tincture, is conveniently effective, is very concentrated and can be taken when traveling or away from home.
For Fun!
As an exotic drink, this Royal Hibiscus Margarita helps fight cholesterol and tastes delicious.
 Just Perfect for that "Thank God Its Friday" feeling. Here, in this recipe, paired with fresh squeezed Orange juice and agave nectar; sweetens and is good for you!
Hibiscus Reduction:
2 ounces dried hibiscus leaves, and petals.(double for fresh flowers & baby leaves)
3 ounces filtered water
warm the water slightly to lukewarm and add 2bl organic honey
Sour Mix:
4 ounces raw agave nectar
4 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice
6 ounces water
Margarita Hibiscus TGIF:
2 ounces tequila of your choice
2 ounces hibiscus reduction
2 ounces sour mix
To Prepare:
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix the hibiscus, water and Truvia. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the color has gone from the petals. Remove from the heat, adding more Truvia to taste. Strain and cool.
2.For the sour mix, combine the agave nectar, orange juice, and water
Finally, shake together the tequila, hibiscus reduction, and sour mix. Strain over ice and serve in your most enticing Margarita glass.
This should yield a tart and crisp flavor. You may add more agave nectar per cocktail for added sweetness, and garnish with squeezed lime and a fresh hibiscus, per glass. To be drunk in good health, a Nectar fit for the Gods!
Photograph of Hibiscus by Cherie Bender
References:
Flower Power: by Anne McIntyre
Cooking Your Way To Gorgeous by Scott-Vincent-Borba

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking: Organic Fusilli Pasta

Organic Fusilli Pasta Dish iPhoto by Cherie

Pasta is food for the soul and spirit.
My dish is prepared with fusilli pasta but angel hair pasta is also delicious. Here's a traditional tri-colored pasta with oregano, basil, and chives from my garden; with organic tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, asiago or Parmesan shredded cheese and loads of organic garlic. I like to add a little fresh red pepper flakes dusted on top together with the traditional black ground pepper: Garlic, besides tasting good, is also wonderful for your skin, as it stimulates collagen production and is a natural disinfectant for the whole system. Be sure to eat this dish with love for yourself and with love for the wonderful people you will share it with!
Ingredients: (All ingredients are recommended organic and/or home grown)

This recipe is for four to six people:
Fusilli Pasta: 1 package
tomatoes:  2 Heirloom   
fresh cut chives: 1/2 cup
fresh cut oregano: 1/2 cup
fresh basil: 1 1/2 cup, cut with scissors, saving one floret
extra virgin olive oil: 5 ~ 8 tbl 
garlic: 6 cloves crushed
Cooking time: 22 minutes 
First, set the pot of filtered water to a rolling boil. I never find it necessary to add olive oil, you may add a dash of Sea Salt.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, start to saute the crushed and minced garlic in the extra virgin olive oil on medium heat. When the garlic reaches a golden color add the tomatoes, chives, and oregano. Turning the heat down slightly, add the basil, reserving a floret for decoration. 
As these ingredients are sauteing, the water should now be at a rolling boil. Quickly add the fusilli pasta, using a wooden spoon stirring a few times to make sure none stick to each other or the bottom of the pot. Boil for approximately 10 minutes or until a taste test for al dente. Which means "to the tooth" with a slight resistance in the center when the pasta is chewed. 
Strain the pasta in a large colander, never, never rinsing with cold water: this is a popular misconception but only results in tasteless pasta! When the pasta is completely strained, turn the sauteing ingredients down to low heat, quickly toss the pasta evenly in the pan. Transfer to a decorative dish and top with grated pepper, a pinch of Sea Salt, the grated cheese and  the saved sprig of basil.  
Voila!  Food for beauty, health and longevity.
Food for all the angels in heaven and earth: enjoy!



 

Cherie Bender's Glitter Book Of Magical Cooking ~Azulene~

~Azulene~ Pastel with Swarovski Crystals by Cherie Bender

 ~Azulene~ the name of the essential oil extracted from Matricaria Chamomilla, or German Chamomile, is a wonderfully magical shade of deep, dazzling blue. Just gazing at this color induces relaxation. Combined with the delicious scent of the essential oil: magical wonders are created for soothing stress.
Our English word Chamomile originally stems from the Greek chamai-melon or "earth apple" because they thought it smelled like fallen apples.
In the language of flowers, Chamomile is a symbol of energy and patience in adversity. Given in a flower bouquet in the Victorian 1800's, the flower represented support and love.
The Chamomile flower was revered by the Egyptians for its medicinal virtues and dedicated the flower to Ra, the god of the sun.
 Today, the Chamomile flowers are taken as a relaxing and sleep inducing herbal tea, or they may be crushed and made into an aromatherapy sniffing ball to induce sleep. A netted bag containing dried or fresh chamomile flowers may be immersed in a warm bath to soothe tired and aching muscles and bring peace.
Azulene, the essential oil, is wonderfully relaxing as a facial. Just one drop on a warm facecloth, breathe it in, and all of the cares of the world drop away. Beautifully.
 In my drawing  ~ Azulene ~ pastel with Swarovski crystals, I wanted to capture all of the healing and soothing magical properties of the Beautiful Chamomile flower and the fragrant scintillating blue of the essential oil, Azulene.
Pastel Drawing of ~ Azulene ~ by Cherie Bender

References: Magical Aromatherapy, the power of scent, by Scott Cunningham;
Flower Power, flower remedies for healing body and soul by Anne McIntyre