My Favourite Things: Kickstarter & Coffee

Kickstarter

A delightful project and an innovative way to fund & follow Creativity! So what exactly is it?

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every month, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse.

I say it is community at its finest. Like blogging. People come together and support projects that speak to their passions, that kindle an interest…and awaken something magical. Ideas are fertilised and dreams are encouraged.

Some foodie projects include the search for the perfect Banh Mi to the now successfully funded Feasts of Tre-Mang, recipes based on an imaginary culture!

So go on, give that idea of yours a shot. What have you got to lose????????

Magical coffee

If spring and its heat are getting to you, then why not cool off with a cup of Magical coffee…..for many reasons. I first discovered this recipe on food52. And have made it a few times since. Essentially, this is cold-brewed coffee  – grounds soaked in cold water overnight, with sweet spices and sugar. Then in the morning, passed through a sieve and the cold coffee refrigerated. To make, fill a glass with ice and imagine yourself on some sunny beach, seated at the bar. Then pour in some coffee, finish with cream, milk or both. Sit back and take a sip.

And why the craze?

Oliver Schwaner-Albright in the 2007 New York Times article, ‘The Iced Storm’ says ‘…..it was as smooth as a milkshake but had a rich coffee flavor and packed a caffeinated punch’. The key ladies and gentlemen is in the action of heat! If you compare iced coffee made with hot water versus that made with the cold-brew method, you may find the former bitter compared with the latter.

This is because hot water activates and releases acids and oils, intensifying the ‘bitterness’. Unlike cold-brew which has about two-thirds less acid, is less bitter and quite smooth. The result – less milk required and less sugar too. So for coffee neanderthals like me, the cuppa is not abused with all manners of additives radically changing its character.

I’ve been tempeted to let my almost 6-year old have some. She can’t wait to grow up so she can drink coffee!:-)

Things children say and do

Annie is another one of my favourite movies and keeping my promise to my kids, we sat down a couple of weekends ago and watched the red-head torment Miss Hannigan and finally endear herself to Papa Warbucks. And I’m still singing.

…and learning from children. It fascinates me how kids approach issues and see things. My almost 8-year old daughter starts her mazes from the end. This way, she focuses on only one route. I was stunned, impressed of course that I had transferred my intelligent genes to one of my offspring.

New Cuisines & Ingredients

A few weeks ago I visited my friend in Brighton and had my taste of Pho, the Vietnamese ‘National’ soup. A huge bowl teeming with thick flat rice noodles, vegetables and meat (in my case), swimming in a light broth made fragrant to taste. Coriander, mint, chili oil are the accompanying condiments and herbs…..added as you please.

It was wonderful to stop by the Farm market with wonderful stalls full of intriguing produce – everything from …..

Huge goose eggs….., almost twice the size of our regular chicken eggs!

….to wild garlic!

What are your favourite things this new month of May? Share them please!