Pimping the Pretty

I couldn't do it. I just couldn't blog the Big Top Chef All Stars Pimp. The company that bought the Elimination Challenge of the last episode certainly doesn't need my microscopic blathering on the results. So here's what happened, the chefs had to shop for everything they needed to make a dish for one hundred people. Pots, pans, heat source, and serving implements. Dale won the challenge, Angelo lost. I threw up a lot in my mouth.

I decided that if we were going to pimp something it was going to be something I enjoyed and wasn't a massive corporation whose advertising budget wasn't larger than some third world country's GDP. I had just the person in mind. Remember this?

This is the artwork painted by Haley Harmon of the blog Don't Eat the Paintings. She painted it after I sent in a recipe from Virginia Willis' cookbook Bon Appetit Y'all. Ever since I've been following Haley's blog and her take on all things culinary. You know I had a huge smile when she recently posted this:

(get out of my head man!!!!!!!!!)

Haley has been very busy. Not only is she still making beautiful art, she's also making grocery bags out of her art...

...she's selling her current artworks...

...and this is the best, she'll take your favorite recipe and make your own personal painting.

How do you get in on all this watercolor goodness? The first place to take your tippy tappy fingertips is Haley's Etsy shop, Don't Eat the Paintings. All the details can be found there. I can't think of a better gift for a loved one than a personal painting of their favorite recipe to hang in their kitchen or dining room. I know I'm going to break out my favorite monkfish recipe.

(Just kidding Haley...snort!)

Grits and Greens - Harmon Style

Here's the great thing about cookbooks. They keep on giving. Back in October of 2008 I won a copy of Virginia Willis's cookbook, Bon Appetit Y'all while attending the American Royal. I love this cookbook. I made biscuits, I made Chicken Saltimbocca with Country Ham and I was happy. I even grew my own collard greens in the backyard just so I could make my own organic Grits and Greens.

It was only natural when Haley Harmon of Don't Eat the Paintings called for reader recipe suggestions to paint that this was the recipe I wanted to submit. Who could resist those big beautiful collard greens?

Isn't it beautiful? I think she did a great job. I know it made me hungry. Thanks so much Haley. Don't forget to visit Haley often to watch for more yummy paintings.

Surrounded by Beauty

While I might be a photo monkey, I have a huge respect for the artists of our world. Especially when that artwork pairs up with the culinary world. I eagerly look forward to each issue of Cook's Illustrated not only for the recipes but for the cover artwork and what collection of things are on the back cover.

Radishes by Robert Papp

Alice Water's Chez Panisse Cafe Cookbook has got to be one of my top five cookbooks due in no small part to the luscious artwork by David Lance Goines liberally laced throughout it's pages.

David Lance Goines

Happily I have a new artist obsession to add to my collection. Meet Haley Harmon of the blog Don't Eat the Paintings. Simple but beautiful little watercolors that express a real joy and love of good food. Be sure to check her out and enjoy a visual feast.

Haley Harmon