Astrid Wyman, Andy Taylor, Julie Anne Rhodes, Steve Strange, and Francesca Thyssen
I did have a fabulous trip planned this week to visit one of my favorite people on the planet (my philanthropic, larger than life, visionary friend Francesca Thyssen), in an exotic land I’ve yet to explore.
The celebrations began yesterday with the unveiling of The Morning Line, an audacious project placed next to the spice bazaar at Eminönü Square, Istanbul. It’s an incredible achievement instigated by the Thyssen-Bornemeszia Art Contemporary(also known as T-B A21), innovator Matthew Ritchie, architects Aranda/Lasch, engineering firm Arup AGU, the sound lab at the University of York, and a group of innovative composers.
The Morning Line courtesy of T-B A21
This is how Art Plus magazine describes it: “The Morning Line is a public art structure, 8 meters high and 20 meters long, built of 17 tons of black-coated aluminum. The structure explores the disciplinary interplays between art, architecture, music, mathematics, cosmology, and science.”
That spectacular evening was to be followed by the inauguration of T-B A21′s Contemporary Music Festival consisting a group of composers and musicians hand-picked by guest sound curators Russell Haswell, Malih Fereli, Kamran Ince, and Cihat Askin. A sight-seeing tour of Istanbul was scheduled to include the splendor of Blue Mosque built in the 17th century, the Hippodrome where chariot races were held during the Roman Empire, St. Sophia Museum built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian circa AD 535, and the legendary palace of Ottoman sultans- Topkapi Palace. Of course I made sure there would be plenty of time to shop the market, most likely getting lost for a full day in the spice bazaar.
Temple of Aphrodite
Julie Anne Rhodes: fast cars and men
Next was a journey rich in history to Sirince, Esphesos, and Aphrodisias on the Agean sea named after the Goddess Aphrodite. We would explore aqueducts, temples, theaters, and palaces in addition to Turkish coffee ceremonies and wine tasting (or in my case… wine sniffing). Capped off with the Formula 1 Grand Prix back in Istanbul before, just like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, returning to my real life in Los Angeles.
Julie Anne Rhodes grounded
I was shaky but determined to go when Iceland’s Volcanic God’s threatened to disrupt my travel plans, but when British Airways announced a strike on the very day I was to leave for Istanbul I decided the universe was sending up too many red flags to travel at this time. Unlike my hero The Traveler(who generously gave me tips on where to eat in Instanbul), I am but a tourist at this stage of life, and had to be back on time for business obligations. I despondently canceled, and for the time being at least, I will have to limit my Turkish delights to this fabulous recipe Banul Basol shared with me recently.
Artichoke with Fava Beans
This is a delicious example of Mediterranean cooking that also happens to be one of the healthiest diets in the world. Typically, the diet is rich in healthy fats, plant proteins in addition to smaller portions of animal proteins, and tons of fiber.
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 8 pieces of peeled artichokes (Here we buy them fresh and peeled in late spring and all through summer. Perhaps you’ll find them frozen in the U.S.)
- 1 lb fresh fava beans.
- 1/2 bunch green onion, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 bunch of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (or 2 tablespoon dried mint flakes)
- juice of 2 lemons
- 1 bunch of dill, chopped
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt
Directions:
1). Heat oil in a broad pot, stir onion and green onion, and let them soften a bit. Add fava beans, mint, and half of dill. Stir for 3-4 minutes. Add lemon juice, sugar, and hot water.
2). Place artichokes in the pot: pointy sides facing up. Seal the pot with aluminum foil and place the lid. Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes (or until beans are cooked). Once you turn it off, you can add salt.
3). When the artichokes have cooled a bit, place them on a serving plate and stuff them with fava beans using a spoon. You can use the rest of dill on top as decoration.
Serving Suggestions: Eat as an appetizer or one of several dishes served tapas style as a meal.
P.S. Nearly last chance to enter the competition to win CLOAK & DAGGER BUTTERFLY by Amanda Eliasch. Enter your “ladies that lunch menu”here. Competition closes May 30th. Our top four favorite menus will be posted in a pole on the blog, and YOU will choose the lucky winner.
@JulieAnneRhodes
8:51 pm
I am going to get so fat learning your dishes, lol. At least my family thinks your dishes are geat too.
10:01 pm
Hope you're feeling beter. Perhaps you will reschedule and take a little MORE time to enjoy Istanbul when all is mended? HUGSJustine Owls
8:25 am
Sorry to hear you missed out on a super trip.Thanks for the Salty Caramel Ice Cream – fusspot Fiancé completely blown away by it.
1:49 pm
I have a friend from Turkey and would love to visit there one day.
3:59 pm
That artichoke/fava dish looks amazing.Mark Downie
4:17 pm
Carly, and JT… nothing makes me happier than to hear feedback like that! This recipes really healthy and shouldn't put any weight on Carly, and I promise more like it to follow.Thank you Justine. I will make it to Turkey one day. It has such an interesting history, and is way too beautiful to miss. Something to look forward to.
4:25 pm
Wow JT! Now that is recipe feedback I love hearing, and I love that your family like the recipes too Carly. They may seem different, but most are still kid friendly. This one will not make you fat… it is very healthy, and I promise more healthy ones to follow.Thanks Justine. I will get there one day! I'm sure you will too Elle.Doesn't that picture make your mouth water Mark?!
5:51 pm
thanks!! will be there next month:))Michele Llanos
5:52 pm
Rub it in! Just kidding… have a wonderful time!
1:06 am
Always love the "Jewels" babe xxBeth Bovaird
1:40 am
I can tell from the ingredients it's low glycemic.Nice. Another reason why mediterranian diets are so healthy.Mark Downie
1:41 am
Full of flavor and really filling too Mark!
9:52 am
A friend of mine hails from Turkey and has been living in Australia for 12 years now. She goes back every year to visit family and brings back home some wonderful fabric, some of which I have never seen before. They really have some amazing things there. I think I would go crazy with the shopping if I were to ever visit. What a nice simple dish to have on a lovely summers day. Looks quite delicious.Aussie Mum
5:19 pm
The Artichoke with Fava Beans is delicious! I didn't even think about fabrics, but I'm sure I would have brought half the spice bazaar back had I gone.I am determined to go to Turkey one day… they keep running a tourism ad for the country on TV, and it looks so beautiful, steep in fascinating history, and terribly exotic. I'm hooked.
8:28 pm
Ohhh… It really looks yummy! I will be visiting Istanbul next week and I can't wait to see there beautiful spots and this delicious food. I will really try something new in their place.
5:44 am
The world was really determined to keep you from traveling! How disappointing.
5:53 am
You had better report back, Gabriel…. every last yummy detail!
3:06 am
The God's are not with me too…I think you will recover the wasted time with another great trip soon! XOp.s. how is your ankle?Martina D' Epifanio
3:07 am
It is still there, and still broken. I'm ready for some change of luck.
8:10 am
I think you will recover the wasted time with another great trip soon, thanx for the pictures.
8:17 pm
Ohh! Its looking delicious. yummy. I really like it. thanks for the recipe.
6:08 pm
Wow, It looks so beautiful, steep in fascinating history, and terribly exotic. I'm hooked. thanx for posting.
3:27 pm
This recipes really healthy and shouldn't put any weight on Carly, and I promise more like it to follow, thanx for sharing.
8:25 am
I love that your family like the recipes too Carly. They may seem different, but most are still kid friendly. This one will not make you fat… it is very healthy, and I promise more healthy ones to follow. thanx for the share.
8:52 am
I'm curious on that Artichoke with Fava Beans is this a Jewish food?
4:05 pm
I will be visiting Istanbul next week and I can't wait to see there beautiful spots and this delicious food. I will really try something new in their place, thanx for posting.
4:56 pm
Hi Lynn – since it is a blog about Istanbul I think it would follow that the recipe is Turkish.
5:11 pm
I think They really have some amazing things there. I would go crazy with the shopping if I were to ever visit. thanx for the share.
4:55 pm
That dish really looks delicious. Its unfamiliar to me but I am excited to give a try..
8:07 pm
This is easy, lower-fat version of warm artichoke-cheese dip. In new research, artichoke hearts tested surprisingly high in antioxidant activity — even more per cup than strawberries.
7:04 pm
I just one to clip all the tips and bake it so that you just peel a leaf at a time and scrape off the meat of the artichoke with your teeth? They serve them this way at several restaurants. Thanks
11:22 am
This recipes really healthy and shouldn't put any weight on Carly, and I promise more like it to follow, thanx for the share.
10:24 am
I love this recipe – it is labor intensive because of shelling and peeling fava beans and preparing the artichokes, but delicious. I was afraid it might be a bit dull because there is almost no seasoning.
12:38 pm
Nice pictures! Its look like you guys had a great vacations. Nice post!
11:14 am
I hope you will recover the wasted time with another great trip soon! Enjoy!
5:01 pm
I think I would go crazy with the shopping if I were to ever visit, thanx.