Paper Palate

Meat is not the most photogenic of items. It is generally brown. Brown with shades of lighter brown. It just sits there in all is brownness. It is also why it seldom features highly in the results of such photo challenges such as Does My Blog Look Good In This.

Page 63 of the November Delicious has the most drool-worthy of meat photos that shows just what can be achieved. It’s a stunning photo of Roast Rib of Beef. The lighting helps, of course, as do the props (an old carving knife, a marble cutting board and in the background ,a copper dish of potatoes), but it is such a wonderful image that it cannot help but inspire - both in trying to achieve similar results for my own photographic tinkering, but also in the kitchen. The juiciness of the meat really does make you want to cook the dish (one by Rick Stein).

Unless you are a vegetarian, of course. In which case the dairy-free Pumpkin Pie and the Risotto with Mushrooms and Radicchio - both with equally superb photographs - will be more in keeping with your lifestyle.

My ‘lifestyle’ generally revolves around desserts. There is a Glazed Pear with Macadamia Tart with Anise and Vanilla recipe for me to play with, a rather delicious sounding Orange, Quince and Almond Torte with Quince Topping that I’ll try this week (me being a huge fan of Quince) and Sweet B’stilla Cardamom Cream, Plum Compote and Pistachios which should satisfy my cravings. Burnt Creams with Mango, Lime and Five-Spice look rather tempting too. As do the Ricotta, Polenta and Apple Fritelle with Cinnamon Sugar.

In case you were worried that I live off dessert alone, I have already tried the Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Tart (the photo of which was not photogenic in the slightest) and the Gnocchi in Gorgonzola Sauce with Spinach and Toasted Walnuts. Spinach - that’s the good stuff, right?