We take in good faith
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 1:11PM 
I had planned to share a recipe today, but in the midst of holiday weekend chaos and revelry, I came to the conclusion that it required another go round before we gave it our attention.
Nonetheless, on this sunny Tuesday, with a sky that's a clear, true blue, I came to say hello. It's a day for company, don't you think? One made for visits and a chat.
The latest UPPERCASE, the spring edition, has just come out; it's issue 13 and is packed from beginning to end with good things. You can preview it here, if you'd like.
My contribution to its lineup is a story on how we can conjure up good weather and good luck through food. How a gloomy day can be made spritely with citrus, or the smell of cinnamon brings us to fruitful September. I touch upon superstition, too, like pomegranate seeds and their mythical ties to fertility. In many ways, the story is a lot about hope, the bolstering effect of positive thinking, and the small measures we take in good faith.
The recipe is for Lucky Spring Rice, and that's what you see in the photos up top, a dish with much in common with Lebanese Mujaddara, Persian Jewelled Rice, Egyptian Kushari and the Indian Pilaus I grew up with. There's lentils, and nuts, a mix of rice and fried pasta bits. Here's how I describe it there:
[This is] a rice that’s balanced. There’s the weighty, chewy comfort of starch that suits the spring days that still run cool. Then there’s the bright sweetness of fruit both fresh and dried, against the musky, fragrance of cinnamon, coriander, cumin and clove. There’s the spark of pepper mollified by the cool of mint and grassy cilantro. There’s a twang of sharpness, as life must have some to offset everything else, and there’s a richness too, which rounds out the flavours.
It's hearty and satisfying, and a meal that can be eaten out in the yard with plates balanced on laps. No fuss, spring evening food, which is to say pretty much what I'd like for lunch today.
In other (read: fun, amazing, oh-my-gosh-really) news, I have been nominated for two awards over at the Saveur 3rd Annual Food Blog Awards, which explains that big banner over there. I am a finalist for Best Cooking Blog and Best Food Photography, and I cannot come up with sufficient thanks for those who nominated me. It is a true, jaw-dropping honour to be in such brilliant company. For those who'd like to vote, the polls are now open and run until April 26. As always, I am grateful for all the support.
Well then, I'm off. I wish you both fair weather and fine fortune, and we'll meet back here soon. 'Til then, pals.
UPPERCASE magazine issue 13 can be purchased online, or visit their site to find your local stockist.
saveur magazine, uppercase in announcement 
Reader Comments (19)
I love this!!
Congratulations Tara! I'm rooting for you!! :D
Congrats on your nominations. You definitely deserve them. I adore your blog. Gorgeous photos and such wonderful recipes :)
Congratulations!!! :)
This rice looks amazing! And congrats on being a Saveur finalist!
Oh my goodness - this rice looks like a lil bit of heaven and just what the springttime ordered! Any chance to get the recipe???
Looks completely divine! Can't wait to see the latest issue!
I was looking for a recipe too - we have friends coming on the weekend and this would be lovely ....
Lovely colourful photos and very true what you say about gloomy days being made spritely with citrus! I'm watching the rain roll down the window in Newcastle but have lunch of rice paper rolls full of prawns, green papaya and herbs so that should brighten everything up a touch.
Anna x
Congrats on the nominations :) So exciting, but you just put mujaddaara in my head, they used to serve it in my boarding school, I have never been able to pull off a version as good.
Awesome photos. This dish looks terrific!
gorgeous, love that first shot
Such loveliness, as always. Now I'm off to check out UPPERCASE.
Thank you, everyone! It is a real thrill to be nominated, and I am so happy to see the rice has received so warmly.
For those interested in the recipe, I'm sorry that it is not available online. However, I am giving away some copies of the magazine! Check out the entry from April 13, 2012 for details.
Cheers!
Could you please e-mail or upload the recipe and method for this divine looking salad!?
Beautiful and healthy too!
Good stuff! Recipe looks fantastic! congratulations!
Your photos are absolutely stunning! I especially love the top photo in this post with all the ingredients laid out. Delicate and beautiful, must try this recipe!
Looks lovely. I'm pretty sure it tastes lovely too