LACASAPARK

Un Piccolo Iron Chef: Gael!

jaehee — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:42:26 +0000

Gael’s Plum flash in a Plum Skin boat with Peony leaf Sail floating on organic Apple cider ocean and Blueberry Buoys. A “Dessert” Gael says.

Gael was a always good eater. When I started solid food along the breast feeding, Gael started rather falling a sleep on me and eat up the solid food. I used to tickle his ears to wake him up to keep drinking but it didn’t work so well for another couple months. So there it was I stopped the breast feeding around 9 months as Gael would rather have solid food. And he absolutely loved it. On a steam tray, I would put down all different veggies that had all those different colors. Carrots in Orange, Zucchini in Green, Potato in Light Yellow….Like any mom would do. I also made all sort of mushrooms for Gael. Porto Bello was a good meaty texture he loved. Oyster mushrooms, Shitake and also Champignon. I made them all. Cut them into small pieces and put them on the pan with a spoonful of Grandma Livia’s Extra virgin Olive oil from Italy. How abut Tofu? He must have had trays and trays of them, it was excellent source of protein and such easy food to eat without all those teeth. Then later on, there was ” PASTA.” Soooo Good! Isn’t it? Penne with light fresh tomato sauce. So easy to grab and fun to eat. The Penne Rigate ( penne with lines) were the one I would usually buy. The lines hold sauce nicely. So Gael would have good amount of sauce on his pasta as he wasn’t using a fork just yet. I think we always cared about Gael tasting things properly. Not just being fed.

Then there is all this cooking we do at home. And Gael is always a part of it. Both Emiliano and I believe we eat much better at home. We cook simple and hearty food. We cook all the time. We do all sort of international cooking. All these prepping, shopping and brain storming is fun and we do it together. Gael gets so fascinated and enjoys watching us and always like to help. Washing up tomatoes was maybe the first Gael’s action in the kitchen. I think we allowed and taught him using a small table knife for chopping since he was abut 6 years old.

Gael lovess to use this dish. It’s a shape of little fish that’s elevated by a stand. We got this dish in Livorno, Italy.

The chef.

Gael’s famous “Juice cocktail”. Gael likes to make this while we are prepping dinner or when friends are visiting. He will just glide into the kitchen quietly and start chopping. No big talk is needed. And I love that! There will be always one big surprise at the bottom in your glass!

Making Panzerotti at Beppe’s. Southern Italian dish. Sort of Fried mini Calzone or Gigantic ravioli. Either way. Here Gael at 6.

Guess which one is Gael’s.

One of Gael’s Favorite ingredients, Cucumber! Now Gael makes his own cucumber salad. I taught him to use mandolin slicer ( always under my supervision). He likes it with apple cider vinegar, salt and olive oil. Gael had written a food truck plan selling all dishes based on Cucumbers a few weeks ago! It comes with truck design, his menu and prices. Oh yes and the combo dishes! Many brilliant ides!

Emi and Gael making pizza dough. Gael here at 6.

Gael cracking eggs for an Easter cake with Riccota cheese, spinach and layers of Filo dough.

Here Gael making dumplings with me. Gael at 5.

Gael’s Excellent job here on shaping dumplings! So cute his little hand.

Here Gael eying on and putting his finger into the batter for fried zucchini flowers. Gael at age 4.

Gael looking over Philipp making apple pies.

Now Gael’s almost 9 years old, Gael volunteers to set up the table and he always puts his flare on it. Gael gets creative with the way he wraps the napkins around the fork and knife or the position of glasses next to plates. He will run between kitchen to the table with plated food for each guest. Gael had well developed amazing palette for food at his only almost 9 years old. Kale, mushroom, carrot, mustard green, tossed salad, arugula his favorite salad green, all the shellfish you can imagine since 3 years old, he started talking to Cheese shop man asking for tasting and got his Cheese list started already, truffle oil does kick a notch for him over his meat, pasta and cheese, al dente means al dente for all the pasta he eats, beans and particular way of cooked rice, loves sashimi and sushi… the list goes on and he’s happy with any great hearty food and willing to try all. I think it all comes from his open mind and our effort of teaching him to be that way.

Gael, I think it’s about a time for you to learn to make a few pasta dishes! Sharpen your knife and roll up you sleeves! Here comes mama to show you a few things. Love you Gael!

VivA Food, VivA Gael! A little Iron Chef!

A Sound of Music!

jaehee — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:31:36 +0000

Music brings people together. Emi holding little cutie Marlowe, Gael and Milo. They are all facing Nik, our front man of tonight’s jam session! At Jess and Nik’s home.

Saturday night with good old friends and new friends at Jess’s lovely loft in Clinton hill. Prosecco, white wine or whatever you wish. Nik and Jess got it all covered with beautiful arrange of cheese and crispy fried whole little fish, Marithes were just perfect starters. Lovely old friend Else totally surprised us when we walked in!! It has been So long Else! Else was visiting NYC from Israel for her business. It was so so good to see you and catch up a little. Then introduction to a new lovely family Francesco and Carin with a beautiful kid, Milo! Milo just enrolled into P.S 11 the same school where Gael goes to and the fact that Milo had well traveled around the world including living in Italy for the last few years is just exciting for Gael and us! So many things in common! The age, Italian speaking, the same school and traveling makes being together much more fun. There is this instant connection. They both are into soccer and basketball. And the last but not least, Music!

Nik leading Milo.

Emi and Marlowe in the matching outfit!

Emi singing and goofing around. Ahh it’s so much fun! Gael on a drum.

Love you kids!

Marlowe gotta try it!

Just like Emi, Gael’s excellent at coming up with instant lyrics that would never ever stop! We are dying laughing and so as Milo. Milo keep it up, You will be amazing. Gael and Marlowe, love you two!

Hats off to Nik and Jess. Thanks again for the lovely night together.

Viva Friends!

Chicco Loves Paola: Celestino, Brooklyn

jaehee — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:41:59 +0000

Beautiful people. Beautiful mind. Beautiful food. This hidden gem in Brooklyn, Celestino will melt your heart with all the charm you can’t ask any more! If you haven’t been yet, you should.

Celestino

562 Halsey St, nr. Stuyvesant Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Auguri Paola!!! Bravo Chicco!! Grazie per l’invito!!

Kraftwerk + Francois K: MoMA PS1

jaehee — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:30:07 +0000

Kraftwerk, Die Robotor, 1978 at Kraftwek Music Festival, MoMa PS1.

No, we were not able to get tickets to Kraftwerk’s Retrospective Spectaculars at MoMa. But we definitely checked out the 2 day Kraftwerk Music Festival to celebrate this awesome event at MoMa’s sister museum, PS1 in Queens on Sunday. “All ages are welcome” is my kind of event so we can take Gael with us to have him experience something more stimulating, creative and out of ordinary. On top of it, the hosting DJ for the Sunday event was mine and Emi’s all time favorite, Francois K, the father and the house DJ of our much beloved good old time dance hall, Body and Soul. What good fun and memories we have there…!! The weather was fantastic hang out outdoor and also it was a definitely event we wanted to check out. It has been a while having gone to listen to Francois K and this tie was even more special that he was spinning all of his own spin on 8 albums of Kraftwerks that have been loved by millions of people for all these years.

The dome was originally built for PS1’s Sunday Sessions. Juan Atkins on Saturday and Francois K on Sunday were spinning inside along the multiple images of Kraftwerk. Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Walking in!

Amazing Music! Francois K

Gael was super fascinated by all the images and it was ” COOL” music to him!

The indoor sounds flows to outdoor. ( Real) Cool Crowds chilling on steps to the museum entrance. Love you all.

And the museum pop up air stream book store. Brilliant.

And the only outdoor dancer: him.

Not kidding. I had this urge to join him. I was just not brave enough to embarrass Gael.

Always love the murals in PS1.

Re visiting for the 10th times.. James Turrell’s light filled sight specific project, ” Meeting”

I still ask myself if this is for real. The real open sky light. With real breeze flowing into the room.

Under the sky light. People like to chill.

At the Beer and burger garden. PS1

Philipp

One more hit of Kraftwerk! I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS VIDEO.

ViVa MuSiCa!

Eggs and Prosecco!

jaehee — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:48:10 +0000

Sitting out in the garden: Dani, Robert, Tamara, Gael from the left. The sun feels warm and lazy on your back and well chilled crisp prosecco is refreshing and perfect with our on going Saturday Brunch!

Ahhh Spring has Sprung! Early morning 10 mile long run at Prospect Park through beautiful breeze and fully blossomed cherry trees gave me just right boost and perfect mood to prepare a brunch for Tamara and Robert who were visiting from London. Beppe and Dani would join us too! While I am running, I am thinking of gorgeous meaty oyster mushrooms, garden salad with dandelion leaves, roasted tomatoes… and what else….Oh yes, little flowers will be lovely too. I’ll also grab some freshly made turkey links at the Saturday Farmer’s market at Prospect park. Some good fresh eggs and well ripen avocados.. Yum…!! Running faster now !

Running to Prospect park. Our neighbor, Clinton Hill’s Spring switch has been officially turned ON! So lovely around here…

Get going Sages and Oyster Mushrooms ( grey ones are usually bigger and meatier than yellow ones) on hot olive oil. Just some sea salt.

Roasting tomatoes with onion and garlic. These babies are ready. Yum!

Mixed greens with dandelions.

Yay, Tamara and Robert are here!

Dani Fu showing off lingering tan from Miami trip.

Sausages are Eggs are being done on an BBQ in the garden.

Digging in. Sunny side ups or Scrambled. However you wish! We are all easy here. Some lean turkey links to go with. And drizzle of truffle oil over our salad with crusty whole wheat bread…. Beppe slicing some… Pour you some, Pour me some. Keep passing them around… and repeat!

After a big brunch, its not enough for Gael. Beppe runs in to make world’s fastest home made pizza. So lucky Gael!

Good friends. Good food. Good garden.

Good Spring Folks!

Easter Brunch!

jaehee — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:38:16 +0000

Kicking off an Easter Brunch at Sweet Home Casarosa’s with Kaja, Jay, Jessica and Nick!

A last minute Easter Brunch we planned felt nothing short in any way! A good sunny day. Check! Hearty delicious home cooked meal. Check! Gathering with a circle of good friends we haven’t seen a while. Check Check Check!! Especially we missed out Kaja’s birthday a couple weeks ago, it was a perfect occasion to spend some good afternoon with friends over a good meal and laughs.

Easter always does an official start of Spring for me in my great spirit apart from all the religious reasons for the most people out there, and Here I am happily ready to celebrate ” Pasqua Italiana: Italian Easter !”

A Menu first!

Prepping, Chatting and Sipping… The cake to the right is Kaja’s Easter cake with Peaches and Yogurt!

Thanks for the flowers, Jess and Nick!

Potatoes ready to be popped into the Oven. Rosemerry, olive oil and Sea salt.

OK, We are Starting the brunch! The first, Crostini al Pate’ Toscano. Mamma Livia’s recipe. Chicken liver, garlic, crushed pepper corn, butter, sage, sea salt and a tea spoon of vinegar on a hot crusty piece of bread…!!

As we make them, they fly off fast! Hot, nutty, salty, buttery over the crusty and Soooo savory.. Delicious!!

Wash them down with Spritiz!

Shhhhhh.. Our secret! A Leg of lamb roasting over the tub of roasting potato. Where does all the juice go? You do the math.

Slowly cooked for hours. A whole organic chicken makes rich and much much flavorful delicious broth! Can I say this is So traditional Italian Easter soup with a whole boiled egg but then Also Soooo everyday Korean? We go together in so many ways. It still surprises me.

The couple, Jay and Kaja.

Yay, One toast to the day, One toast to the friendship! Check out Gael’s face. And the center and to the left, Jess and Nick! Cheers to you all!

That’s right peeps. This soup is so comforting and so delicious and So Easter!

Such a big boy now. Having a good time.

Now the Chef carving and us watching drooling…

Nothing like perfectly sauteed Broccoli Rabe with roasted lamb.

Gael making sure to check off each course.

The Brunch goes on from 2:00 and now for 5 hours… Jay and Jaehee

Sitting out in the garden with Dolci now. Kaja’s amazing Peaches and Yogurt cake. So delicate and delicious!

Emi’s airy and melting in your mouth, ” Mascarpone folded with Nutella and fresh Mixed berry compote” Ahhhh, Life is Good! And Happy Belated Birthday Kaja!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter or just good One happy Sunday! Emi, Gael and Jaehee

An Epic Life of….

jaehee — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:39:30 +0000

Gael with the Entire Ocean to himself, Samana, Dominican Republic.

Mommy, Daddy and Gael will be Perfect. But Daddy and Gael is just sweet as it is. An Epic Life of Casarosa’s continues here in Dominican Republic… Samana, Playa Rincon, Las Galeras, Puerto Escondido…

It’s not at Pink all over Disney Land, it’s not at all inclusive busy resort with a stranger nanny… Just Gael and Daddy in front of honest and powerful Mother Nature. You make your life where you want to be.

Here come taste Rich and Richer pouring shower of Incredible Nature with Gael..

VivA NaTuRE!!!

Mommy and Daddy loves you So much Gael!

My Sweet Valentines!

jaehee — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:52:03 +0000

Setting up our simple yet delicious meal prepared by Emi. 27 days aged rib eye and gorgeous grilled jumbo prawns with garlic and ginger. 02-14-12

I am terrible at Valentine day or any sort of day. Actually I completely forgot about it all day until Emi texted me. Ahhh… Work consumes me so much there’s never enough room to think about such things really. Walking back home from Angela’s, Gael tells me Angela prepared 3 course meal with Meat stuffed Whole lobsters and home made chocolate dipped strawberries. Hmmm. Feeling bit guilty that I am about to walk into the house with empty handed for both Emi and Gael. But also I have this sort of slight hopeful excitement that Emi would have some plan for us..? Please Emi, that would be So great if we would have some nice dinner with a good bottle of wine…! That would make up for my nothing-ness for this Valentine day…!

And this is why I have the best Husband and a Son in the world!

Gael ready to give me a little back rub. So sweet!

Valentine day = Jaehee’s day

A sweet life of Casarosas. LOvE you GuYs!!!!

ALL: Maurizio Cattelan, Guggenheim, NYC

jaehee — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:56:37 +0000

ALL: Maurizio Cattelan, Guggenheim, NYC

The second time it was finally for us to able to get in. What a popular exhibit it was. We were just able to make to the show one week before the closing. Personally I’ll say maybe this Retrospective of his all of these years was the best visual images he was able to create by bringing many individual pieces he has done over the last 10 years. 130 pieces!. And Guggenheim was the PERFECT blank canvas to do it. Public can easily navigate Mobile like hanging each Art piece by walking on the spiral passage ways. at your eye level!!

Here are some of my pics if you didn’t make to the exhibit. From the ground to the top!

Mr. Cattelan in his blue sweater.

LOvE Art!

Completely Beauty: Biophilia, Bjork at NY Hall of Science

jaehee — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:14:17 +0000

Bjork and the Choir from her home country, Iceland performing Biophilia: Live at NY Hall of Science, Queens, NY

It’s our 4th concert of Bjork. I feel blessed to go see her. Her Freedom and Beauty Completely Shakes Me. Her Fearless and Honest Voice Makes Me Cry. She is Way WAY Ahead of Where We Are at Right Now. I Completely Admire and Am Deeply Impressed. She makes me feel Humble. Her Intellectually Genius Musicality. Her Desire and Curiosity to know Technology. Her Restless Research.

She Rocks My World. Now She Rocks the Universe.

It happens to be Gael’s Favorite Museum. Flushing, Queens.

At the venue. Architectural details remind me of Casa Milla and Sagrada Familia of Gaudi in Barcelona.

Bjork’s one of the most beloved instrument, Harp. The opening lines of ”Pagan Poetry” and her new song , “Moon” all starts with Harp.

Bjork singing to “Hang”. A new generation instrument that makes this sort of softly vibrating and echoing a monk’s Bell like sound. It makes peaceful and unbelievably beautiful sound.

Bjork is my Hope for the Future.

bjork.com