After participating in the last month's DHSPC, I was looking forward to see what challenge would Simon get for us this month. The idea of recreating someone's work is not easy specially when that person is best at what they do. It is intimidating and definitely challenging but there is always a lot of learning involved in the process.
I am sure we all have our own comfort zone when it comes to photography. Some like a dark tone and some prefer it light and soft. We all have our own choice of angles, setup and we like to stick to those.
Well, this challenge helps you do the opposite. I had to get out of the zone, step out of my comfort area and try something new.
This month Simone chose a simple and delicious Bruschetta recipe styled by Donna Hay and photographed by Con Poulos from the cookbook 'Seasons'. I loved the casual mood in the photo with the chair in the background. The styling was neat, keeping the entire focus on that plate with the light falling from the right.
The setup looked easy until I started working on it.
Interpreting that piece of art was so difficult! To start with, I didn't have the right props. I kept changing the angles, tried different plates and yet I couldn't capture what I was hoping to. I kept clicking non-stop and what you see below is the best I could pick from the lot.
Succeeded? No, not even close! Happy ? Yes, I tried.
Click here to know more about the challenge that happens every month.
Talking about the dish, it's one yummy Bruschetta that we had for dinner with some soup on the side.
Just when I thought we had enough pesto in the last few weeks, here I was making pesto once again. But this time, it was with arugula. These spiky leaves have a lovely peppery flavor and since I chose to use smaller arugula, it had a milder taste and was less bitter.
I had to make very slight changes to the original recipe to suit our taste buds and also because I ran out of few ingredients. This was the first time I tried arugula pesto and for sure, I am going to make this more often.
Recipe from Donna Hay Magazine as seen on Jungle Frog Cooking
Bruschetta with Arugula Pesto – Donna Hay Styling and Photography Challenge #6
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread
- 1 clove garlic (cut in half)
- extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle on the bread
- few slices of fresh mozzarella
- 8 slices of pancetta
- black pepper (coarsely ground)
- chili flakes (optional)
for the arugula pesto
- 1 cup fresh arugula
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 4 walnuts (roughly chopped)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients for arugula pesto in a food processor and mix it to make a smooth pesto. I kept a little chunky texture for the pesto as that's how we like it.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and broil it on high for 4 minutes.
- In the meantime, heat a pan and cook the pancetta for about few seconds on each side to make it crispy.
- Once the bread comes out of the oven, rub garlic on the hot bread.
- Spread some pesto on the bread. Place 2 slices of mozzarella and two pieces of pancetta on top.
- Sprinkle some chili flakes and enjoy!
Nutrition
Eha
Arugula and walnuts in a pesto: must try soonest! Such a simple recipe too. And the photography is absolutely superb 🙂 !
Simone
Yes! You made it again this month... Love your take on the challenge and I agree that it was more difficult then it looked at first glance.. 😉 Those props of mine where wrong too and completely refused to get into the right angle... But regardless of the original your photos are just lovely!
Kankana Saxena
Thanks Simone 🙂 It was fun working on it and I am already looking forward to what you bring next month!
Rose ( Magpie's Recipes)
Whaow! I think you came really close Kankana! LOVELY your pics are! My fave is the one of the leaves in the bowl.
Nandita
Stunning shot and an equally stunning recipe. Loved every bit of the post 🙂
Anu
Nice shots. Lovely pesto sauce
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Love arugula and pesto made with them must be lovely.
Spandana
The pictures are very beautiful kankana... they came very close to the original!!
Pesto looks great!!
sayantani
your pictures are so beautiful Kankana. i first go through the whole post just to see them.
Rosa
A lovely bruschetta! Great pictures, well done.
Cheers,
Rosa
Shabs
Beautiful pics , just love them Kankana 😀 .
Priyanka
Great work sis, you have captured the shot beautifully. You are genius....love u and ur work 🙂
Nash at plateful
Girl, your shot of arugula leaves and the pesto is simply stunning!!
pavithra
Awesome Kankana.. really loved the way u captured. Very beautiful dear.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
The efforts and results counts more than anything else. Love the way you've made the photo, yours. Of course with the guidance from Donna. But it was yours truly at the end 🙂
Bravo!
Reem | Simply Reem
Beautiful Kankana!!!
this looks absolutely wonderful, you really captured the image...
I was planning to participate in this one but this month was all tied up for me...n Will hopefully do the next month challenge...
Kankana Saxena
You should Reem. It's a great way to learn 🙂
Alyssa
I think you did a wonderful job recreating her photo. The bruschetta looks delicious too!
sreelu
Kankana ,lovely shots you come very close to the original
Amrita (Beetle's Kitchen Escapades)
OMG! Seriously gorgeous pictures! And this bruschetta looks delightful! It's got bacon (or that's what it looks like in your photos so that's what I'm going to sub with :D) AND pesto, I can't ask for anything more!
Grishma @ZaikaZabardast
aaahhh actually I was waiting for this post of yours since you made pesto last in your last post. Love the setup and picture. Good job grl!
Kankana Saxena
Well looks like I am pesto high this month 🙂
Anita Menon
Kankana, I loved your styling and photo more than the original.. 😀