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
Sukanya
I think you did a fantastic job, loved your every shot, crisp and it looks so vibrant and fresh. argula pesto !!! will try it next time.
sonia
Hi Kankana,
The bruschetta and pesto are awesome combo and urs is looking amazing. I am sure it must be delicious to the core and cant wait to try some for me on the weekend....! Have a good week ahead. Cheers, Sonia
Krithi
Superb clicks Kankana.... Great going!!
mustardseed
Beautiful photographs! I love how green and fresh the pesto looks.
rebecca
love this adore bruschetta 🙂
Ira Rodrigues
well done on the photograph, I love it!
Joanne
These photos are gorgeous! I especially love the bowl with the arugula.
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
Wow! Kankana.. This post blew me away! I love your styling and the photographs! I think I can honestly say it is as good as the original! And I love the recipe too... Sounds really tasty! Thanks for sharing! And great job... you are really talented!
nisha
supa like all the pics,,in fact i like ure way better than the mag 😉
And this is such an easy snak kinda dish, perfect 2 serve as appetizers at parties as well. Must try making argula pesto sometime
Jayasri
Wow, beautiful photography, loved the pesto in the jar, so vibrant and colourful and inviting, I came here seeing it in foodbuzz top 9, enjoyed your photography and want to make that pesto :),I have made pesto with different ones this is interesting recipe, is arugula called rocket here in UK, I need to check that out, so I can try this pesto.., I don't have a good camera, I take mine from my iphone!, someday I would learn photograph from all you bloggers 🙂
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb
Hi Kankana!
dont be intimidated, everybody started small. I think so u did a great job. your pics captured my eyes! =)
I love arugula pesto, in fact I had posted a reipe on my blog about it. Its such a unique pesto type. I gotta try yours with bruschetta one day. Siriously delicious!
thanks for sharing your experience.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
I admire you for keep challenging to improve your photography. I'd be intimidated to even give this kind of challenge a try (honestly). I'll be so stressed that I won't even feel excited like you do! Great job on the photograph. I really like how you did it. And the bruschetta with arugula pesto with pancetta! Oh my, YUMMY!!!!
Farwin @ Loveandotherspices
Love the photo with the pesto ! And your version of the photos are wonderful.I've been wanting to participate for sometime but lack of props holds me back.
Kala
This is exactly the kind of dish I love. Your photos have made me so hungry for bruschetta with pancetta and pesto!
Sanjeeta kk
Oh..I love the wonderful bright green color of your pesto! And belated happy anniversary, Kankana.
Kankana Saxena
Thanks S for your wish 🙂
Asmita
This looks divine! Love brushetta and pancetta, both. As always, the photos are amazing!
Divya Yadava
Lovely photos Kankana! So fresh and vibrant. I'm going to have to try this challenge one of these days!
Jessica
This is absolutely beautiful!! I love every single one of the photos. Don't be too hard on yourself. I really do think you have an eye for art and photography!
Tadka Pasta
Beautiful! Loved all the pictures, Kankana! The styling is wonderful, the arugula looks so fresh and the pesto is vibrant!
Nicole
You did such a lovely job with this challenge. Great texture in the pancetta.