megan.christine

geometry for the belly

2012-02-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

images hildebrand & kenedy

as i sat grazing on some appetizers last night after arriving in denver to visit family i noticed a cookbook on display across the kitchen. void of color, the black and white shapes jumped off the cover and caught my eye. the book, the geometry of pasta, is a collaboration between caz hildebrand and jacob kenedy. hildebrand, a talented graphic designer, beautifully illustrated the shapes of italian pasta through black and white graphics. the composition is artistically laid out throughout the pages, and almost dance around the recipes and writing by kenedy, owner of london's bocca di lupo. inspired by the "italians' preoccupation with choosing the right pasta to go with the right sauce," the book includes an inventory of pastas, organized by shape "pastas a-z." each section includes the history, evolution and best use of each pasta. pasta varies across italy, and kennedy captures the philosophy behind the recipes. with over 100 authentic recipes and an index of sauces, flipping through the pages ignites your appetite. one of my favorite dishes is cavatelli con salsiccia e broccoletti (broccoli rabe and sausage). the recipe below reminds me of a similar dish i had years ago at trattoria i trulli (in encinitas), in which they use orecchiette pasta. i have recreated this many times (often using broccoli, instead of broccoli rabe) and it's incredibly simple and delicious. bon appetit!

cavatelli con salsiccia e broccoletti

1 recipe "2 finger" cavatelli

1 small bunch (3/4 lb-1 lb) broccoli rabe

1/2 lb italian sausage, skin removed, crumbled

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

6 tablespoons of EVOO

3/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

grated pecorino, to serve

put the pasta to boil. in a separate pot boil the trimmed broccoli rabe in well salted water (3-4 minutes). put the crumbled sausage, garlic and oil in a pan, and fry over medium heat until starting to colour - break the meat up with a spoon as much as you can. add the red pepper flakes, then a few seconds later the drained broccoli rabe. saute briefly, seasoning with salt and pepper, adding a little pasta water and allowing to bubble down. now add the drained pasta with a few more teaspoons of water. cook together for a minute, and serve with grated pecorino.

m+m: underbelly

2012-02-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

the weather was rather nasty yesterday in san diego, and with the rain and strong breeze, the cool temperatures felt even chillier. i went to meet a friend for lunch and knowing that i wanted something warm, we decided it would be a great time to try underbelly, the japanese ramen bar in little italy. in a tiny space (~1,000 sq feet), part of an incredible jonathan segal glass building on kettner & fir in the heart of little italy, the minimalist interior (by studio number one, mauricio couturier, and paul basile) is brought to life by a giant succulent wall bearing the image of mao zedong (by black lotus floral). the space fills up fast, and thankfully the glass walls double as tabletops, as they fold down blending the indoor and outdoor space to expand the establishment. the flow of fresh air and exposure to the elements would on any other day in san diego be perfect, but with the current weather i had to keep on my jacket and wavered between a craft brew or a hot tea (hopefully they will solve this winter dilemma, perhaps add some ceiling heaters). rumor has it that they are expanding the space into the upstairs and will also include a patio, to all be completed in the summer of 2012. underbelly is a creation of arsulan tafazoll and nathan stanton, and the duo already has some incredible downtown restaurants under their belt; neighborhood, craft & commerce, noble experiment, and el dorado. it lived up to it's expectations, with a large selection of local and international beers (the gold taps are all unmarked) and the small japanese menu is heavy on pork and vegetables. we opted to start with the shrimp gyoza (shrimp, shitake, asparagus and scallions), and both got the vegetable ramen (truffle oil, shitake, hon shimeji oyster mushroom, enoki, white asparagus, topped with bean sprouts, ginger, scallions, seaweed and sesame seeds). while the plates were on the smaller side (they simply wet your palette), the house ramen is a healthy portion. they don't serve the ramen with spoons, and after you've retrieved the "goodies" with your chopsticks, the only option to finish the dish is to pick up the bowl and slurp away (which is encouraged). just as the space is expanding, so is the menu. they plan to add oysters and japanese whiskey, proving that these guys know how to capitalize on a niche market. underbelly has done an incredible job with a difficult space and a unique menu. i will surely be returning.

although they list most of the ingredients on the menu, i thought i'd look into making some homemade japenese ramen myself and found this recipe. i have yet to try it, but it looks relatively easy and healthy.

sprouted kitchen, cookbook

2012-02-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

sara forte, of the sprouted kitchen blog, is now sharing her foodie talent in paper and ink, with her new cookbook, the sprouted kitchen: a tastier take on whole foods, due out september 2012. (pre-order here from amazon). sara's blog captures some of her delicious and healthy recipes, with visually appealing photographs by her husband, hugh (of hugh forte photography). when i was going through one of my 'veggie kicks,' i made a lot of her dishes, all which were full of flavor. so, since i am in the mood to cook this afternoon, i was looking for something with warmth (it's a little chilly today in san diego) and decided on her black bean and butternut soup. in the spirit of the lovely valentine's holiday, it may be worth picking out a recipe for dinner as well. as the proverb says, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. although dining out can be pretty enjoyable too, and there aren't dishes to clean up!

images sprouted kitchen

BLACK BEAN + BUTTERNUT SOUP // Serves 4-6

Some of my measurements are pretty vague, but in a stew-like soup, perfection is not necessary. Taste as you go, add more spice if necessary but beware that both chipotle and cayenne are SPICY, so start small. You can cook your beans from scratch or used canned for the sake of time.

1 Tbsp. coconut or extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 a small head of cabbage, chopped (heaping 2 cups)
3 cups cubed butternut squash (sweet potato would be good too)
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cocoa powder
pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne pepper
2 cups cooked, black beans (about one can, rinsed and drained)
salt to taste

avocado, for garnish
cilantro, for garnish

// tortilla crispies //
3 corn tortillas
scant 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. sea salt

In a heavy bottomed pot, warm the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute until just beginning to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic, cabbage, squash and broth. Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer, cover the pot and cook for about 15-20 minutes for the vegetables to cook.
Add the spices and the beans and stir. Let everything continue to cook another ten minutes for the flavors to blend. Salt to taste. At this point, I did a few pulses with my immersion blender through the soup, because I wanted to thicken up the broth a bit. This is optional, but makes it seem a bit thicker. You could alternatively, run just a bit of the soup through a blender or food processor, and add it back in to the pot. OR a sprinkle of cornmeal will help thicken it as well.

For the tortilla crispies, preheat the oven to 375'. Stack them and slice into thin matchsticks. Spread on a baking sheet, dirzzle with the oil, sprinkle the salt and toss gently to coat. Spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes until they are light brown and crispy, giving the pan a shake halfway through.

Garnish each both with some diced avocado, a handful of chopped cilantro and some of the tortilla crispies! A sprinkle of goat cheese would be quite nice as well.

m+m: ace (palm springs)

2012-02-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

images megan,christine

roughly two hours inland from both san diego and los angeles, palm springs is the perfect place for a quick getaway. the sunny dry weather and seclusion have been drawing in people since the 1920's. i recently met a girlfriend in palm springs to capitalize on some much needed rest & relaxation, and we booked a room at the desert resort, the ace hotel and swim club. nestled below the san jacinto mountains along east palm canyon drive, the resort was close enough to ride a bike or scooter (which they have available) into town, or removed enough to get lost in the tranquil property. the los angeles based firm, commune, redesigned an old howard johnson, creating an affordable boutique hotel that would appeal to the style seeking traveler. with two pools, pumping mellow beats and cooled by giant sun shades, it's easy to kick back and sip on one of their many specialty cocktails and enjoy a bite from the poolside bar, the short bus. the resort also takes advantage of indoor/outdoor living and has fireplaces surrounded by lounge furniture in both public spaces, as well as on the first floor private patios (the ceramic detailing is by artist stan bitters).

the ace hotel started in 1999 with three partners in seattle, and have since opened locations in portland, new york, palm springs and upcoming in los angeles. the style and furnishing of each of the properties is unique and is intended to be a reflection of the specific location. they also look to re-imagine challenged and distressed properties, breathing new life into places like a halfway house or an old motel.

rhino art

2012-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

high above encinitas boulevard, along the pacific highway by moonlight beach, sits a nondescript cement building that i recently learned houses the rhino art company. opened in 1994, this independent locally owned and operated art supply shop has excellent products at competitive prices. the sun drenched space is filled with supplies, books, cards and miscellaneous funky products. the store also doubles as a gallery, with original works displayed along the interior walls. the staff is friendly and accommodating, and having direct experience in the arts themselves, it's great to be able to compare and discuss with a knowledgeable source. having discovered this local gem, i will happily bypass the chain arts & crafts stores from now on.

m+m: prep kitchen (little italy)

2012-02-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients."

Julia Child

in 2008 a talented chef and a culinary school drop out came together and created whisknladle hospitality, which spawned whisknladel restaurant in la jolla. named after a brooklyn underground supper club, the restaurant is actually honoring that tradition by hosting supper clubs every 2nd and last wednesday of the month. in order to offer the same great food, but at a less expensive price and a more relaxed setting, the group opened prep kitchen. quickly prep kitchen became a neighborhood spot, serving artisinal, seasonal and handcrafted food. they make most of their food from scratch or take a farm to table approach, and when needed, they will source a specific item. after expanding into del mar (i enjoyed this place a fair amount over the past year, especially their outdoor patio), they have opened their third prep kitchen in little italy in downtown san diego. the largest of the restaurants, it boasts a dining room, full bar and lounge. given the scene in the area, the long high-top communal farm tables in the lounge are the perfect setting for social gatherings and happy hours. with food and drink specials from 4-7pm daily, as well as a $3.50 all night tapas menu, it's a great place to go for great food and not put a dent in your wallet.

spice it up

2012-02-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

for the past few months my go-to ingredient has become chilies, flopping between jalapeno and serrano. such a simple addition to a recipe, it can make a huge difference in flavor. it began with a chile chicken and basil recipe from men's health magazine in the short order cook section (which features recipes that are quick and easy). from there i started to add it to my morning scrambles, which also include whatever other random veggies i have available. one combination i like: egg whites, avocado, green onion, jalapeno, and spinach. my taste buds have adapted to the kick from the seeds, and i find myself using more and more of the chile. this isn't normally an issue unless you're cooking for a group, as i did the other night, and then you're reminded that not everyone can handle the same level of spice. having grabbed a bottle of ginger lime sauce by ginger people (this sauce is so tasty) at seaside market, i decided to toss in some serrano chillies with the chicken. the addition was well received but definitely noted. i do think that having a side dish that neutralizes the spice when cooking with chilies is important. for example, we steamed halibut with a soy-chile sauce, but including a side of sauteed bok choy helped balance the powerful flavor from the fish. there are endless recipes and combinations with chilies, and i enjoy them so much that once i get around to it, i should probably just start growing them too.

images megan.christine

butter finger

2012-02-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

i've never been much of a nails girl. it's never really fit my lifestyle. between playing sports and creating art, it wasn't even worth the attempt to grow them out or keep them from chipping. but from time to time i would enjoy the treat of a manicure (now gels make the maintenance that much easier), and i would leave the nail salon with a bottle of polish to help make the color last. i was partial to OPI for a long time, more for the creative names than the colors, but recently i discovered butter. founded in 2005, this london based natural line of nail lacquer has developed quite a following, and was the first company to sell non-toxic polish in the states. they have eliminated ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, dbp and parabens (although i will admit it chips faster because of this fact). and similar to OPI, the custom color palette comes with great names too, such as: yummy mummy, come to bed red, lady muck, hen party, cheeky chops, and snog. locally, one can get a butter manicure or pick up a bottle at 20 lounge in cardiff-by-the-sea.

animalistic fairy tale

2012-02-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

last spring when i was grabbing brunch in venice beach, i stopped into altered spaces, a gallery along abbot kinney. they feature various artists and craftsmen that they believe to be "visionaries in their fields, and originators in new eras in design." it was the first i had seen of michele mikesell, who was currently showing chapter 3: disambiguate at altered spaces. the alabama born, texas based painter, creates child-like, slightly disturbing, fairytale scapes filled with stylized animalistic forms with underlying human presence. the surface, painted on baltic birch board, is subjected to a process of adding, scraping and sanding, which results in a contrast between smooth and worn. this hazy dreamlike visual effect is reminiscent of surrealism, which along with expressionism and children's art, is michele's inspiration. chapter 3 has since closed at altered spaces, but if you find yourself in atlanta, georgia, stop into the alan avery art company to check out chapter 4: 10.

images michele mikesell

bulls-eye

2012-02-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

images jason shaltze

this past month i had the pleasure of meeting jason shaltze, one half of new york based the shaltzes creative (the other is his sister carrie). we met at the birthday party of our mutual friend who, like the shaltze's, hail from flint, michigan. (i did learn that even the mcdonalds in flint have bars on their windows. didn't leave itching to visit.) this sibling duo has an eye for energy, and shoots both photography and film - check out their awesome portfolio on their website. while in san diego, the guys decided to take a quick trip to the shooting range. having had an enjoyable time at a range a while back myself, we exchanged stories, did some re-enactments and shared photos. jason had some great shots, which would further back their creative talent. kind of makes me want to head back and perfect my bulls-eye.

morgan maassen, photography

2012-02-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

through social networking, last night i discovered morgan maassen. the california native is a talented photographer and filmmaker, as evident through his online portfolio. his impressive client list includes patagonia, nike, billabong- just to name a few. at such a young age (21), he is sure to have a long successful career ahead of him, and i'll be looking forward to see what he produces.

images Morgan Maassen

grub sprawl

2012-02-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

next monday (13 february) is the east village grub sprawl. from 6-10pm you can show up in this vibrant downtown neighborhood and try out $5 dishes at participating restaurants, cafes and venues. a complete list, along with food specials, are available on the grub sprawl website. it includes, but is not limited to, proper, mission brewery, el vitral, and hotel indigo. what's nice is that you don't have to buy tickets in advance, you simply show up, sign up and enjoy the sprawl. with upcoming destinations all over san diego, i am looking forward to the 12 march sprawl in encinitas!

irresistibly italian, vietri

2012-02-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

i was in gar'den.ol.ogy in encinitas the other day with a girlfriend. she was looking for accent pieces for her new coffee table in her formal living room. while she picked through giant white coral and conch shells, i couldn't help admiring the beautiful table settings that they had staged. the heavy white dishes reminded me of vietri, a US based company that imports italian handcrafted products. while artisans craft pieces for both the home and garden, i particularly appreciate the collections of dinnerware. my two favorite are the incanto (means enchanting individuality), made of terra marrone (brown clay), and the bellezza (means beautiful), made of terra cotta. with a large selection of pieces to mix and match, each unique detail compliments the others. thick in cut and delicately shaped, the layers are revealed through glazing techniques and form, making the pieces quite sculptural.

images vietri

ergonomic beauty

2012-01-17T13:20:00.000-08:00

images ligne roset

ligne roset, the modern french furniture and accessories company does an incredible job (thanks to advertising agencies like jung von matt/alster) mixing furniture with high fashion in artful ads. striking women in beautiful clothing are staged alongside a piece, creating a scene where the furniture may appear secondary but in fact is the eye-catcher. i personally love the the ligne roset style. found by antoine roset in 1860, the company collaborates with leading designers to create ergonomic and visually attractive pieces (furniture, lighting, textiles, etc). with over 200 stores (10 in the US), it's fantastic that there is one in la jolla, california. seeing the pieces in person will only make you love them more!

glow

2012-01-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

a girlfriend of mine that works for getty images in nyc recently sent me a link to a project she has been following, the glow. working for a stock photo agency, she is inundated with images all day, but as soon as i opened up the glow, i could quickly tell why she was drawn to the site. it captures a side of successful and beautiful women that is rarely revealed - a glimpse into the world of inspiring and fashionable moms. these are moms that incorporate style into every aspect of their lives. co-founded in 2011 by violet gaynor and kelly stuart (both had worked stints at elle together), the glow features original photographs that they shoot of moms and tots in their natural habitat with minimal staging. the results are some pretty incredible images.

images the glow

get wet

2012-01-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

i sent this ad to a friend earlier today, as she plans to make her way to north county tonight to meet up with me. the bright colors and springtime image seemed to fall in line with the weather and general feel for the day. with only a handful of local establishments to dine & drink in a social atmosphere, it seems like a good choice for a wednesday evening- dj theron is awesome and zenbu isn't such a bad spot either.

zenbu, a sushi bar by day and a cocktail lounge by night, has a relatively small, dark interior space backlit by a huge fish tank. relying on his own seafood company, ocean giant, to provide fresh fish daily, founder/owner, matt rimel, serves up delicious sushi and seafood dishes. while there are many options on the menu, i personally love the salbacore roll: spicy crap, asparagus, asian pear, cucumber, daikon sprouts topped with seared albacore and avocado and finished with siracha, asian vinaigrette and orange zest.

it's not a feat to get to people to come to zenbu, but i was happy to see that theron was venturing out of downtown and giving north county a taste of his talent. no doubt he'll work the crowd tonight with his beats.

inner truth

2012-01-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

i love stationary, paper products and graphic design. i find enjoyment in fonts, texture, and composition. i think it's incredible how a message or a feeling can be evoked through a simple image or color. after the farmers market one sunday, i found myself strolling through solo in solana beach with a girlfriend, and i came across a series a journals by knock knock that were so witty they were wonderful. jen bilik had a similar appreciation, and in 2002 she found knock knock, a product design company, based in venice, ca. with a background in publishing and graphics design, jen sought to create products "distinctive in concept, content and design, immune to the disease of committee homogenization." her products are unique. the journals that i saw in solo were part of a series of inner-truth journals, covering various topics that provide a much needed place for unalloyed honesty. the guided paperback journals feature playful and candid quotes and include a space for capturing ruminations. these journals will inspire you to tell it like it is!

images knock knock

radiographs

2012-01-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

taking photography a step further, some artists have used x-rays to capture layers of objects that the eye could not have seen alone. my brother is a radiologist, and today the world has been lucky enough to have had him for 35 years. in celebration, i have included some beautiful images from artists, nick veasey and leslie wright.

images nick veasey & leslie wright

reset

2012-01-08T18:53:00.000-08:00

images bon appetit & nourish

bon appetit magazine has, in its second year, released their annual food lovers cleanse. after a couple months of gluttonous holiday celebration (albeit wonderful), it's time to get back to the basics and give your body a chance to restart. the cleanse is a two week program, and although it began at the beginning of the month, you can clearly begin whenever you want (i will begin tomorrow, as today my football season ended). unlike other cleanses that are painstakingly bland, liquid based, or leave you starving and cranky- this cleanse is made for people that enjoy food and the art of good cooking. the recipes included are mostly produce based, with smaller portions of whole grains and protein - such as, halibut with clementine gremolata, pumpkin shrimp curry, sake braised clams with soba noodles and omelet with fennel-meyer lemon relish. working with NYC dietitian, marissa lippert (who also happens to be one of my good friends from UVA - love you miz), they also set up a bunch of guidelines to follow for developing good habits. the recipes are not as complicated as they were last year, which hopefully will eliminate some of the frustrations people experienced. and with an emphasis on a make-ahead-pantry and leftovers, this will help with planning and maximizing time. looking forward to eating my way into a healthy delicious fresh start.

white on white

2012-01-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

celebrated artist dale chihuly, widely known for his brightly colored innovative glass pieces, is showing a new site specific series, "white works," in denver at PISMO's cheery creek north gallery (28 october - 15 january). i recall making note of chihuly's work at the bellagio in las vegas, where the ceiling flowed with clustered brilliant bursts of color. and then later i easily spotted his glass garden (crystal cranes) at the mandarin oriental in nyc. i had looked forward to seeing his white on white series at PISMO, as it was a new direction for chihuly, void of color. similar to his black series (2006) and his silvered series (2009), the works focused primarily on form. but, with the white series, he is also able to explore the use of transparency. if you get a chance to go by the gallery, it's well worth it. the pieces are phenomenal!

amy paul & pigment

2012-01-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

images amy paul

my sister got in touch with local san diego artist, amy paul, and surprised me with a few of her pieces (which was too sweet). i had told her about amy as i was trying to figure out something to put on the bare wall above my desk. the images in her work, inspired by the ordinary, are placed within a composition that at times is abstract, with varying layers of color that is applied and removed to achieve the desired affect. i first discovered amy years ago in north park, a space that is now pigment (her studio is located in the back), which she opened with her husband in 2007. what started off as a gallery has now also become a boutique filled with design conscious goods - if you haven't checked out this place, you are missing out. (pigment was also featured in the urbanist 2011 shopping guide)

something that matters

2012-01-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

i have a tendency to read multiple books simultaneously, a habit i formed growing up. my mom actually recommended reading blake mycoskie's start something that matters, a book about earning a living pursing your passions and devoting yourself to a cause that inspires you. it's an easy read, but really only skims the surface on any tangible business advice- although the stories are inspiring. not only does the book cover blake's company, TOMS, an LA based shoe company that gives back a new pair of shoes to children in Argentina with each pair purchased - but it also covers other companies like method, TerraCycle, FEED Projects, Zappos, etc. as an owner of multiple pairs of TOMS, i will vouch that they are light, comfortable and have some great prints. i particularly like to wear them when i travel. if you haven't tried a pair, you really should.... and the little kids versions are so adorable too (aren't they always). i found some awesome plaid and sparkle patterns in hansen's surf shop in encinitas today that i was so tempted to my nieces.

images TOMS

fresh

2012-01-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

image megan.christine

it's a fresh new year, and it's been rather delightful to be able to start off underneath a warm, sunny socal sky. in my own attempt to de-clutter, refocus and reground.... i found this as a good mantra for today:

be regular & orderly in your life, so that you may be creative & original in your work

~gustave flaubert

someecards

2012-01-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

my girlfriend who lives in sweden loves to post random someecards on her facebook account, and more often than not it's the potentially offensive cards for unusual occasions, like flirting, politics, or a breakup. the free online e-cards were created by brook lundy and duncan mitchell, and they contain some humorous variations to the traditional greeting card, which appeal to the younger and open-minded audience. there are so many to choose from that you'll find yourself scrolling through in sheer laughter.

lentil cakes with raita

2011-12-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

images megan.christine

caught up in the holiday chaos, i completely procrastinated on coming up with a few dishes to bring to a new years eve dinner party at a friend's house in north park. with the day being so gorgeous outside, i couldn't seem to pin myself to the stove, so i wanted to make sure i could whip up something easy, but also a little different (our host did request that we cook to impress). with a variety of dietary restrictions in the group, i decided to make lentil cakes with raita (featured in bon appetit from philly based bindi restaurant), something i had not made before (note: do not do this before a party if you have no idea how they will turn out). my food processor definitely helped to speed up the chopping, and all the fresh ingredients were very aromatic. i pan fried the cakes and my initial taste test proved what i had feared, there were so many flavors in this dish that it was slightly overwhelming. but, some people like that, so i wouldn't toss this recipe until trying it.

south indian lentil cakes with raita

Raita:
1 head of garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled seeded cucumber
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeño
1/2 teaspoon (or more) fresh lemon juice

Lentil cakes:
1/2 cup mixed dried legumes (such as lentils and whole mung beans) --- I used Trader Joes cooked lentils
1/4 cup basmati rice --- I used brown rice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/2 jalapeño, seeded, minced
1 cup leaves from pea tendrils, arugula, or spinach, chopped
1/2 cup peas (from about 8 ounces peas in pods), chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped scallions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

For raita:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut top 1/2" off head of garlic; discard. Place garlic on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze cloves from skins, keeping cloves intact.

Stir cumin in a small dry skillet over medium heat until deep brown, 2-3 minutes. Let cool. Finely grind in a spice mill.

Mix yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, mint, jalapeño, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice in a medium bowl. Stir in cumin. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

For lentil cakes:

Rinse legumes; place in a medium bowl with rice. Add water to cover by 3". Let legumes and rice soak at room temperature for 3-5 hours.

Drain legumes and rice; transfer to a food processor. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeño. Process until grainy paste forms (add 1-2 tablespoons water if necessary). Transfer to a large bowl; mix in tendrils and next 6 ingredients.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon 4 scant 1/4-cupfuls of batter into skillet, flattening with the back of a measuring cup into 1/4"-thick cakes. Reduce heat to medium; sauté until golden brown and cooked through, adding 1 more tablespoon oil when cakes are flipped, about 4-5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining oil and batter. Divide raita among plates; top with a roasted garlic clove. Place 2 cakes on each plate.