Last night I attended an increasingly popular event here in Phoenix, the Places, Spaces and Faces Community Dinner. Once a month, my friend, architect Taz Loomans, finds an architecturally and/or artistically interesting venue and arranges a potluck dinner there. Everyone votes on their favorite within 4 categories: sweet, savory, beverage, and overall presentation. And the winners have to plan the theme for the next month!
August's event was hosted by the Modified Arts gallery, to celebrate their new"Converging Trajectories" exhibit. In sync with the event, the dinner's theme was fusion.
My favorite dessert was an Indian dish, which I loved because it was not too sweet but still delicious. It was made with ricotta cheese, which you've seen in this blog before because of its whey protein, high calcium content, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Rita Harkins Dickinson, the creator, shared the recipe so I could share it all with you:
16oz Ricotta Cheese
Half a cup of dry carnation milk
3/4 cup sugar (I recommend a little less)
Bake at 350 for about 40 — 50 minutes and top with pistachios and/or fruit.
I was impressed with how many participants shopped for their ingredients at the farmer's market earlier in the day, and how healthy the recipes were, in general. It was nice to see that"celebration" doesn't necessarily need to be fattening, and how eating locally and healthfully a natural choice and a desirable habit.
If you live in Phoenix and you're interested in coming next month, look for the Facebook Page entitled,"Places, Spaces, and Faces Community Dinner," and join to receive the invitation.