Soup and a Tart for… “In The Kitchen With” Design*Sponge

Over the summer, I was so excited to be featured as a guest in Design*Sponge’s “In The Kitchen With…”. This is one of my must-read weekly columns, as I discover so many new talents and artist. It is always so interesting to see everyone’s approach on food, styling and photography and the story behind each and every recipe.

So when I was approached by Kristina again to do a second feature, I was more than flattered. “Why don’t we try something savory this time?”, she asked. “Perfect!”, I thought since I have really been inspired by produce and comfort food recently.

I could live off soup everyday and never get tired of it, but I always have to have “a little something” to accompany it. Whether it may be simple cheese on toast or a slice of tart, it adds something special to the whole meal, so this time I created one of the soups we eat most during the fall, a butternut squash and orange cauliflower soup and to go with it, a leek, baby broccoli and smoked salmon herb tart. Believe me, it makes a full lunch.

Along with the recipes, you can also find Kristina’s favorite cookbooks and a list of some of my latest kitchen obsessions. Hope you try it. You can find the full recipes here.

I also want to thank Kaytlyn of Beneficial Design for helping me create the most beautiful banner once again and to Nadia, for the loveliest mini crabapples straight from her farm.

Have a great weekend!


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57 Responses to “Soup and a Tart for… “In The Kitchen With” Design*Sponge”

  1. El says:

    Aran, I love the new green background and complementary header. It looks amazing.

    In all honesty, I think these are the best photographs you have ever taken. The styling, the color combination – everything is just beautiful. More importantly, it’s making me hungry! I’ll definitely be trying out your recipes this week. Thanks!

  2. tara says:

    I agree with El, the photos are just stunning, Aran.

    And I have to further agree to say that I would happily live on soups these days. There is nothing more comforting to make, or eat. This sounds delicious and looks just gorgeous.

  3. Oh aran! truthfully i am loving this post and not just because i see my name on it, but because the pictures are incredible especially the one of you carrying the cabbages- BEAUTIFUL!!!!

  4. ABowlOfMush says:

    these photographs are absolutely stunning.

    Soup is a must for me around this time of year, I try to make a different one every week.

  5. Erin says:

    The photography and food styling in this post is unreal. Awesome, awesome work!

  6. Frenchie says:

    I hope you feel great accomplished with your great blog, spectacular pictures and exquisite food. You are a star.

  7. Jenny says:

    Oh Aran! Everytime I think I am getting the hang of food photography I come over to your site and am blown away by how beautiful your pictures are! Keep up the amazing work!

  8. Dominique says:

    I love this post! your pictures, and the foodstyling are just wonderful… Yhank you, have a nice weekend!

  9. Absolutely gorgeous! Both dishes look droolworthy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  10. Jen Yu says:

    I’m always a sucker for savory tarts :) I love this. The purples and greens are such a beautiful visual combination. Fantastic!!

  11. hagan says:

    Totally awesome photography!

  12. cindy* says:

    i love savory tarts…yum! lovely as always aran ;)

    i love the new banner! the colors! gorgeous!

  13. Totally droolworthy pics! Adopt me please!! :)

  14. Danielle says:

    It always amazes me how you use a bunch of loose leaves and flowers in your shots and make them look so natural and carefree when I’m sure a lot of thought went into deciding where/how to place each leaf. You’ve inspired me to play around with these ingredients in my shots too, but it takes a bit of practice to get them to look ‘right’ ;)

  15. Junglefrog says:

    That is one very good looking soup and those tarts are amazing too!

  16. Helene says:

    I have to admit that your photos are stunning. Love the styling.

  17. Aran – How’s your Beatles White ALbum? What were you listening to when you were “throwing” this little plate together? It is delectable. It is the fresh, lush young greens that really draw me in.
    I would like the cracker recipe. You have beautiful crackers included in the photograph, and they do appear handmade. I hope they are, and I hope you will share the recipe.
    Fingers and knees crossed,
    Valerie XO

  18. Love the recipes, love the photos etc. like everyone else BUT where did you get those gorgeous little green bowls with the white spots that are in the background of a couple of shots? I love them!

  19. Aran says:

    Valerie- the cracker recipe is also included. It’s the same dough as the tart base but just cut into squares. follow the tart dough recipe on design*sponge.

    What was I listening to..?? Hard to remember. I took these shots like 3 weeks ago!

    Asha- thank you!

    Catherine- those are from a Danish company called Greengate. My mom sent them to me a while back ago.

    Thanks again everyone! Have a great weekend!

  20. shaz says:

    Beautiful, beautiful photos as usual. Love that one with the ornamental cabbage(?-I think?).

  21. Aran says:

    Shaz- yes, that is ornamental kale. so beautiful!

  22. Beautiful presentation and pictures.

  23. Anis says:

    Aran I’m speechless , your photos are just so waoooooooooh if I may say so!

  24. Barbara says:

    You must get tired of hearing this repeated but: your photographs are beautiful; the header is smashing; the food design is perfect. I think I like the tart best- all the savory tarts I serve and I would never have thought to pile pretty lettuces on top. Absolutely gorgeous.

  25. Ash says:

    Oh Aran, I just love these photo’s!! so lovely!

  26. Romy says:

    That soup looks like just the thing for lunch on a blustery autumn day. Lovely! And the new header is beautiful too.

  27. Simply Life says:

    Wow – everything looks amazing! Incredible photos!

  28. sabra says:

    completely gorgeous Aran! Love your savory dishes!

  29. Zerogluten says:

    Una vez más demuestras que todo lo que tocas, se convierte en elegancia. Tus fotos, tus bonitas palabras y la sola imaginación del sabor de todo lo que presentas, hace que tu blog se convierta en un sitio delicioso donde venir a pasear.
    Te mando muchos besos sin gluten, para tí y para tu tripita.

  30. the real mia says:

    Oh, these photos are absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering.

  31. veron says:

    Your gorgeous photos as usual is making me ridiculously hungry!

  32. I will definitely be making this tomorrow night when my parents come for dinner! I have pretty much all the ingredients at home. Thanks for the idea :)

  33. What a pleasing new look Aran. Beautiful backfround & beautiful header too. Love the savoury post. It’s everything I would want in a meal…and more! Beautiful pictures too!

  34. Amanda says:

    Once fall hits, I’m so ready for my daily lunch of soup and toast. It’s my favorite thing ever. I can’t wait to start using the lovely butternut squash that is popping up everywhere… And I really like the header, Aran!

  35. Kathleen says:

    Aran, your food is sooo beautiful! You are an inspiration! Thank you!

  36. Aparna says:

    Squash isn’t something I like very much, but I might have to rethink that if soup looks this good. :)

  37. Anonymous says:

    Nuevo look otoñal…..y con salado!!!Me encantan…las cremas con acompañamiento. Tengoq probar el butternut squash no es lo mismo q calabaza no?
    Beso. Carmen ZH

  38. Vanille says:

    Your posts always leave me speechless Aran !

  39. Catherine says:

    Looks soooo tasty (as always) !

  40. Fiona says:

    Your food styling is amazing. I love it.

  41. Aran says:

    Carmen- butternut squash es un tipo de calabaza pero no la que estamos acostumbrados. La piel es de color naranja claro y la calabaza es mas pequena y con forma un poco de pera. El sabor es un poco mas suave creo yo aunque puedes utilizar la calabaza que encuentres en su lugar. Espero que lo pruebes.

    Thanks everyone!

  42. Egle says:

    Looks so yummy and mouthwattering. Now I’m feeling really really hungry. Damn (:

  43. Botacook says:

    It looks absolutely gorgeous! And your photos are wonderful, it makes me want to eat everything!

  44. how incredible and waht beautiful pictures my friend…i am going to ds RIGHT now to see!

  45. simplesong says:

    your work gets increasingly more amazing [is that grammatically correct?:]. so inspiring.

  46. EdibleMarie says:

    Your photos make me want to cry and salivate at the same time.

  47. un menu perfecto para el inverno que se avecina, maravillosos sabores y colores en tus fotos, besitos

  48. Gloria says:

    Aran tu niño està precioso, bendiciones, besoos gloria

  49. closetchef says:

    You never stop inspiring me. I love this recipe! Thank you.

  50. CharlotteV says:

    So, I just made this tart last night. I have never made this kind of crust before, and I must admit I was a little worried at first as it looked a bit different to the crusts I have made before. I had absolutely nothing to worry about, as soon as it came out of the oven I knew it would be deeeeelicious. everyone loved it, and I will definitely be making it again. Thanks so much for such a wonderful recipe!!

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  52. Erica says:

    I made both the tart and the butternut squash soup for dinner last night and both were amazing. I tweaked the pastry recipe slightly as I wanted to use up several opened flours that were taking up space in my cabinet. I used a combination of cake flour and whole wheat pastry flour. My husband, who normally does not like crust for some odd reason, cleaned his plate (usually the crust sits forlornly on the plate – rejected and destined for the garbage bin).

    For the soup, I used a trick I learned from a local chef (Brandon Arms from Garden at The Cellar on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA) – add a banana when you are pureeing the soup. This adds a little texture, smooth and creamy, and does not alter the taste in the slightest.

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