Decor Arts Now

By Lynn Byrne. My toughest food critic, my seventeen year old son, has told me that my recipe this week, Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Cashews, isn’t creative enough.  He says everyone knows how to make that.  Well, just like dinner is sometimes at our house, you are getting what there is.  Besides, I am going to show you a very creative kitchen.  One done in a style I have never seen before.

The kitchen is inspired by famed Japanese woodworker, George Nakashima. In fact, a Nakashima table and chairs, purchased at auction, are the centerpiece of the space.  (That is some kitchen table and chairs.  A Nakashima table and 10 chairs is on 1st dibs right now for $85,000).

The whole kitchen has a zen feel to it.  The kitchen cabinets also have the feel of Nakashima.  You could almost be in a spa.  Take a look.

Here is what a classic Nakashima butterfly joint, seen in the table, looks like.

This kitchen is perfect down to the details.  Love the antique Asian feel of the hardware.

Cool, yes?

Now for the recipe.  Of course, Patrick and the other boys gobble it up, but if Pat is right, feel free to make your own version.  Just imagine you are in this very peaceful kitchen.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Cashews

Photo by Lynn Byrne for Decor Arts Now

Ingredients

1 pound boneless sirloin steak cut into 1/4 inch-thick strips about 2 1/2 inches long (I buy it this way)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon olive oil, more for pan

1 large garlic clove minced

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/4 pounds)

1/2 pound fresh shitake mushrooms

1/3 cup bottled teriyaki sauce

2-3 tablespoons salted cashews

1. Combine the beef with the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic and ginger in a bowl.  Chill for 30 minutes.

2. Cook flowerets from broccoli in salted boiling water, 2 minutes.  Drain and transfer to a bowl.

3. Wipe mushrooms clean with damp paper towel.  Remove stems from mushrooms.  Cut caps 1/4 inch thick.

4. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet or wok.  Heat to medium-high.  Add mushrooms; sauté 5 minutes until wilted; add to broccoli.

5. Increase heat to high.  If the mushrooms soaked up all the oil, add another tablespoon.  Add beef to skillet.  Stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes.  Add teriyaki sauce and stir to combine for a sauce.  Add broccoli and mushrooms and heat through.  Sprinkle with cashews.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Remember the teriyaki sauce is salty and so are the cashews, so you might not need more salt.  Serve over rice.

Serves 4

Notes: I often double this recipe except for the shitake mushrooms.  The boys eat them but don’t love them, so since they are expensive, I don’t double them.  Also, sometimes I add a little water when I add the teriyaki sauce for the sauce.  The boys sometimes sprinkle on a little extra teriyaki sauce at the table.

Kitchen photographs by Eric Piasecki for the April 2009, House Beautiful.

Photo by Lynn Byrne for Decor Arts Now.

By Q. When my Aunt Lynn visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) last week to catch their mega exhibition on the Bauhaus before it closed, she learned that the Bauhaus designs for children were among their most popular efforts.  Since I am a kid (age 4, but everyone tells me that I am really smart), I decided to take a look.

Aunt Lynn said the Bauhaus designers focused on color, shapes and the abstraction of both.  I have known my colors and shapes since I was almost 2 years old.  But what does abstraction mean?  Coloring outside the lines?  Anyway, I liked almost everything she showed me.

I know I said I liked my Chip chairs and Chalker table a few weeks ago, but I bet this is one of the first modern-style table and chairs made for kids.  Next two photos by Stork Bites Man.

I also thought this cradle was super cool.  I like the triangles and the circles remind me of my hula hoop.  The rug next to the cradle was also designed for a child’s playroom.

Here is the cradle that you can purchase today from Bauhaus2Your house. I prefer the bright yellow and red version.  Photo via Droolicious.

You are supposed to make a ship out of these blocks but I can think of lots of other things to build too.  Photo via Daddy Types.I want my dad to teach me how to play chess with this set.  I bet I will be able to beat him.  

These nesting tables were not designed with kids in mind, but they would look great in any playroom because of their different colored tops.

The only thing I truly didn’t like were the puppets made by the artist, Paul Klee, for his son.  I know he is famous and all, but they are too scary for me.  Do you like them?  First photo from the exhibition catalog.

The MOMA exhibiton closed yesterday, but Aunt Lynn says the exhibition catalog is practically as good as seeing everything live, and it is available online through the museum store. Unless otherwise noted, photos are linked to their sources.