Colleen">http://vimeo.com/7599102">Colleen Brennan interview Isobella Jade at Model Life Book Party from Colleen">http://vimeo.com/user2536971">Colleen Brennan on Vimeo.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at "The Candle Cafe" a cozy, unpretentious restaurant in the Upper East Side specializing in vegetarian cuisine.  I have  been to several other restaurants around Manhattan but this cafe has been my favourite thus far.  Not only is all of the food organic and fresh, it is also very tasty and satisfying which is sometimes not the case when enjpying vegetarian cuisine.  My favourite dish was the paradise casserole.  The mixture of sweetness from the sweet potatoes and the savory black beans and gravy that comes with it was simply delicious and I have obtained the recipe for you in case you don't live in Manhattan.  Don't forget, the Candle Cafe also has a variety of delicious desserts such as banana cake with banana frosting, assorted wheat free cookies such as oatmeal chocolate chip and yummy fruit crumbles served a la mode but with organic soy ice cream of course!  Enjoy the recipe. 

Paradise Casserole

The sweet potatoes and millet can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the casserole.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake the sweet potatoes for one hour, or until forktender. When cool enough to handle, remove the potatoes from their skins, place them in a large mixing bowl and mash them with a potato masher until smooth. Combine the miso, vinegar, and cinnamon with the potatoes. While the potaotes are cooking, put the millet and 8 cups of salted water in a large pot, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Set aside.

Meanwhile, combine the beans, garlic, onion, cumin, crushed pepper and salt in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Spread the olive oil along the bottom of a large baking pan or casserole dish. Spread the cooked millet over the bottom of the pan, then spread the black bean mixture in an even layer over the millet. Top with the sweet potato mixture and spread evenly.

Bake the casserole for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool a bit before slicing into six servings. You can also make the casserole a day or two ahead, store in the refrigerator, and bake before serving. Adapted from The Candle Cafe Cookbook (Clarkson Potter)

Summer is one of my favorite seasons as it is during this time that nature provides us with a bountiful selection of succulent fruits and vegetables for us to enjoy.

One of my favorite quick snacks to prepare during the hot summer months is the refreshing and delicious Insalata Caprese. This salad consists of only a few key ingredients for a truly satisfying snack or meal.

What you will need:

• Organic Roma or Hothouse tomatoes. (You can also use the colorful orange and yellow tomatoes. Basically any sweet and ripe tomato will work)
• Mozzarella di Bufala (Whole Foods & Specialty cheese shops)
• Fresh organic basil
• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Organic Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Clean and slice the tomatoes about 1/2" thick
2. Carefully slice the mozzarella about 1/2" thick
3. Place the mozzarella on each tomato slice and arrange beautifully
4. Place a whole basil leaf on each piece of mozzarella
5. Drizzle with the olive oil
6. Add a bit of balsamic vinegar if you wish
7. Add salt and pepper to taste

Voila, a simple yet delicious snack or appetizer in a matter of minutes. Buon appetito!

P.S. You can also make this a vegan dish by substituting the mozzarella with a vegan mozzarella or soy cheese!

All hell broke loose on Houston Street on Thursday night: Barricades held back teary-eyed tweens outside the Sunshine Cinema, burly security men were not afraid to shove, andlast but not leastguests had to endure the trauma of turning their mobile telephones and cameras in before entering the theater. Why the fuss? Because the First Family of Vampire Cinema was in town, of course, here to attend the NYC unveiling of New Moon, the second installment of the Twilight series. "Robert, Taylor, and Kristen, who no longer even need last names," the film's director, Chris Weitz, said as he introduced the cast to his friends. For those who've been sleeping in a coffin for the last year, that would be Pattinson, Lautner, and Stewart.

"This might be the most beautiful screening I've been to," Weitz added. "I don't think I've ever seen a more glamorous audience watch a movie." Yes, the likes of Jessica Szohr, Taylor Momsen, and Jessica Stam all looked lovely this evening, even if all eyes were on the stars. Nearly the entire room sat swiveled in the chairs, focusing attention not on the screen but rather on a row near the back of the auditorium that was designated for the cast. And then, before the lights even dimmed in the theater, the troupe scooped up their darkened tresses and left.

Perhaps paparazzi flashbulbs act like daylight on vampires, because Pattinson and co. were still missing in action at the after-party. "Where are the bloody Cullens?" Agyness Deyn asked Alexa Chung. With Fergie, Ed Westwick, the Kills' Alison Mosshart, and Emma Roberts in attendance, there was plenty of eye candy to snack on. But that presumably wasn't enough to sustain the fans who stood outside The Box, apparently unaware of the advice of Pattinson. Earlier in the night, he joked to a friend, "Everyone knows this movie comes out in about four hours, right?" True, the first public screenings were at midnight Friday morning, but as any screaming, digital camera-wielding, die-hard Twilight fan will tell you, the movie is just the start. Pattinson may play an unusually abstemious bloodsucker in the series, but his admirers were looking for flesh.