Welcome to this first edition of “Cooking like a nerd”. If, like me, you don’t have time to cook and are merely unable to make something without burning it, I think this post will be some help.
As we need to feed ourselves once in a while, us, Geeks, Nerds, Designers, and other species their mums didn’t teach about the basics of social relationships and cooking, we have to find recipes that can fit our overcrowded schedules. We must be able to cook it in 5 minutes,  take it at work, and eat the left-overs after a party, at 4 in the morning — wathever is in our fridge at the moment. The first recipe that comes to my mind is : the savoury tart!

Budget : $
Difficulty : ♦ (Beginner cook)
Categories : Vegetably challenged, Cheap’n'Easy, Empty fridge.
Caution : this is a non-vegan recipe, and contains eggs & milk.

Ingredients :
The basics : Puff or short pastry (Home or ready-made), 3 eggs, some milk, salt, black pepper, nutmegs, and mustard.
The filling : Any vegetables to convenience (leeks, onions, spinach, tomatoes, whatever is in your fridge.) and for a non-veggie version, thuna or salmon, sliced bacon, cheese…

The whole idea is to get a “basic” tart that you can customize any time.
So first of all, wash and slice your vegetables. If you’re a designer, you’ll probably have a thing for colors, so try to make a nice colorfoul mix (makes things funnier). For this one, I’ll use leeks, onions, spinach and mushrooms. Slice them in tiny bits, and brown them a bit in a frying pan. (I use grape seed oil, but if you prefer olive oil, go for it!). If you use a protein source cook it now.

Tips: Don’t overcook the spinach. Fresh spinach have a strong taste that gets really bland when overcooked. Just let them cook for a minute or two.
If you use juicy vegetables such as tomatoes, try to get ride of the juice before getting it on the pastry, as a damp tart is not that fun.
When cooked, get them on the side.

Get your oven on, to let it get hot.
Prepare the tart pastry: get it in a dish, and pick some small holes with a fork in there. Now take your mustard, and spread the pastry with it — don’t be shy, it’ll give the whole thing it’s tasty side.
In a large bowl, get your 3 eggs, a splash of milk, pepper, salt, and a pinch of nutmegs. Other spices are welcome, regarding the nature of your filling. Whisk the little bastard (he likes that anyway) until smooth. I like to put my old cheese in the mix for the taste (I often have cheese in my fridge that has come close to life. I prefer to know it’s dead before eating it anyway).

Now put your vegetables on the tart pastry, and pour your egg mix ton top. Decorate to liking.
Get in the oven for 20 good minutes, medium hotness.
Eat it hot or cold, with a salad, and a bottle of San Pellegrino (sparkling water is chic I heard, and I can’t suggest a wine for work-lunch anyway).
A french variant involves only eggs, crême fraîche, and sliced bacon as a filling. Say Hello to the quiche lorraine!

Bon appétit, and enjoy!
Love,
Zélia.

Thinking about going green? The days are getting longer and longer — at least, here in Europe — and the weather tends to be a bit nicer. Combine your need for a bit of exercise (you know you have to move this christmas-ass of yours, don’t ya?) and a  fantastically stylish mode of transportation. Ride a bike, be cool, and try to survive more than 10 scds in the urban jungle surrounding you. 

Lesson 1: Your bike is like your best friend.

If you don’t take care of it, it won’t help you in difficult moments. Choose it carefully : how will you use it? How many kilometers are you going to ride with it every day? Does it have to be lifted in your appartment? Does it have to be foldable? Is your daily road made of hills and moutains? Do you have any reseller nearby?
I, for example, choose an electric bike. I have to climb several hills a day, riding at least 12 km, in an all-urban area. I like to wear skirts so I needed a low frame. Last but not least, I’m lazy, and really hate sports. The electric bike helps me on the hard parts of the road, but doesn’t cycle all the way: you have to pedal to activate the electric device, and its help is proportionnal to your effort. That’s to say, you have to pedal like on a normal bike, you just go faster without sweating.

Lesson 2: Nature is stronger than you. 
First thing that tends to make people think riding a bike is a non-sense is probably the weather fluctuations. Rainy windy days are actually a pain in the ass, I have to admit, but they don’t happen that often. You can buy rain clothes, that will make you look sexy as hell. Or you ca just take public transportation on that day.

Lesson 3: Mommy is always right. No one looks good in a helmet.
Sadly enough, you’ll look like a jerk no matter what. But for your own safety, a hlmet might be secure, if you tend to cycle in a danger zone with crazy car drivers. Wanna be stylish? Wear a BMX or roller helmet (and say goodbye to aerodynamism)! I assure you that with my magenta glittery helmet, no one misses me.

Lesson 4: Show off!
For once, your worst fashion tastes can express themselves. Fluorescent colors, googles, luminescent clothes, sparkling lights, everything is good to gt seen. Express yourself throgh your bike gear and go wild!

Lesson 5: Riding in heels is so chic you’ll make them die.
Wearing high heels on a bike is easier than you can think of. It actually helps you not to get up off the saddle on traffic lights + it’s easier than staying up in the subway. Mhhh! Stylish you!

Lesson 6: Carry your stuff around, but do it right.
Rain clothes, water bottles, computer, purse, you have to carry all this stuff while cycling. Choose a bag that will not be afraid of rain and pollution, and will fit nicely on your lovely bike.

Lesson 7: Tunning cars sucks. Tunning bike is hot.
Like Paris Hilton, I think this is really hot. Not a blue light under your bike, I mean. But adding a little bit of fantasy on your bike will make you stand out nicely in the boring urban decor.

Lesson 8: Enjoy the ride.
Cycling is a good way to appreciate your way to work. Take photos, feel the sun and enjoy!

In need of inspiration? 12 bikes for girls, an article on bike fashion in San-Francisco, a great blog about copenhagen cycle chic, The modern woman guide to cycle chic, wikipédia’s definition of cycle chic, and a shop full of great examples of cycle gear.

And now, let’s ride!