Nora’s Kitchen also serves as overflow studio storage. Where a dining room table might be sits a crowded studio table where all the art magic happens. For larger pieces, she co-opts the spacious kitchen floor. The apartment in general serves as inspiration because many of Nora’s pieces document the spaces and adornments around her.

We begin our food adventures with a seriously fantastic juice Nora learned how to make while working in a cafe. Spinach! In juice! Try it now.

Nora says she is making mufongo, which is apparently common, though I’d never eaten it. The recipe is simple: plaintains and seasoning. The seasoning might be what makes it special. Nora adds garlic and cilantro generously and often. “I add this to a lot of dishes. I’m from Puerto Rico, so my boyriend calls it making it Rico,” she explains.