March 8, 2012
I’ll admit it: I am already greedily longing for spring and summer, despite the blissfully mild central Ohio winter we have had.
Forgive me. I grew up in Texas. And I’m almost certain tomatoes are already in season. OK, that’s being dramatic.
But this daikon slaw somehow reminds me of summer. And grilling outdoors. And warm weather. And love.
It’s simple to pull together from what has kept well during the still – quite seriously – dark days of winter. Its Asian flavors make it interesting for topping a hot dog or snuggling up to a nice piece of pan-roasted fish. It’s as fancy or homey as you want it to be. Flexibility with flair.
And that tastes great any season of the year.
Pickled Daikon Radish Slaw
1 very large daikon radish, peeled and shredded
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
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Posted in Carrots, Cauliflower, Coriander, Daikon, Music, Recipes, Salad, Vegetarian |
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January 26, 2012
Beets make me happy. I know.
But I love their color and their dense, earthy flavor, greatly enhanced by slow roasting them whole for what almost feels like too long.
I make sure to buy them whole, with their greens attached. Because beet greens are delicious. I’ll show you an old family recipe for that soon (updated with the addition of some duck fat). But in the meantime, head out to the store, buy some whole beets and give this simple composed salad a try. Diana Henry’s recipe will get lots of good vitamins in you during the dark days of winter, good for staving off, the best you can, all those winter colds.
Playlist included Game of Thrones Freestyle, by Gotye featuring Dice Raw.
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Posted in Beets, Chèvre, Cheese, Recipes, Salad, Vegetarian |
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January 17, 2012
I was recently forwarded this Nigel Slater article that really drives home the importance of doing some big cooking on the weekend (such as this roast pork shoulder in the article) so that you have enough for several meals that require minimal prep for the rest of the week. I love cooking in this way. And pork shoulder is literally one of the most cooked cuts in this house. It’s economical and super, super flavorful.
Our leftover roast pork was converted into tacos one night. And one of the things I often find elevates the humble taco is the quality of the crispy cold salad on top. At good taco stands, you’ll find some cold radishes, or perhaps some chopped onion and cilantro, maybe a bit of lime to squeeze on top of that rich carnitas or barbacoa. I love the contrast in flavors, textures and temperatures.
This quick cold salad is tasty enough on its own for lunch, but is fantastic on some of that pork. You can sub some radishes and apples (add lovely sweetness) for the cactus or jicama, if you have trouble finding them. But the cactus is so full of gorgeous green flavor, and the jicama so sweet and crunchy, do make an effort to stop in a reputable Hispanic market with brisk turn over in its produce department to track some down to try. Next time I make this, I might also toss in a green onion thinly sliced and perhaps some pomegranate arils for extra crunch.
Nopales and Jicama with Prickly Pear Vinagrette
For the salad:
1 small cactus pad, carefully trimmed well of all spines, rinsed, then cut into small batons
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Posted in Cactus, Coriander, Mexican, Music, Peppers, Prickly Pear, Quick, Recipes, Salad, Tex-Mex, Vegetarian |
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July 11, 2011
I adore the big pots of mesclun that have been moved to the shadier spots in my backyard now summer is in full swing. A few snips and I have the base for a fabulous summer lunch.
There’s no real dressing to make, just assembling a couple of ingredients, including a few slices of Serrano ham, shavings of Parmesan and a handful of yellow cherries pickled with Chinese Five Spice. Somehow these three things paired with just picked lettuces and tender herbs result in a taste greater than the sum of their parts.
The cherries were the result of about an hour in the kitchen over the weekend. Now preserved for the dark days of winter, I couldn’t help but crack into one of the jars for this salad. And I’m glad I did. I have to make more of these while cherries are still in season. I did not make enough. These cherries are not only wonderful in this salad, but perfection with a cheese plate. I want to have plenty on hand to dish out with nibbles of cheese when friends pop in for a cocktail.
For the salad, combine
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Posted in Appetizers, Cheese, Cherries, Local Foods, Lunch, Music, Olive Oil, Preserving, Quick, Recipes, Salad, Seasonal, Summer |
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June 20, 2011
This past weekend, Cherub and I, along with some Slow Food Columbus members and friends descended upon Schacht Farm Market for the last weekend of you-pick strawberries. I left with ten pounds. Ten pounds.
I knew there would be jam, cobblers and desserts in store, but I wanted some for lunch. And it wasn’t like I had to worry if there would be enough. There were obviously plenty.
I quickly cobbled together a strawberry panzanella salad that just hit the spot after a morning’s work of picking. It didn’t hurt that we had a bit of past its prime ciabatta that made the base. And growing the in back yard is plenty of basil, parsley and mint. I sliced up some green onions I’d picked up at the farmer’s market, although I do prefer and adore red onion in this salad. As for a dressing, a generous drizzling of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, few twists of pepper and a pinch of salt are all you need, lemon if you have it. And of course the berries. Lots of those.
Strawberry Panzanella Salad, Serves two (plus a little four year old)
2 c slightly stale bread, cut into large cubes (I used ciabatta)
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Posted in Bread, Columbus, Cooking Tips, Farmers Market, Farms, Kid Friendly Fare, Local Foods, Lunch, Music, Ohio, Olive Oil, Quick, Recipes, Salad, Seasonal, Strawberries, Summer, Vegetarian |
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May 30, 2011
This started with my current obsession, which is oddly and plainly, roasting potatoes.
From which rose a lovely collection of small plates that we passed and shared over a couple of glasses of wine. Well, Cherub didn’t have any wine.
It was all easily pulled together a Monday night on a long weekend, Memorial Day here in America and Bank Holiday for those across the pond. It’s a leisurely way to enjoy a meal or entertain. It’s basically the more familiar tapas only with Mediterranean flair. In fact many a Greek meal begins and ends entirely with mezedes.
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Posted in Chicken, Cooking Tips, Cucumber, Entertaining, Greek, Music, Olives, Pork, Potatoes, Recipes, Rhubarb, Salad, Seasonal, Summer, World Cuisine |
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May 8, 2011
Mother’s Day afternoon was spent just how I wanted it: out at a gorgeous farm, with good food, family and friends. Pleasantview Farm is twenty miles outside of Columbus, but feels a world away. The farm is quiet with vast expanses of meadow and sky. A working organic dairy farm, it is home to a great many head of beautiful dairy cows and their adorable offspring.
Since it was a potluck, I brought along an easy asparagus salad that was drizzled with a mustard dressing just before serving (a Ball jar works great for this). It was an easy, no fuss day. Perfect for Mother’s Day.
Asparagus Salad with Shallots, serves plenty at a potluck
2 pounds asparagus, stringy ends removed
1 thick slice of pancetta, cut into 1/4 inch dice
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Posted in Asparagus, Columbus, Family, Farms, Local Foods, Milk, Music, Ohio, Quick, Recipes, Salad, Seasonal, Side Dish, Slow Food, Spring |
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I’ll admit it: I am already greedily longing for spring and summer, despite the blissfully mild central Ohio winter we have had.
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