Sunday, July 17, 2005

Not My Own Dish

Beloved husband and co-cook made this one. Salade Niçoise. It's worth two pictures.
First of all, the produce is FRESH -- from the farmers' market. Brand-new beans, potatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, even eggs. The tomatoes are from my patio. The anchovies are from a little bottle, and the tuna is canned Sicilian Flot ventresca. The olives -- pitted kalamatas from Trader Joe's. Convenience in a jar.
The flavor is totally earthy, and I kinda couldn't stop moaning out there on the patio as I ate. Oh, vinaigrette: Some champagne vinegar, a dab of Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, and a huge swoosh of fruity olive oil; shake in a little jar.

9 comments:

Guy said...

Aren't those olives wonderful? They go just about everywhere, especially good in my mowf.
Our local TJ's started carrying the Creme Fraiche again, yay !!! Since I can't eat gravies anymore, got any ideas for making it go? Other than gravy? I love gravy flavors.

Biggles

cookiecrumb said...

You have my profound pity. The only reason I even roast a turkey on Thanksgiving is the gravy.
What exactly are you having to avoid? Can you wallow in duck fat? Would you even consider Marmite? (Go see Sam's doctored photo today.)
Oh, here's an idea for creme fraiche: linguine, English peas, bits of smoked salmon, sauteed minced shallot, all tossed with that good gloop.

Anonymous said...

the salad looks delicious......just wondering what to have for lunch - do you deliver ;-)

Guy said...

MmmMmmmm, linguine.

Uh, it's gout. Purines are the things I have to avoid and are in pretty much everything we consume. Just more in what I used to consume vast quantities. I love duck fat and even a bit more, the goose fat. But I think lard is still my alltime favorite.
I had a vegetarian burrito today, gack. I make a horrible vegetarian.

Biggles

cookiecrumb said...

Alison: You're the Chutney Chef?? How totally kewl!!
Biggles: I don't think I'd even visit your blog if it was called VegetableHenge. Oh, yes, I probably would. My sympathies to your big toe. (Eat corn! It's ready now.)

Anonymous said...

CC: yes, i make chutney - i love the art of blogging - very entertaining.....thank you!

Farmgirl Susan said...

Now I'm really hungry, and ten minutes ago I'd just decided it was too hot to eat. That salad looks divine, and I that serving plate is gorgeous. Yum, yum, yum.

Sure do miss the Marin Farmer's Market (and Bay Area food in general). I grew up a few miles from the Civic Center.

P.S. Oh gravy! On my Top Ten Foods List!

cookiecrumb said...

farmgirl: I knew you were a former Californian, but had no idea you were also a Marinian. San Rafael?
Both my parents are St. Louisians. Small world.
Congrats on your farm -- I'm really jealous. Think the townhouse association would let me have goats on the patio?

Farmgirl Susan said...

Oh no, no, no. You don't want goats! They eat EVERYTHING (and they smell strange). You want sheep! Then you could bribe the townhouse association with a hand-knit wool sweater (or lamb chops). :)

P.S. Yep, grew up in Marin. Bit north of the Civic Center. Migrated up to various parts of Sonoma County. Haven't been back to CA since I moved, though. Too bizarre that your parents are from St. Louis. Very, very small world. Especially since I logged on to clomp over here for a visit and your comment on my blog popped up!