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Salad Niçoise

There’s nothing like a mid-winter picnic, especially if Salad Niçoise is part of the equation. The other day my daughter asked if we could eat dinner outside. It was sunny, the temperature in the mid-sixties. My answer? Most definitely. We bundled up – each in a cozy sweater – and set up our colorful spread on the scraggly winter landscape. For the Salad Niçoise, I took my inspiration from Julia Child and piled on delicately steamed French beans, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, and everything deliciously funky: Tuna, olives, capers and a few anchovies (for salty chew). A handful of crackers with cheese completed dinner (though a hunk of crusty bread would be nice, too). My husband flashed us all back to his “Mr Picky” days as he struggled to down one solitary anchovy. He did the work but remains unconvinced of their merits. My daughter escaped the challenge since she’s a self-proclaimed vegetarian, focusing her efforts instead on the vegetables and cheese (for protein). As for myself, I ate everything. While we enjoyed our meal, the sun sunk behind our neighbors’ rooftop (taking the warmth with …

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Cognac n’ Herb Tapenade

Introducing the black diamond of Monaco: Tapenade. She glitters in the night. She belies the briny bite of the absolutely fabulous. But here’s the thing. She’s also, not so secretly, rustic. This dip and crostini topper has its origins in the grassy hills of Provence. Love for this treat spills over into Monaco and parts of Italy. While many people pulverize their blend to a paste (with a mortar and pestle or even a food processor), I prefer a rustic, coarse mixture. I like seeing the capers and slices of olives. I like seeing bits of herbs. So all I do is run my knife through the ingredients a few times. The choice is yours but, either way, this mixture tastes grand – dressed up with cognac, capers, and a sprinkling of rosemary and thyme. Serve at the beginning of your next garden party, on crusty, toasted baguette, spread on crackers, with cheese as an hors d’ouvre. And be sure to raise a glass to Provence and even sunny Monaco. Ingredients: 1/4 cup capers 2-4 anchovy …

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Algerian Sunset Salad – Blood Oranges, Fennel, & Black Olives

Serves 4 Blood orange give this salad a reddish hue. The anise of the fennel combined with the salty black olives and sweet oranges makes for an unusual combination. Ingredients: 2 blood oranges, the rind cut off and sectioned 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced thinly 1/4 cup oil-cured black olives 1/4 cup mint leaves, sliced thinly 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp lemon juice salt pepper Method: 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and mint leaves. 2. Add orange segments, fennel, and olives. Toss to combine. 3. Let sit overnight & adjust seasonings as necessary. Algerian Sunset Salad with Blood Oranges, Fennel, & Black Olives Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Blood orange give this salad a reddish hue. The anise of the fennel combined with the salty black olives and sweet oranges makes for an unusual combination. CourseSides & Salads LifestyleGluten-Free, Potluck Friendly, Vegan, Vegetarian Food TypeFruit, Vegetables Servings Prep Time 4 people 15 minutes Passive Time 8 hours Servings Prep Time 4 people 15 minutes …

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