Gifted. I am lucky in my new hometown to live near so many agricultural farms. I am also lucky to have a friend who knows the farmers. I received a bunch of fresh water spinach and set out for a simple Little Jewel– Water Spinach with Sweet Soy Glaze. Continue reading Water Spinach with Sweet Soy Glaze
Yes, small victories count. Planting a small crop of lettuce provides salads for weeks, then sow more seeds and voila, lettuce appears. The simple Mesclun mixed variety is my favorite and produced this simply beautiful Victory Garden Salad a little jewel from the garden.
Celebrate, a small victory in my garden. As always, starting with the freshest most healthy ingredients are keys to a great salad. Now, residing in a tiny cottage in the central coast, life has changed. No more sprawling garden, space in my yard is a premium. I have three small areas to grow my garden favorites. Since space is so limited I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites. First on my list is growing lettuce for salads, from which I create a multitude of dishes, much more than just salads. For years I have been growing mesclun greens mix.
Mesclun is a Provençal word that describes a mix of tender salad greens and many times includes herbs. The name comes from “mesclular” which is a mixture, which describes this mix of lettuce, also sold as spring mix. It is frequently served in restaurants and widely available in the supermarkets. However, growing your own lettuce is easy and very rewarding. When you feel like a salad just go out and clip some fresh greens, no waste and many of varieties are “cut and come again” meaning if you clip the leaves more new leaves appear. Almost anyone can have a small victory garden, you can grow this lettuce in a 12”inch pot, perfect for apartment dwellers. A volunteer nasturtium joined the party.
Spring mix greens are in every store now. They are very tender and must be handled with care. Also, they tend to have a short life in the refrigerator, another reason to grow your own greens. In looking for a salad recipe the first chef to really feature these greens was Alice Waters, from her I take my lead.
Gently wash greens and place in a salad spinner then roll them loosely in a clean kitchen towel and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use. They are best used the same day, but can usually survive overnight, but not much longer.
My favorite dressing is French, made directly in a wooden salad bowl, then topped with the greens and brought to the table, ready to toss and serve. This dressing is my everyday dressing, my go-to in the kitchen. This real French dressing is simply made by place a small clove of garlic in a wooden salad bowl, with a pinch of salt and pepper and mashed into a paste using a wooden spoon. Dijon, red wine vinegar are added and mixed, then olive oil is whisked by hand until the dressing comes together. Voila, a perfect salad.
Grown your own Victory Garden Salad. Stay well.
Back to the basics here in the Bijouxs Kitchen these days. Basic food made with healthful ingredients is at the top of my cooking list. One of my on-hand basics are compound butters–they glam up the most humble of dishes, little jewels from the kitchen. Bijouxs Basics: Everything Butter.
The end of summer grilling, going out with one final fling. Grilled Rosemary Lamb with Garlic Butter, a little jewel and family favorite. Continue reading Grilled Rosemary Lamb with Garlic Butter
Keep calm and curry on, a new cooking mantra. Staying at home safe and sound has led me to try a variety of new recipes. A bowl of soup is always a comfort. Curry Bone Broth with Mushroom & Greens is very easy and makes use of pantry ingredients and fresh or frozen vegetables. Keep calm in the kitchen with Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen. Continue reading Curry Bone Broth with Mushrooms & Greens
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