Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Curl

Celery and carrot curly salad

DSCN0819As a result of digging through the refrigerator for inventory/cleaning, a few celery stalks need consuming before they get limp(er). I love the unique scent and texture of this plant now but a long time ago in my teenage years, I disliked  celery for the same reasons. I’ve grown up a lot since then. I have a few foods that are still on my black list but I eat most anything. Obviously, I love foods, hello, I’m a not so meek food blogger!

This salad is a great companion to a meat heavy dish. It requires time to shave vegetables but for the namesake you must shave away. Although the act of plunging vegetables into ice cold water to make curls loses nutrients for sure, I enjoy the texture as well as the look.

Ingredients Serves 3-4 people

  • 4 stalks of celery
  • 2 medium size carrots (Mine was already curly)DSC_6392
  • Raisin or cranberry 1/3  cup

Instruction

  1. If you are using raisins, soak them in a small bowl of warm water for 5 minutes so they get soft. Drain and place on a paper towel to dry. Set aside.DSC_6416
  2. Wash celery well and cut in half. Use peeler to strip as much you can.
  3. Peel the outer layer of carrot first then discard. Use peeler to make long strip.DSC_6419
  4. In a large bowl of ice and water, soak the peeled vegetable strips until they start to curl.
  5. Drain and pat dry with paper towel. Serve on small bowl or plate. Sprinkle raisins or cranberries on top.

Italian salad dressing is best suited for this salad or try the easy dressing recipe below.

In a medium bowl, put 1 Tablespoon of seedless raspberry preserve (or honey) and 1 Tablespoon of water and microwave for 10 second to liquefy. Mix well with whisk then add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and 3 Tablespoons of rice vinegar. Whisk vigorously to combine. Add salt, white pepper and black pepper to taste. Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder or red pepper flakes for punch if you like. For sugar free version, use 1/2 teaspoon of sugar substitute in place of raspberry preserve and water. DSC_6428DSC_6424

Tasty apple sauce and salsa with fabulous kick! It was treat to attend a canning class at a friend’s house last Thursday. DSCN0709DSCN0704DSCN0703DSCN0710DSCN0705

We headed to Washington for our anniversary trip last Saturday.DSCN0716Snoqualmie Fall is about an hour’s drive from Seattle.DSCN0734This is touched up picture of before the construction of Salish Lodge and Spa.DSCN0749DSCN0743DSCN0740DSCN0721

See the little French door?DSCN0720You could open it and see the bathroom from the bedroom. But Why?DSCN0725Too bad we couldn’t see the TV from the bath tub.DSCN0727

Real wood burning fire place is neat. My husband showed off his manly side by making the fire for chilly evening.DSCN0722We had dinner at the Salish Lodge and Spa’s “The Dinning Room”.DSCN0763DSCN0762DSCN0769DSCN0772DSCN0767

We never turn down dessert. This is the restaurant’s famous chocolate soufflé.DSCN0773Deconstructed apple pieDSCN0775

We had breakfast at the same restaurant. The rainbow was a real bonus.DSCN0789

We stopped by Bellevue,Washington on our way home -  Bellevue City ParkDSCN0807DSCN0797Playful husband. Thank you for carrying my backpack while I took pictures.DSCN0799DSCN0817

 

Across the street is a tiny, Japanese style cake shop. “Fumie’s GoldDSCN0802

Where we had…. Strawberry Shortcake – So good!DSCN0803

Surprisingly, The zucchini friend gave us is still there in the fridge! I made chocolate zucchini bread.DSC_6361DSCN0713And there were green beans too. This is beef wrapped green beans. Loved it!DSC_6385

 

Post Office worker; What’s ‘F.R.A.G.I.L.E.’? A Birthday present from my daughter sent to my husband finally arrived.DSC_6402

 

 

 

10 comments:

  1. The beef wrapped beans look wonderful. Nice trip it looks like. Thanks for sharing everything with us. (Except we didn't get to see what Kurk got for his birthday). :)

    Leanne

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    1. Thank you Leanne. He got a big jar of honey. I'm glad made it here safe.

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  2. thanks a lot for sharing, great shots.

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  3. Great post!! I enjoyed the variety of topics. I love honey. I think it's the coolest food around.

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    1. Jalna, Thank you for your comment. I'm trying to perfect the dance move-it was fun watching different version of videos.

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  4. That carrot is so cute!! Although I can't say carrots are my favourite things ever. :P Your salad does sound quite delicious and refreshing though!

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    1. Thank you Jenny. I'm going to try your super-delicious looking chocolate cookie with peanut butter filling someday, after I loose some pounds. I wish the someday is today.

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  5. With this watter fall it looks like the big hôtel in the old "Tween Peaks" serie...
    No ?
    Best regards from Paris,

    Pierre

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    1. Yes it is! Good memory. My friend traveled to Paris last May. She loved there. I hope I can visit Paris next year. Thank you so much for your comment. I think your photograph are beautiful!

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