Dressing Up

Grape, Celery and Couscous Salad

The environments where we grew up at were different
So of course we would have our likes and dislikes
Like hating the summer or liking celery, isn’t it like that
What’s more we’re a man and a woman.
Of course our differences would be inevitable
It leads to trying to compromise and whishing for too much

When I use celery in dish, the music starts playing in my head – Smap’s (Japanese singer/actor group) ‘Celery’ released in May of 1997. Perhaps it’s hard to tell watching the video but, they are still popular today (my favorite is the one with the guitar). If you would like to read the story of how I obtained the most coveted concert ticket click here….maybe not. It’s ok, it’s a very long post and embarrassing, really.. but to me is FAN tastic!

Sometimes I would be very good and have sensible light dinner…the orange dressing is just perfect on this salad…mmmm so good! ……………………..Honey, do we still have  chocolate mousse left in the refrigerator?

Ingredients and Instruction for 4 servings (Print recipe here)

• 1 cup pearl/Israeli couscous
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1-2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar (I used white balsamic vinegar)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces halved red seedless grapes  Note: for the molded salad, I cut in quarters. 
• 3 thinly sliced stalks celery plus 1/2 cup celery leaves
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts, toasted (optional)

1. Cook couscous according to package instructions. When done, transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool.
2. Put orange zest, juice, olive oil and vinegar in a small bowl or jar. Whisk vigorously to combine or put lid on tight to shake jar well. Season  to taste with salt and pepper.Set aside.
3. To the bowl of couscous, add halved grapes, celery and celery leaves.
4. Pour dressing and toss well. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Serve chilled. Add pine nuts if you like. 

Fiesta! I hope you had a great Cinco de Mayo. I made all vegetable enchilada …I think it needs something…like chicken? And decidedly more sauce.

Made in Hood River, Oregon, these Juanita corn chips are awesome!

This was not a mistake! It was supposed to be charred (well). Brussels sprouts with pecan nuts for a side dish. Interesting…my husband almost burned the recipe itself in the grill. Brussels sprouts are not his thing.

Chaw and Chatter’s apple ginger juice Feliz día de mayo!

That concluded our vegetarian feast.

Becoming a weekend yeast warrior- My husband – No Knead Bread recipe from Sullivan Street Bakery of New York. Took him over 24 hours to complete. It has a slight sourdough bread flavor.

Whatever the differences, in short, to put it simply I love you – my favorite part of the ‘Celery’ song.

Curl

Celery and carrot curly salad

As 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)
• 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.
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.
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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Where we had…. Strawberry Shortcake – So good!

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

 

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