Salads

Tostada Salad

22 March 2010 by Jean Johnson
Finally overcame some serious inertia and got started on the third in the measurefree trilogy: Grow Your Own: From the Garden to the Table. So you can say you saw it here first. Also a variation on the theme in a video at the bottom of this post. "Tostadas: So ...

Thoughts on a Measurefree Life–and Ian McEwan’s Hearty School

1 November 2009 by Jean Johnson
Here's how Booker Award winner Ian McEwan describes not measuring in his novel, Saturday. The passage comes through Henry Perowne, neurosurgeon and husband of Rosalind: "What he likes about cooking is its relative imprecision and lack of discipline--a release from the demands of the [operating] theatre. In the kitchen, the consequences ...

Cooking for the New Economy, Thai-Style

10 April 2009 by Jean Johnson
Who better than to take cues for economizing than the Thais. For centuries these creative southeast Asian cooks fromĀ  have used local, seasonal ingredients and a flair for building flavor right in the bowl to regale eaters far and wide. Americans, in particular, have fallen in love with Thai food ...

Spring Salad on a Theme of Tabouleh

16 March 2009 by Jean Johnson
Who says tabbouleh must always be made with Bulgar wheat and the requisite parsley and mint. Surely not a creative cook who understands grain salads. Ditto for Spring Salad on a Theme of Radishes andĀ  Jicama from Cooking Beyond Measure. No need to start with spaghetti squash if there's a ...

Fresh Sprouts Help the Cause

31 January 2009 by Jean Johnson
Our street is fortunate to have some old-school, retired neighbors that are always there for you. During our big snow when my car was blocked by a hip-deep drift, I was headed out to catch a bus to the post office when Glenn Bell said, "Heck, I've got chains on. ...

Inauguration Slaw 44

18 January 2009 by Jean Johnson
With Barack Obama--our 44th history-making president-- poised to take the helm, we're all thinking about the inauguration. What better way to celebrate than making Inauguration Slaw 44. Indeed, this slaw represents what Mr. Obama is about and what he's asking from us as Americans. It's about change--change in our consumption habits, ...

Ruffled Roses, Brita’s Norwegian Salmon Cakes, Spinach Salad, and Pinot Usher in a Pacific Northwest New Year

1 January 2009 by Jean Johnson
When Susan Coleman asked about my New Year's food tradition I had no answer. No tamales like a proper Mexican madre. No black eyed peas like a good Southerner. Then I opened a Christmas card from my Norwegian relatives and spotted the word fiskekakker (fish cakes). "Why not start a tradition ...

Toasted Sesame Oil & Balsamic with Beets & Gorgonzola

26 October 2008 by Jean Johnson
As usual, it's what you put on your foundation that makes or breaks a meal. Buried under all the Gorgonzola and toasted walnuts are nothing more than beets, garbs, and beet greens plus Swiss chard. Here's how it all worked. My first catering job appeared last week, so I turned to ...

Fresh Carrots

8 August 2008 by Jean Johnson
Cooking Beyond Measure includes a Carrot Slaw with Frozen Grapes (page 142) for the winter. Once you discover how marvelous carrots are grated on the fine side of your box grater, though, you'll probably be like me and grate them up no matter the time of year. ...

Homemade Starters for Dinner: Stoned Salad Rolls

18 July 2008 by Jean Johnson
When it's too hot to even think about boiling the pasta water, try a variation on homemade hummus with a little blue cheese crumbled over the top and a drizz of good oil. Here I smashed up some limas and favas I'd cooked earlier. Seasoned nicely with what have ...