Tag Archives: mustard

Pressed Sandwiches with Turkey, Brie and Nectarine

I won’t talk about the weather because, my goodness.  Zzzzz, right?

All I know is, I’m still eating perfect peaches.  I’m still wearing shorts, a lot.  I’m still picnicking, barbecueing, and summer hiking.

In my experience, picnics tend to be marathon eating sessions.  They tend to be informal and leisurely: people come and go, and, well, no one should eat alone, right?

We’re gonna need sturdy food–something that still looks and tastes good a few hours later.

Pressed sandwiches are picnic-perfect.  I make them the night before (so there’s plenty of time to mix up a pitcher of sangria in the morning!).  Everything gets smooshed together between sturdy bread that soaks up just enough moisture and flavor.  They’re relatively easy to slice into neat squares, perfectly showcasing a terrine-like interior.  Cute, dare I say?

Probably not cute: eating for four hours straight.  Cute can be so overrated.

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Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart

There are needs: food, water, alone time.  Then there are “needs,” which are much more fun to discuss.  And that’s what I mean when I say I “need” you to make this before summer is over (it’s not!).

Other “needs” I have lately:

-Anklets, especially this cool zipper one.  I’m bringing them back!  Join me.  I don’t wanna look like a fool anymore.

-Knowing how to fix a garbage disposal.  This translates to having a garbage disposal, period.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

-Nice whiskey.  I haven’t found anything I like more than Laphroaig single malt scotch.  Treat yoself…  To peat in a bottle.

-A solid hour to devote to reading these Amazon reviews of Bic For Her.  Women!  Pens!  Hilarious.

-Finally, like I said, I need you to make this.  It’s that good.  David Lebovitz…  Thank you.

I’m talking ripe, good-as-they-get summer tomatoes, baked to a soft, concentrated mellow sweetness.  I’m also talking goat cheese–big hunks of it, with creamy warm centers and golden brown outsides.  Herbs, of course.  Incredibly flavorful, buttery crust.  And to send the whole thing to out-of-this-world excellence, we have sharp, good mustard and a drizzle of honey over the top.

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Roasted Cauliflower and Arugula Salad

I watched St. Elmo’s Fire last night, and I’m sort of concerned about Andie MacDowell.  If you haven’t seen it, or it’s been a while, all you need to know is: Emilio Estevez = legit CREEP in this movie.  And what does sweet, pretty Andie do when he shows up at her ski cabin where she’s staying with a seemingly far less creepy man?  Let him cozily spend the night at said ski cabin and offer him a pair of warm plaid flannel pajamas.  ANDIE.  He wants to lock you in his basement and weave blankets out of your hair, sister.

Was there no such thing as stalking in 1985?  Maybe no one knew about All Things Creepy before Silence of the Lambs came out in 1991.  Yeah, that must be it.

Meanwhile…  All I can do is make salad.  And what a salad this is!  In the rainy tail end days of “official” winter, we roast cauliflower.  Then there’s fresh baby arugula for a nutty, peppery crunch, dijon and lemon, sweet bits of dried cherries or raisins, Parmesan for savory fullness, and pine nuts, which were basically made to be with arugula forever.

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Soft Pretzels and Beer-Cheddar Fondue

I legit tried to like football.  I have watched (and will continue to watch) many a game at sports bars with my Vikings-obsessed dude.  Of course, he buys me Bloody Marys, so, you know.  Well played.

I’ll admit that the sport is often entertaining, and exciting, and sometimes even heartwarming.  And that silly pants Jared Allen is a hoot if I’ve ever seen one.   But it’s just not my thing.  Maybe that’s why I, according to every light beer (ew) commercial, as A Lady Wearing Something Other Than a Bikini, must be a fun-hating, potpourri-sniffing shrew (double ew).  I’m a bad person, but no fun I AM NOT.

So, yes.  The whole thing isn’t something I can fully embrace–football and I are on a side-hug basis.

But the food.  Oh, the food.  Anything that gave us the 2nd biggest eating holiday of the year gets at least one side hug.  Of course, when you gorge your face with nachos and beer for 3+hours, it might be the only kind of hug you can manage.  It’s okay.

Speaking of, if you’re going to stuff your face with impunity (and game-day food), you really ought to consider the following: carbs, salt, cheese, more cheese, beer and mustard.  It can all be packaged together like this:

Chewy, delicious homemade soft pretzels, generously salted.  Plus, beer and cheddar fondue with spicy mustard.

The whole thing takes some time and effort, but it’s perfect for a smallish gathering.  If you’re willing to make homemade soft pretzels and fondue for more than six lucky souls…  Tell me and I’ll call the Pope so he can make you a saint already.  Or maybe Vice Pope.

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Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta

Sometimes I am capable of pulling my hand out of the box of cinnamon Cheerios long enough make a wholesome, adult dinner–it’s true!  Behold, pasta with lots of vegetables, plus a lean, mean, mustard-based sauce.  Maybe some cheese.  Maaaayyybe just a smidge.

Once in a while, I need to detox from all the Delicious Things, and the thing about food detox is that often, that part is totally delicious, too.  Unlike, say, Xanax or heroin detox, so…  Don’t do drugs.  Just eat butter and drink beer for a week, then follow it up with something that grows in dirt.  Problems solved!  Societal ills…  I’m coming after all of you–with a bowl of pasta.

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