My Greek Salad To-Go

If you’ve seen my Facebook wall, or hung around here for any length of time, you might have figured out that I love good food. Because of this predilection, I essentially was forced to learn to cook fairly well at a fairly early age. Going out to restaurants is expensive and while I love to go out, it does tend to get pricey. So I learned to cook.

I remember making Chioppino when I was in school just because I saw a recipe in a magazine and it looked good.

Click on the image to see NJ Paleo Girl’s Blog. She’s a good writer.

Just recently, I have gotten into making Bo Ssam, as well as a mixed bean salad with cilantro, onion, pepper and gorgonzola. I’ve always loved crab, even better than shrimp, and sushi is a favorite. However, there are “hangover tastes” left over from my earlier days: my childhood, poor times and sometimes it’s just crap food that I simply like. How about some examples? I simply love peanut butter on rye toast. With butter. I used to eat it as a kid and I still do on occasion. And not any fancy-schmancy peanut butter with lumps. I prefer the creamy stuff.

And even more disgusting: I like ham sandwiches with yellow mustard. On squishy white bread. I don’t know where I get this…

Now I can “gourmand” with the best of them. I love Thomas Keller’s work at the French Laundry and Per Se. The French Laundry is Mecca for me. And I hope to go have dinner there one day.

Here are a few examples of yesterday’s menu:

SALAD OF FRENCH LAUNDRY GARDEN BEETS

Compressed Asian Pear, Grapefruit, Marcona Almonds,

Green Tea and Gin-Crème Fraîche

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SALAD OF BLACK MISSION FIGS

Fennel Bulb, Piedmont Hazelnuts, Arugula and 100-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar

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MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM CONSOMMÉ

Baby Octopus, Pearl Onions, Tapioca, Tokyo Turnips and Mizuna

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Now this is something I can get into. But occasionally, the “comfort food craving” comes out and I don’t want to be challenged. I simply want a Jack-in-the-Box taco. Disgusting? Absolutely. Delicious? Once a year, I have to have it.

I love all kinds of things. And I love, simply love good food. I eat pretty healthy: Homemade soups, lots of salads and beans. But there are those times when the commonplace and sometimes downright ordinary rear their trashy head. Oreos anyone?

What are those foods you absolutely have to have from time to time? It could be anything. A hot dog? Slice of pizza? Windmill cookies? Or does a “Yoo-Hoo” do the trick?

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