Friends, it is supposed to reach 98° F here today (that is 36.6 for you Celsius folks) and I am just this shy of filling up a sippy cup with rosé, stringing it around my neck and calling it a day. I strolled the aisles of the supermarché this morning for an extra long while just to suck in as much air-conditioning as possible and I could tell that I wasn’t exactly the only lolly-gagger either.
So, like many of you, I have been avoiding the oven as if Todd Akin was hiding in it (actually if he were I might be tempted to turn it on–oops, did I write that?). Happily this time of year, the simplest ingredients make for fine meals. This Greek salad’s presentation was inspired by the amazing “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”. Sigh. I want to be an 85-year-old sushi master, don’t you?
But there is nothing innovative in slicing and dicing. I did come up with a new spread as an alternative to hummus however, using some of the same ingredients in a moment of utter desperation as Remi pushed back lunch “for just a bit later” yet again. In to the food processor, or robot as they are called here, went some sun-dried tomatoes in their oil (about five), along with half a container of feta, a handful of sardines and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. I know, it sounds odd but it certainly was interesting, especially if you have a few leaves of peppery black basil to throw in as well as crunchy bread to smooth it on. Non?
But last night, after I had sheepishly suggested “Gazpacho?” for dinner for the fifth time this week and was met with a raised eyebrow, I high tailed it into the hot zone once and for all and did a fishy Asian take on steak frites. I know that quite a few of you like to cook and are no strangers to spice-crusted salmon. My version involved cumin, paprika, curcuma, chipolte and an especially American mix called “smokehouse maple” that was brought back from the States. I baked the filets on low heat and then made a little crumble (it is in fashion to call everything a crumble in France these days) for the top with diced almonds, more chipolte powder and soy sauce that I also drizzled lightly on the salmon. For the “fries”, I steamed haricots jaunes then sautéed them in sesame oil and fish sauce along with a shallot and a bit of spring onion with sprinkled flaxseed on the lot. The “ketchup” was a bit of tomato purée with more soy sauce, lime juice and a splash of tabasco. Voila!
and just because it is so catchy:
So tell me, what do you have cookin’?
Yep, they call sardines the perfect food–I figure that it is good for my noggin'. 🙂
Trust me Angela–you do NOT want to be here right now!! And how wonderful to make your own bread. With a bakery across the street I am too lazy to do so!
So funny! I've got one of those European husbands too. No way could I get away with Gazpacho more than once a month. I love that maple spice rub for salmon. My friend Sienna brought me back some from Seattle, and it's amazing!!
My last few grocery trips were extra long ones as well. It feels to damn good in there to hurry.
Last night I managed to make a risotto. It felt like I too was cooking as I stood at the stove stirring for an hour (I'm a moron).
But good news… the temps are supposed to come down a bit this weekend!!! 🙂
YUM! I wish you had invented the sun-dried tomato spread when I was there (you know how I love them..)! And the salmon-with-crumble and haricots jaunes look mighty tasty, too. What did I have cookin' tonight? My favorite Amy's frozen pizza – the one with cornmeal crust and goat cheese, and for dessert, my famous oatmeal peanut butter cookies with chocolate and peanut butter chips!
Heather…this looks amazing! I really think I'm making this tomorrow night when my parents come over! Thanks so much for posting this! And yes, that song is very catchy! It will be stuck in my head all night now! LOL! Hope you are doing well!
Your spread sounds divine, I'll have to try it. Just had tomatoes, feta, cucumber, olives, oregano and avacado, tossed with evoo and vinegar, yum. Perhaps they need to keep Aikin running in order to let people see the real side of that party…
Looks heavenly delicious but still cooking a hot meal on a hot day sounds like a courageous labour of love. If only Remi didn't raised eyebrow…Baked, steamed, sauteed and Voila! This worth much more than a serenade and the next heroic cooking is on gentleman?
I'll try to make your feta/tomato spread.
Heather please visit my blog for desserts.
The recipes sound so delicious. I too have been a very lazy cook lately. The heat just makes me want to run out of the kitchen. I could survive on bread, tomatoes, olive oil and fruit.
Love it – like the rose' around the neck idea…
Yes, Todd, keep talking, Babe…we love it…
Patty