It is sunshine on a plate, and I want to eat it now. I'd also like some of those angels tears to fall on my garden, and darken the very bright sun blasting us in the tropics today.
Citrus is nature’s gift to winter - and its gloom. A grapefruit girl myself, getting my knives professionally sharpened recently was a revelation. I can almost credibly supreme the fruits, even as I hope not to draw blood. And through the darkness, I know the sweet-tart juice-filled sections will make the sun shine in my mouth and in my mind.
Thank you for sharing such a lovely, simple recipe.
I love me some grapefruit, but my statin intake keeps me from it. There is something oddly satisfying about supreming citrus for one's own enjoyment, but most of the time, keeping things simple (and at a lower risk of blood loss) is a less stressful way to prepare a meal.
I made— and subsequently hoovered— my version. Couldn’t find golden beets, but I’m going to try again next time I see them. The stripped down version was still pretty great.
I am VERY happy to hear this, Karl. Agreed about the stripped down version. Marinating the beets in a little vinegar and mirin was a recent discovery, but you can do pretty much anything to this salad and not screw it up (which is very good when my powers of concentration are not at their best).
I had a similar salad on a sunny Roman day a few weeks ago (Marigold, a Scandinavian place on the edge of this historic center is a wonderful respite from carbonara & carnival treats) They added a few leaves of radicchio & a creamy avocado dressing. I have been wanting to recreate it here in Venice with some Sicilian oranges & radicchio from the Veneto countryside. (the avocado dressing was delicious, but unnecessary) Thank you for the reminder!
The lovely thing about salads like these is you can add whatever you want to them, so long as it makes you happy. Also, I'm spending two weeks in Venice this October and will definitely be reading you!
I spent half an October day there a million years ago. It was cold and pouring rain and puddles everywhere. I snuck away from my family long enough to sip an overpriced whiskey at Caffé Florian. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.
Now it will probably still be summer. Last October we were still eating lunch at the beach on Lido and not wearing jackets until almost the end of the month! (Please pack a jacket and an umbrella, it will probably snow this year 😂)
We're finally gray, a bit of rain, here, a day after the tourist parade when internet and phones barely worked due to the gobs of people! Bring on the hagfish! I'll take the gray and the rain - and that salad. Went outside just long enough to start weeding but neighbors wanted to give me throws, or discuss costumes, or add "Gras" to every. day. through Tuesday. No. Perhaps I can sneak out, get those ingredients, and greet the masses with a smile after. (Who do I kid?)
You have such a way with words; perfect to find this morning.
I used to live in the Castro in San Francisco and would always grit my teeth for the onslaught of Pride. I imagine your annoyance is probably 10x worse.
Last night a hard rain, today so far gray but the sun is supposed to come up later. I'm typing in a room painted with Kingston Blue, deep and tropical. Today is one of the alternative walking parades, three subgroups which begin separate routes, meeting up at the end. The one near me is the Krewe of Dead Beans. All the groups make costumes from red beans, gluing them by hand. That one is fun, plus I can walk away. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras and then, finally, Ash Wednesday, when all ceases - at least for a few weeks. When festivities aren't outside - and above - my home, so I get to decide if I want to join in, I'm fine. But yes, too much too often. Thanks.
"j'ai des papillons noirs" is the French term for depression - literally "I have black butterflies", and I find that too cool and descriptive not to use.
As far as bananas, I remember reading somewhere they contain tryptophan, which can heighten your mood.
Ah. Thank you. My restaurant French is alright but my understanding of the language's idioms leaves a lot to be desired. Also: Now I understand the bananas!
Aside from this piece being hilarious, you’ve got me more than halfway convinced I should go to the store and get these ingredients, even though I’ve always hated beets. My wife says I might like the golden beets better.
I HATED beets as a boy. I'm now "fine" with red beets (pickled or served with crumbles of feta, dill, and a drizzle of good of olive oil help). Golden beets, however, are more user friendly-- especially when given a little marination. And they don't make you panic at the urinal the next day.
How NICE to see your face, amico! Sorry the world is awash in gray at the moment (FWIW it's raining in Virginia, too). Cheer up, February will be over in a couple of months ;-) Baci xx
"February will be over in a couple of months" is quite an apt statement in terms of how I feel about it. And the damed thing is 29 days long this year!
Well it looks like someday soon i just might have something in common with angels! It's a stretch, but I'll take what I can get. Thank you for the antidepressant recipe. Currently I use ice cream. Let's take a walk. Feb 17th? I am available after 10:30. Please let me know. Your devoted cousin, AM
This is lovely... and in perfect sync with the Lunar New Year celebrations when we are all drowning in oranges, clementines and mandarins. Wishing you a happy and prosperous Dragon year with just a soupçon of ‘gris’ for the mill...
I wonder if it was my subconscious that lead me to the Lunar New Year citrus? I'd been thinking about it a lot last week but then got so involved in this post I thought I'd forgotten all about it. Also "'gris' for the mill" caused me to groan (with delight). Thank you.
I have this weird condition that absolutely requires me to sing words that I hear that are lyrics. For instance every time my fella says he’s going to put another log on the fire I immediately sing “cook me up some bacon and some beans”
But to get back to the post at hand - yes paint a wall some warm yummy colour. I’m not your therapist but I am a therapist and it is something I very much would encourage.
That salad looks indeed like sunshine on a plate and I am really going to make it.
Also, just news that might cheer you or at least distract you - the last two weeks before Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is called ‘the dons’ and is usually a time to lay low, cozy up and not attempt much. I describe it as pms of the earth. But today is losar so things should pick up.
Gray is one of my favorite colors (loads of gray shirts). I was thinking, it is your canvas - if you need some brightening, some bold photos of fantastic food for your walls. Bright colors, wonderful shapes. Nature stuff too, or classic movie posters…but since you you have the food thing going…
I've got red silk throw pillows, a solid red rug, and some oil paintings to set things off a bit. I LOVE my grey walls but, like I wrote, wearing all gray, looking out at gray weather while being surrounded by four gray walls when in the middle of a depression is not something I should make a habit of.
I totally get that. And you recognized it. And I think you found a great way to work with it and shared with us a totally workable solution (even for me with all of my food allergies!) that is visually stunning, tantalizing to the tastebuds, and great for the gut-brain connection. Thank you.
It is sunshine on a plate, and I want to eat it now. I'd also like some of those angels tears to fall on my garden, and darken the very bright sun blasting us in the tropics today.
Citrus is nature’s gift to winter - and its gloom. A grapefruit girl myself, getting my knives professionally sharpened recently was a revelation. I can almost credibly supreme the fruits, even as I hope not to draw blood. And through the darkness, I know the sweet-tart juice-filled sections will make the sun shine in my mouth and in my mind.
Thank you for sharing such a lovely, simple recipe.
p.s. Gray is just an invitation to accessorize.
I love me some grapefruit, but my statin intake keeps me from it. There is something oddly satisfying about supreming citrus for one's own enjoyment, but most of the time, keeping things simple (and at a lower risk of blood loss) is a less stressful way to prepare a meal.
P.S. I know what you mean about gray.
I made— and subsequently hoovered— my version. Couldn’t find golden beets, but I’m going to try again next time I see them. The stripped down version was still pretty great.
I am VERY happy to hear this, Karl. Agreed about the stripped down version. Marinating the beets in a little vinegar and mirin was a recent discovery, but you can do pretty much anything to this salad and not screw it up (which is very good when my powers of concentration are not at their best).
I’m actually eager now to try with the golden beets!
Atta boy!
I had a similar salad on a sunny Roman day a few weeks ago (Marigold, a Scandinavian place on the edge of this historic center is a wonderful respite from carbonara & carnival treats) They added a few leaves of radicchio & a creamy avocado dressing. I have been wanting to recreate it here in Venice with some Sicilian oranges & radicchio from the Veneto countryside. (the avocado dressing was delicious, but unnecessary) Thank you for the reminder!
The lovely thing about salads like these is you can add whatever you want to them, so long as it makes you happy. Also, I'm spending two weeks in Venice this October and will definitely be reading you!
Yay! October is a wonderful month to be here.
I spent half an October day there a million years ago. It was cold and pouring rain and puddles everywhere. I snuck away from my family long enough to sip an overpriced whiskey at Caffé Florian. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.
That is the absolute DREAM.
Now it will probably still be summer. Last October we were still eating lunch at the beach on Lido and not wearing jackets until almost the end of the month! (Please pack a jacket and an umbrella, it will probably snow this year 😂)
I very much appreciate the advice! I'm a San Franciscan, so layering for warmth (even in the summer) is second nature to me.
We're finally gray, a bit of rain, here, a day after the tourist parade when internet and phones barely worked due to the gobs of people! Bring on the hagfish! I'll take the gray and the rain - and that salad. Went outside just long enough to start weeding but neighbors wanted to give me throws, or discuss costumes, or add "Gras" to every. day. through Tuesday. No. Perhaps I can sneak out, get those ingredients, and greet the masses with a smile after. (Who do I kid?)
You have such a way with words; perfect to find this morning.
I appreciate that, Duffey.
I used to live in the Castro in San Francisco and would always grit my teeth for the onslaught of Pride. I imagine your annoyance is probably 10x worse.
Last night a hard rain, today so far gray but the sun is supposed to come up later. I'm typing in a room painted with Kingston Blue, deep and tropical. Today is one of the alternative walking parades, three subgroups which begin separate routes, meeting up at the end. The one near me is the Krewe of Dead Beans. All the groups make costumes from red beans, gluing them by hand. That one is fun, plus I can walk away. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras and then, finally, Ash Wednesday, when all ceases - at least for a few weeks. When festivities aren't outside - and above - my home, so I get to decide if I want to join in, I'm fine. But yes, too much too often. Thanks.
Oh lord, it's both Valentine's Day AND Ash Wednesday at the same time. That pretty much sums up my love life.
Nice hagfish reference. Deep dive, that one... all the way to the bottom even.
Well, I've spent a bit of time down there, so I'm well familiar. Also: Howdy!
Possible alternative ingredients: banana and almonds. Otherwise, I shall have to try this when the black butterflies visit.
You get black butterflies? That sounds so much more poetic than the huge black bear blocking my doorway. Also: bananas, eh?
"j'ai des papillons noirs" is the French term for depression - literally "I have black butterflies", and I find that too cool and descriptive not to use.
As far as bananas, I remember reading somewhere they contain tryptophan, which can heighten your mood.
Ah. Thank you. My restaurant French is alright but my understanding of the language's idioms leaves a lot to be desired. Also: Now I understand the bananas!
Aside from this piece being hilarious, you’ve got me more than halfway convinced I should go to the store and get these ingredients, even though I’ve always hated beets. My wife says I might like the golden beets better.
I HATED beets as a boy. I'm now "fine" with red beets (pickled or served with crumbles of feta, dill, and a drizzle of good of olive oil help). Golden beets, however, are more user friendly-- especially when given a little marination. And they don't make you panic at the urinal the next day.
I’m not sure there’s any place where I “like” to panic, but the urinal is definitely a location where I greatly prefer a panic-free experience.
100% agree.
Although— if I met someone who felt otherwise, I would be interested in hearing them out on the subject.
It's raining in France too! Thank you for the sunshine <3
When I am finally given my earldom, I wish to be known as Ray of Sunshine.
How NICE to see your face, amico! Sorry the world is awash in gray at the moment (FWIW it's raining in Virginia, too). Cheer up, February will be over in a couple of months ;-) Baci xx
"February will be over in a couple of months" is quite an apt statement in terms of how I feel about it. And the damed thing is 29 days long this year!
Clearly, Eliot was wrong about the cruelest month--I've always felt so. Keep putting f***ing sunshine on a plate. It will be over soon! xo
Yes, ma'am!
I spatchcock a pheasant or some poultry once a year take a look at pictures just so I can say the word on social media!!
You ROCK!
Thank you very much! I like to say the word as often as possible.
Well it looks like someday soon i just might have something in common with angels! It's a stretch, but I'll take what I can get. Thank you for the antidepressant recipe. Currently I use ice cream. Let's take a walk. Feb 17th? I am available after 10:30. Please let me know. Your devoted cousin, AM
I am saying "Yes" to the walk on the 17th when we can discuss your angelic future, if you like.
This is lovely... and in perfect sync with the Lunar New Year celebrations when we are all drowning in oranges, clementines and mandarins. Wishing you a happy and prosperous Dragon year with just a soupçon of ‘gris’ for the mill...
I wonder if it was my subconscious that lead me to the Lunar New Year citrus? I'd been thinking about it a lot last week but then got so involved in this post I thought I'd forgotten all about it. Also "'gris' for the mill" caused me to groan (with delight). Thank you.
🎶grey on grey
heartache on heartache🎶
I have this weird condition that absolutely requires me to sing words that I hear that are lyrics. For instance every time my fella says he’s going to put another log on the fire I immediately sing “cook me up some bacon and some beans”
But to get back to the post at hand - yes paint a wall some warm yummy colour. I’m not your therapist but I am a therapist and it is something I very much would encourage.
That salad looks indeed like sunshine on a plate and I am really going to make it.
Also, just news that might cheer you or at least distract you - the last two weeks before Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is called ‘the dons’ and is usually a time to lay low, cozy up and not attempt much. I describe it as pms of the earth. But today is losar so things should pick up.
And my you’re a handsome lad!
"PMS of the earth" is a phrase I can get behind. And I know what you mean about the singing. And thank you, of course, for the complimentary remarks!
Omg, I’ll never look at rain clouds in the same way again. “choir of incontinent angels” 😂
So pleased you liked that, madame!
Gray is actually a nice color, very forgiving. It is what you do with it. Be bold with your accoutrements. You cook? You are an artist, liven it up!
Oh, I love gray. I just need to learn not to overdo it when I'm in a depression. My porpoise gray walls look lovely in the soft light of the evening.
Gray is one of my favorite colors (loads of gray shirts). I was thinking, it is your canvas - if you need some brightening, some bold photos of fantastic food for your walls. Bright colors, wonderful shapes. Nature stuff too, or classic movie posters…but since you you have the food thing going…
I've got red silk throw pillows, a solid red rug, and some oil paintings to set things off a bit. I LOVE my grey walls but, like I wrote, wearing all gray, looking out at gray weather while being surrounded by four gray walls when in the middle of a depression is not something I should make a habit of.
I totally get that. And you recognized it. And I think you found a great way to work with it and shared with us a totally workable solution (even for me with all of my food allergies!) that is visually stunning, tantalizing to the tastebuds, and great for the gut-brain connection. Thank you.