Recipe rundown: Asparagus and Pecorino Salad

So I tried the salad. The vinaigrette was bright and fresh, and I really liked the shaved asparagus. I could not find lemon marmalade so I substituted lemon zest. I assume that it would be a tiny bit sweeter with the marmalade.

Asparagus and Pecorino Salad

The recipe makes a lot of extra vinaigrette which I may use for the following recipe. Come on, summer corn!

FREGULA WITH FRESH SUMMER CORN
Via Mario Batali

Kosher salt
½ pound (about 1 1/3 cups) fregula
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh corn kernels
Maldon or other flaky sea salt
¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
2 tablespoons Lemon Vinaigrette
Coarsely ground black pepper
Serves 6

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the fregula and cook until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over high heat until smoking hot. Add the olive oil and heat until very hot, then add the corn and cook, stirring once or twice, until the kernels are charred in spots, about 2 minutes (Watch out for popping corn kernels). Season with Maldon salt and cook, stirring, until just tender, another minute or so. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool.

Add the fregula and scallions to the corn, then add the vinaigrette and toss well. Season generously with Maldon salt and with pepper. Serve, or let stand at room temperature for 1 hour to bring out the flavors. (The fregula can be refrigerated overnight; let come to room temperature before serving.)

Sidelined

Sorry for the absence; L. has been a little under the weather with an ear infection and teething for the past few days (which meant lots of hugs and downtime).

Just gums.

Our dear friend Jen came for a visit at the end of the week. It was wonderful to see her. Jen and I always end up having the big picture, what-should-you-do-with-your-life types of discussions, which is always refreshing. This visit was no exception. In the past, these discussions have primarily centered on our careers. And while the next steps in our respective careers is still an important component of the discussion, this time the conversation turned to the importance of making time for the little (or not so little) things that you'd like to do in life.

Inspired by Joslyn of Simple Lovely we decided that we would each make a list of 35 simple, meaningful things that we'd like to do before we turn 36. We even gave ourselves a deadline for creating the list- August 1st. Roast a chicken will definitely be on my list. Thomas Keller's recipe sounds simple and delicious.

But...Jen also shared her plans for her fortieth birthday (which involves a villa in France). So I am also planning on drafting a list of 5 larger things that I'd like to do before I am 40. Things that require a bit more planning than roasting a chicken. Things like a celebration of my fortieth birthday in a distant locale. Where should I celebrate?

Weekend Recap

Leslie Science Center

Father's Day snooze.

I hope that you had a relaxing weekend. We went to a Bacon Street Party on Saturday. Yum. The best thing that I tried was the Maple Bacon Gelato- sweet, salty, and peppery = perfection. O. was excited to try the Mexican Coca-Cola (I know, not bacon related) made with cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. It was less syrupy and seemed more effervescent than American Coca-Cola. Apparently in 2006 Coca-Cola was trying to stop the importation of Mexican Coke because they were worried about competition in the US market. Sad.


On Sunday we had brunch at Zingerman's Roadhouse where L. tried his first donut. It was love at first bite. We also paid a visit to some turtles at the Leslie Science Center. Perfect Sunday.

Recipe rundown: Warm Lentil Salad

The finished product.

I love to cook, but spending a lot of time making dinner (or baking) has been a challenge in the past nine months. My goal is to try one new recipe each week.

Tonight we made a Ladurée inspired warm lentil salad with fried eggs. It was delicious. O. and I decided that the only thing missing was a glass of Chardonnay. Next time.

Oh, and L. liked the lentils (before he started playing with them).

Now if I could only have these macarons for dessert. Sigh.





FRIED EGGS OVER WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH LARDONS
via Gourmet


3/4 cup French green lentils (du Puy)
6 oz thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips
2 leeks (white and pale green parts only), finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, or to taste
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 large eggs
1 cup baby spinach

Cover lentils with cold water by 2 inches in a saucepan, then simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 20 minutes.

While lentils are simmering, cook bacon in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, then transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, leaving fat in skillet. Add leeks, celery, and carrot to skillet and cook, stirring, until just tender. Add vinegar and boil until most of liquid is evaporated. Remove skillet from heat and stir in tarragon, half of bacon, and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm, covered, reserving skillet.

Drain lentils well in a large sieve. Stir into vegetable mixture and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm, covered.

Wipe skillet with paper towels, then add oil and heat over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Fry eggs in batches until whites are just set but yolks are still runny and season with salt and pepper.

Divide lentil salad among 4 plates. Top with spinach, eggs, and remaining bacon.

On the list

This salad sounds delicious. Maybe I can find some fresh asparagus at the farmer's market this weekend.

I love these yellow stone earrings from J. Crew. So pretty.

Spotted ages ago on Simple Lovely.

These wedges have been on my list for awhile.

When we were at the Art Institute of Chicago a couple of weeks ago, we made a wrong turn and ended up in a gallery which featured artwork from picture books. This is where we were introduced to the fabulous book, Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty. We definitely need to pick it up for L.

He is starting to find books amusing. The bath and exercise scenes in The Going to Bed Book bring on the giggles. Exercising before bed (and post-bath) is pretty hilarious.

Welcome

Aren't these prints from Eva Juliet fabulous? I think that they sum up the motivation behind this new little blog of mine. Trying to balance work and home life with my PhD candidate husband and 9 month old little guy has been challenging. Especially when you are a planner (or sometimes control freak) like myself. Welcome to my little outlet; I'm glad that you're here.