The Little Things

Snow in Arizona 1998, oil on canvas, 30 x 22 inches (Hilary and Mimi)

On a cold Sunday afternoon, I spent a couple hours preparing beets, carrots, peppers, seeds, nuts and quinoa.  We had a busy week ahead with meetings and social events that  would limit my cooking time so I prepared several small dishes to have on hand.  With jars and pots of side dishes in my fresh pantry I will have delicious tidbits to add to our meals.

I have made these marinated carrots for many years since discovering the recipe in a British cooking calendar. They are the perfect accompaniment to a sandwich.

Cut 5-8 peeled carrots into chunky matchsticks about 1/4 inch across and any length. 

Place them in a large skillet and barely cover with water.  Bring to a boil and cook for just a minute or two, long enough to slightly soften them.  Drain and toss with a mustardy vinaigrette:  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper. Store in a jar in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving. Top with minced green onions or chives and some chopped dill. (I used my dried dill.)

Next I steamed yellow beets until tender, peeled them, cut into batons and tossed with a bit of olive oil. I stored these in the fridge, ready to add to a salad, or dress with lemon and anise seed for a lovely condiment alongside a sandwich.

We had some of them to accompany our Sunday soup, tossed with arugula, pistachios and crumbled goat cheese.

On to the red peppers.  I roasted them over the flame on my gas range, peeled them, and cut into strips.  Stored in a jar with some crushed garlic and olive oil, they are ready to add to a grilled cheese sandwich or a quinoa salad.

 

Like these grilled cheese sandwiches made with a smear of chipotle puree, roasted red peppers, cilantro leaves, Mexican quesadilla cheese and Catamount cheese.

I like to have jars of toasted nuts and seeds on hand to add to a salad or to snack on before dinner.

Toast a cup of sunflower or pumpkin seeds in the toaster oven at 300° or in a dry heavy skillet until fragrant, don’t let them burn. Have ready a bowl with a teaspoon of shoyu or tamari.  Toss the hot seeds in the sauce.  They will sizzle a bit.  Let cool.  If there is excess shoyu, drain on a paper towel.  These have just the right amount of saltiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With my pre-cooked quinoa I made a  salad.  I combined 2 cups of the cooked grain with this vinaigrette: the juice of a lime, 1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin, a big pinch of hot red pepper flakes, salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil.  I added 2 tablespoons of dried currants, chopped roasted red pepper and a handful of picked cilantro. Other vegetables you might include are cucumber, fennel, green onions, cherry tomatoes and avocado.

Finally, I had a yen for gingersnaps.  They seemed a good match with apples or tangerines for a touch of sweetness after studio lunches this week.  The recipe comes from Marion Cunningham, but I have altered it some. I make this dough in my Cuisinart but it is easy to make by hand.

Cream together 6 tablespoons butter, 3/8 cup vegetable oil and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Add 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses and 1 large egg.  Then stir in 2 cups unbleached flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sometimes I add finely chopped fresh ginger or some crystallized ginger cut into tiny pieces.

Shape into walnut-sized balls, roll in turbinado sugar and place 2 inches apart on a parchment covered or greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.

My Sunday work done, I couldn’t resist a taste.