Exploration 1: My Grandma Does It Better, BUT....
Not going to lie, I indulged last night and had fried cabbage with ham. Well, the Hawaiian version of ham. It's not a steak or gourmet salad so it was what you'd expect, but I was pleased with it. In my on going effort to eat the vegetables that are slowly but surely reaching their shelf life, I threw together a cucumber salad as a side item.
Cucumber salad is a side dish that my grandmother has made as a holiday side dish for as long as I can remember. Occasionally she makes it outside the holidays, but I associate it with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
It's supper simple to make. All you need are cucumbers, EVOO (thanks Rachel Ray), Vinegar, Pepper and Salt.
Peel and slice your cucumber, as much or as little as you want. I tend to do one medium cucumber per person. But I enjoy cucumbers, so that might be a tad much. Pour equal parts of vinegar (I used apple cider) and EVOO, toss in some salt and pepper to taste, let it sit for just a few minutes then enjoy!
I am doing something wrong though. My grandma's taste better. I can't tell if I'm using too much vinegar or too little oil. Maybe it's the type of vinegar and oil she's using. Something is different. Last night, after I had dinner, I intended to ask her how she made it just to check my recipe, but it wasn't until long after I hung up and she had retired for the night that I remembered.
If I ever do get around to asking her and there is something modified, I shall let you know.
As I reported in my last entry, my transition away from meat is starting to naturally happen. Besides from the vegetarian dishes I've been experimenting with at night, for lunch I've been having Ramen Noodles (again, I understand technically it isn't vegetarian, but it's not meat. I'm counting it), vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches or salads. Even when it comes to fixing dinner and breakfast (with the exception of the other day when my bacon went bad. That was by accident) I find myself wanting to steer away from meat.
With Thanksgiving marking the start of this holiday season, it's going to be challenging. But I'll figure out how to make it work. In the end, one must remember their etiquette. If a guest and your dietary restrictions are accommodated it's impolite to make that known. I gentleman (or lady) enjoys, even in part, the host's efforts without complaint. It strikes some people by surprise, but when I was 18 I actually put myself through etiquette school.
Yes, there are etiquette schools and yes, I consciously try to execute manners in every day life - more so when in new company or in public. It's another dying art. I will admit though, given my limited social opportunities and even more rare - formal occasions, I am rusty on parts of it.
About three weeks ago I went with my sister to her family reunion. I can't remember the last time I was in a group setting with nobody I was familiar with. The thought of being cornered or without words nerved me; I slightly dreaded going. Along with art of conversation, there's also rules of etiquette. I Googled it on the way to give myself a crash, refresher course. Besides the fact I didn't really need it as no one much approached me, most if it wasn't too hard to relearn in a moments notice.
Back to my original tangent, dietary restrictions....what I said previously only pertains to people such as myself. If you actually have a food intolerance, like allergies or (the few of you who actually exist) gluten intolerance, then of course there are set limitations. But having worked in the food industry it was easy to tell who actually had such conditions from those who were doing it as a diet or popular fad.
I can't tell you how annoying it is that I, as a server, must know everything on the menu that has gluten and how to modify it to suit your requirements when 9 out of 10 times "you" don't even know what gluten is or where it's found.
From my experience, the people who really have such issues know already what they can and cannot have and usually dictate how to modify their dish...or, in some cases, they just bring their own meal with them when meeting a group (I've had it happen and it's really not a big deal.) And those with severe allergies tend to have cards that say, "I'm legit."
Sometime next month, however, I am going to make what's seriously the best lasagna in the entire world. Yes it has meat. I make it like once a year (last year I made it twice.) It makes me sad that, in theory, I won't be able to enjoy it anymore...which is why I'm going to create it (and share the secret) probably next week. Then it will be a matter of finding a comparable vegetarian recipe. I'm sure one exists. Back in Oklahoma, I had neighbor who I used to have bake/cook offs with randomly.
Some nights I'd come home with a goodie bag outside my door and some days I'd leave a goody bag by her door - then the next time we passed each other we'd playfully argue who did it better.
One goodie bag consisted of vegetarian lasagna, made from eggplant. Not going to lie - it was fucking fabulous. So I know such recipes exist - just a matter of finding them and I, God willing, have a whole lifetime.
Yesterday one reader (my adopted-mom) suggested I create a donate button from this blog. I hadn't thought of it before. Not that I think anyone would actually contribute to it, BUT if some of you did - that would be awesome! It would help with the cost of food. But it's stuff I need to buy anyway so it's not like I would starve if nobody contributed. But what possibilities await if some of you did? I could build castle out of vegetables! lol Not that I would.
But again, this isn't a "food blog" it's just where I'm starting out. I do have a few ideas for other explorations such as becoming a beekeeper (it's something I've always wanted to do and I feel like Georgia is my chance), learning to quilt, planting a garden, and a real ambitious goal that my sister and I conjured up one day....traveling to every Native American reservation and bringing more awareness to everyday Native America.
We're not dead or extinct. We're still here in strong numbers with strong traditions and ways of life.
So maybe a donate button isn't such a bad idea. Let me investigate on how to make that happen and if you should see it pop up in the future, that's the back story.
I know this entry had little to do with food. It wasn't mostly just me rambling. That's because it's left-over day so I won't be whipping up anything new tonight. However, I should have something yummy in store for next week.
In closing, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to shoot them my way. I'd love to hear from you.
Alright, enjoy your weekend and we'll pick it back up come Monday.
Cucumber salad is a side dish that my grandmother has made as a holiday side dish for as long as I can remember. Occasionally she makes it outside the holidays, but I associate it with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
It's supper simple to make. All you need are cucumbers, EVOO (thanks Rachel Ray), Vinegar, Pepper and Salt.
 |
| I realized after my cucumber was sliced that I didn't peel it. Doesn't change the flavor, just the presentation. So...do as I say, not as I do. :-) |
I am doing something wrong though. My grandma's taste better. I can't tell if I'm using too much vinegar or too little oil. Maybe it's the type of vinegar and oil she's using. Something is different. Last night, after I had dinner, I intended to ask her how she made it just to check my recipe, but it wasn't until long after I hung up and she had retired for the night that I remembered.
If I ever do get around to asking her and there is something modified, I shall let you know.
As I reported in my last entry, my transition away from meat is starting to naturally happen. Besides from the vegetarian dishes I've been experimenting with at night, for lunch I've been having Ramen Noodles (again, I understand technically it isn't vegetarian, but it's not meat. I'm counting it), vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches or salads. Even when it comes to fixing dinner and breakfast (with the exception of the other day when my bacon went bad. That was by accident) I find myself wanting to steer away from meat.
With Thanksgiving marking the start of this holiday season, it's going to be challenging. But I'll figure out how to make it work. In the end, one must remember their etiquette. If a guest and your dietary restrictions are accommodated it's impolite to make that known. I gentleman (or lady) enjoys, even in part, the host's efforts without complaint. It strikes some people by surprise, but when I was 18 I actually put myself through etiquette school.
Yes, there are etiquette schools and yes, I consciously try to execute manners in every day life - more so when in new company or in public. It's another dying art. I will admit though, given my limited social opportunities and even more rare - formal occasions, I am rusty on parts of it.
About three weeks ago I went with my sister to her family reunion. I can't remember the last time I was in a group setting with nobody I was familiar with. The thought of being cornered or without words nerved me; I slightly dreaded going. Along with art of conversation, there's also rules of etiquette. I Googled it on the way to give myself a crash, refresher course. Besides the fact I didn't really need it as no one much approached me, most if it wasn't too hard to relearn in a moments notice.
Back to my original tangent, dietary restrictions....what I said previously only pertains to people such as myself. If you actually have a food intolerance, like allergies or (the few of you who actually exist) gluten intolerance, then of course there are set limitations. But having worked in the food industry it was easy to tell who actually had such conditions from those who were doing it as a diet or popular fad.
From my experience, the people who really have such issues know already what they can and cannot have and usually dictate how to modify their dish...or, in some cases, they just bring their own meal with them when meeting a group (I've had it happen and it's really not a big deal.) And those with severe allergies tend to have cards that say, "I'm legit."
Sometime next month, however, I am going to make what's seriously the best lasagna in the entire world. Yes it has meat. I make it like once a year (last year I made it twice.) It makes me sad that, in theory, I won't be able to enjoy it anymore...which is why I'm going to create it (and share the secret) probably next week. Then it will be a matter of finding a comparable vegetarian recipe. I'm sure one exists. Back in Oklahoma, I had neighbor who I used to have bake/cook offs with randomly.
Some nights I'd come home with a goodie bag outside my door and some days I'd leave a goody bag by her door - then the next time we passed each other we'd playfully argue who did it better.
One goodie bag consisted of vegetarian lasagna, made from eggplant. Not going to lie - it was fucking fabulous. So I know such recipes exist - just a matter of finding them and I, God willing, have a whole lifetime.
Yesterday one reader (my adopted-mom) suggested I create a donate button from this blog. I hadn't thought of it before. Not that I think anyone would actually contribute to it, BUT if some of you did - that would be awesome! It would help with the cost of food. But it's stuff I need to buy anyway so it's not like I would starve if nobody contributed. But what possibilities await if some of you did? I could build castle out of vegetables! lol Not that I would.
 |
| My dog...she's so personable! I just love her. |
We're not dead or extinct. We're still here in strong numbers with strong traditions and ways of life.
So maybe a donate button isn't such a bad idea. Let me investigate on how to make that happen and if you should see it pop up in the future, that's the back story.
I know this entry had little to do with food. It wasn't mostly just me rambling. That's because it's left-over day so I won't be whipping up anything new tonight. However, I should have something yummy in store for next week.
In closing, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to shoot them my way. I'd love to hear from you.
Alright, enjoy your weekend and we'll pick it back up come Monday.
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