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Friday, September 5, 2008

Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Onion Balsamic Dressing



During clinicals on Wednesday, I found myself hiding clandestinely in the bathroom with my cell phone (an apparatus strictly forbidden on the hospital floors), calling Zach to see if any lab test results had returned. 10 minutes later, I was scurrying back to my duties, frantically trying to compose the joy and relief written across my face and threatening to spill over. Our worst fears have been alleviated, and I am still in shock over the incredible gift that has been handed to us. With my awareness of the life's fragility newly heightened, my thoughts now linger in sympathy and concern with every family, across the world, who are struggling with lab tests and doctors offices and prognoses. May health, strength, and comfort be returned to us all.

In the kitchen, our cooking has still not returned to "normal," and I seriously wonder if it ever will, at least for a long time. Our ingredients remain simpler, our taste buds heightened to subtleties, focusing on nourishing and soothing. The discovery that the simplest of ingredients can create the most elegant of meals has been one of the many lessons of this journey...



Rosemary Oven Fries and Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Onion Balsamic Dressing

For the oven fries:

5 large baking potatoes, cut into 1/2" sticks
Cooking spray
1 tsp salt
1 tsp rosemary
~ Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
~ Coat the potatoes thoroughly with cooking spray, then toss them with the salt and rosemary.
~ Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes - until golden brown, tossing and turning the potatoes once after 20 minutes. Serve warm, with ketchup, of course!

For the salad:

1 onion, chopped
4 T balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cup beef broth or vegetable broth
2 T spicy brown mustard
1 tsp rosemary
1 T light vegan margarine
Baby spinach
raw almonds
raisins
~ Coat a skillet with cooking spray, and saute the onion until wilted and golden.
~ Add the balsamic vinegar, and bring to a boil while scraping the pan to loosen any browned onions.
~ Add the broth, mustard, and rosemary, and boil until reduced to 1 cup or so.
~ Whisk in the vegan margarine.
~ In individual salad bowls, assemble the baby spinach, almonds, and raisins to your liking. Just before serving, spoon the warm dressing on top...




7 comments:

  1. So glad that the lab test results were favorable; and WOW that salad looks good!

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  2. I'm so glad to hear that relief and joy were part of last night's menu. Your food looks wonderful. I love potatoes with rosemary and the salad dressing sounds excellent too. Most of all, your writing is just lovely. It has such a soothing and grateful quality. I think it would make anyone feel good.

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  3. Good health is, indeed, one of the precious and ever so fragile possessions bestowed upon us. And with that, we don't need another excuse for food that nourishes our bodies and highlights our experiences. It was a short foreword, and now - right to the matter. :) I'm happy your lab results appeared to be good; I'm happy you keep inspiring me with your cooking and writing.

    Lately I've been craving for potatoes (one of my personal signs that fall is gradually encroaching into its being), so your recipe has been bookmarked.

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  4. VeggieGirl, thank you so very much!

    Prudy, I am honored and humbled by your words... Thank you for the gift of kindness and encouragement you have bestowed upon me.

    Anya, your comments and posts alike are always filled with wisdom... Thank you for your incredible insight.

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  5. Oh, those potatoes sound tasty, I can't wait until we get some cooler weather so I can turn on the oven! And that salad? Sounds delicious. I'd probably throw in some figs due to my super-proliferative trees.

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  6. What a delicious looking meal. Those oven potatoes look very tasty. Happy that your lab results were good.

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  7. Vicki, thank you so much for visiting! I am SO in awe of your fig trees... Having a fig tree in my backyard is one of my many ideas of heaven!

    CookieMouse, thank you so much... My thoughts are with you, and I'm so grateful for your presence here on the web.

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