Caramel Apple...Salad?!

What happens when you want dessert for dinner?
How low will you go?
Do you give in to the urge to slather on the sugar?
Will you go with out?
Do you savor your salty tooth?
Do you suffer through?

This is what I do:
Pink Lady apple, slivered
California Dates cut slender
Dried Figs to do the same
Pecan added to the mix
Red Mezzula baby leaf lettuce with a rich "nutty" taste!
Grape Seed oil
Sea salt
Balsamic Glaze/Crema!...to sweeten the bowl.

Pile on the proportions as you see fit.
Mix up the offerings too..
Fuji apples, olive oil, Arugula, golden raisins,any dried fruit.
However the Dates + Balsamic = Caramel dreams come true

Do think I can stop my Self there?
My appetite for rich warm flavors can hardly waver there...Oh, no!

I grab a small tower of Gingersnap cookies until they are nothing but crumbs.
Then I chased it all down with a giant mug of "Big Black" = Earl Grey + cloves + honey
... Ya I'm a double-bagger, so what!

Do what you like. Do what's good for you...and Smile.

So, Save Your Self and Keep it Simple, Silly

Sometimes, well...most the time, the simplest scenario is so superior to any other supposed option, it seems silly not to take the easy way out.

If that is the best way, then why not?
Are we stubborn just to spite our Self?
Do we doubt the element of surprise?
Do we stand in our own way of simple play, and instead over-act?
Do we sabotage even the simplest tasks?

This is a simple stage, a simple act, a simple task:

1)Take your tomatoes and slice if you like
2)Sprinkle with sea salt and stir in the fold.
3)No lettuce to be found, grab some fresh herbs, as much as you can hold.
4)Drizzle a spoonful of olive oil, to settle it smooth.

See...we're done!
And we had so much fun.

No sabotage to undo.
No pity. No pressure.
No standing around in a stew.
Just some play, and a taste bud surprise; no doubt.

Request a bit more party posed onto your plate?
Confetti some seeds, any you choose, any you like.



This was the loot:
> Roma/cherry tomatoes...any you have will do but, never chill..they're a summer fruit!
> Italian parsley...any basil, cilantro, parsley version can play.
> "Real" sea salt...only the best from Utah, I choose.
> Extra virgin olive oil...you know this drill.
> Raw sesame seeds, just for contrast, or color, or fun..or none.

I ate mine as same as shown, so simple,
... and chased it with a handful or two of salty Fiesta tortilla chips; so good.
Later, I served it up as a taco topping with raves of.."is there any more"?...
You can have yours with grilled bread and maybe some feta cheese, if you please.

So, save your Self from kitchen distress and just keep it simple...Silly! ;P

Pineapple Punch

On the streets of Los Angeles we are lucky enough to have waiting for us along the curb, carts filled with fresh fruit. Shaken and served in a plastic bag and fork. Take your pick and mix them all together: Pineapple, Cucumber, Jicama, Mango and Kiwi. So here comes the punch: a dash of sea salt and cayenne pepper.. Oh-ya!

As my favorite Bulgarian Queen says, "Cool and Crispy"...and it is.
All the senses are attended too:
Blood pumping from the red pepper
Kidneys cleaned by the cucumbers
The entire lot creates a combination of cures: bruising, digestion, anti-inflammatory, vitamins and minerals, breathing, blood flow, all the fourth Chakra-Heart characters.

So when you are in town, cruising along, and you spy a guy on the side of the road with an umbrella that looks like a beach ball...
...pull over for some fast relief and enjoy.

Tossed salad and scrambled eggs...

Breakfast is evolving...into a bento box.
A standing invitation for eggs any time of the day:
We need a little protein to get us through the day, though not the same old style sling.
This time we are doing it my way, and at my house these days... the only acceptable way.
Line that warm little pan with Sesame oil.
Shake some Sea salt, and Sesame seeds.
Throw in a hand full of chopped green Scallion onions.
Pour in a scrambled egg or more. Let it sit.
When it settles, shake on some more sea salt and sesame seeds.
Fry it flat and flip when set.
Top it with a sprinkle of Nori Komi Furikake (seaweed flakes).
Serve it aside that sprout salad, to have the surprise of your morning.
Washed down with a gulp of green tea ( hot for me, iced for him)...and we are golden!

Simple Sprouts

Simple Sprouts:
Blessed by the easy...salad for breakfast...no doubt!
Let's keep this short and salty.
Pea Sprouts...stacked.
Peanut oil....drizzled.
Sesame oil...drizzled.
Sesame seeds...shaken.
Sea Salt...sprinkled.
Stir. Blend. Done.

Summer Surrender Salad

Summer Surrender:
I am a devoted to my local Farmer's market. I claim it as my church going experience. It gives me every thing I need to get me through the week. It nourishes my heart, body, mind and spirit. It teaches me patience and prosperity, both. It allows me to take what I need, and leave the rest. This September has been the most inspirational so far.
I recently made an attempt to share of my sweet success, and was curiously met with resistance.
Invited to an evening spread poolside, by a gathering of men who go out to sea, catch their dinner, and drag it back home to start a fire. My kind of guys! I so proudly offered up my 'fruit salad'...and was snubbed. I let it pass, and pursued again after the four fish menu, the fresh greens with garlic; no takers. Again, I pushed for it, passing it as desert; instead they took to the chocolate. Finally, after many long pauses and guilty glances, I served myself, and dug in deep and shoveled a high pile on my plate. I noticed on lookers, and took another pounce. One by one, each in line waiting to see that the first guy did not die. The look of surprise. Tongues dancing. Seconds were requested straight away, with sheepish smiles, and then thirds dumped directly from the bowl; there was nothing left. A proud moment. A milestone for taste buds all around. Surrender they did, to the sweet flavors of post Summer in September. So, I share...
+White peaches, White nectarines, Yellow peaches, plums, and sometimes Figs too.
+Squeeze the ugliest, sweetest little orange you can find, season with Sea salt and Tumeric.
+Sprinkle with fresh Mint: chocolate, and Basil: lemon...stir and let sit. Enjoy