I know it sounds a bit weird, a salad in winter? Having made a big pot of ragù Bolognese yesterday, tonight’s dinner is already sorted and wintery enough! Almost as much as the weather forecast schedule to hit us in the next 24 to 48 hours; storm force winds, snow? Hard to imagine this lunchtime, the pale sun is beaming in the sleeping veg garden, where once again I promised myself to have beetroots and herbs, carrots and leaves… One can dream… Or ought to get his act together.
The dog and one of the cats reluctantly tagged along for a short walk through the woods, across the field and back in the garden. I asked my four legged companions if they were ready to go home for lunch; the dog is standing impatiently by the door of the house as if saying “wow, that was fun, we should do that again sometimes? Now open the door will ya?” They always seem to know when the weather is about to change; but saying that, I do leave the radio on for them in the afternoon.
So where was I? Yes, lunch, of course and a controversial craving for salad. Fridge door opens, beetroot, carrot, we’ve got a theme going here… What’s this? Red cabbage I bought two weeks ago? Well at least the intention was good. Little head of broccoli for contrast? Why not. I bought a piece of Ardsallagh goat’s cheese from Co. Cork last Friday, which should work pretty well; a few garlic croutons in the pan and a scattering of walnuts… Almost there. To dress the whole thing, I used three Tbsp of olive oil, one of soya sauce and one of Irish apple vinegar.
Now, let’s look at that weather forecast again… Ah sure, it doesn’t look that bad… Does it?
