Thursday, February 28, 2013

Coleslaw Southern Style

I tend to make recipes that are the norm wherever I might be. For instance in France I try French recipes  & so on. Now that I am living in South Carolina I am having fun reconnecting to all the wonderful foods that the South has to offer.
This could also be that one prepares  whatever ingredients are at hand.
Did you know that Charleston was once the biggest exporter of cabbages in the US?


 Recently I have been enjoying rediscovering the southern coleslaw of my childhood, which is certainly different from its soggy & mayonnaise-y northern cousin.


With all the beautiful winter cabbages that are locally grown here, it is a breeze to make & is so tasty & versatile too.


Besides the cabbage, I add grated carrots, red pepper, celery, &  chopped kale or any other dark leafy green for a punch of color.



Have you ever heard of a watermelon radish? I hadn't. It looks a bit like a turnip on the outside but when you cut into it, it really does look like a watermelon on the inside. It has a mild radish flavor & makes anything you add it to look pretty. Yet another locally grown ingredient that I like to add to my coleslaw.



The dressing is of course key & it seems everyone in the South has his or her own special recipe. Most are vinegar based with no mayonnaise at all. I just sort of made mine up as I went along.
Like the salad dressings I usually make, I macerated a large clove of garlic with salt in the bottom of a large bowl & mashed it into a paste.
I used the juice of a whole lemon
olive oil ( 3 to 1 measurement )
a  dollop of Dijon mustard
cracked black pepper
& a large dollop of mayonnaise to make it just a little creamy
(I used the vegan variety but any favorite kind will do)
mix all the ingredients & then add your chopped & grated vegetables & toss


My grandmother always added celery seed to her coleslaw dressing as her secret ingredient . Unfortunately, I did not have any on hand but I will definitely be adding them next time.


It is good to eat as it is,  as a salad, or as a toping for hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, fish tacos or, as I like to have it, as the filling for a vegetarian wrap.


Friday, February 22, 2013

Happy Weekend!

Wow, the week has just flown by. Hope you have all had a great one!
I have taken a lot of photos this week, but with no rhyme 0r reason.


Although the weather has been a bit chilly of late, flowers are starting to pop out everywhere. Spring is on it's way!


A lot of old houses are getting a fresh coat of paint.


We discovered a cool little restaurant that is within walking distance of our house. 
Xiao Bao Biscuit is in an old, rustically renovated filling station & has the most delicious & exotic menu.



Meeting Street at sunset.


Grey can be such a beautiful color.



We took advantage of some of the great food trucks in Charleston this week. Some of our favorites are Roti Rolls, Hello My Name Is BBQ ( I like the black bean burger), & Diggity Doughnuts for the best vegan doughnuts you'll ever eat.


Wishing you all a very Happy Weekend!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Churches


Charleston, also known as "The Holy City" has a skyline of steeples & boasts over 400 churches.
With so many to choose from I have taken photos of just a small assortment of the great variety of these houses of worship.












The last one was once a tiny church that has now become a home. Is it any wonder that Charleston is called the Holy City?




Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

Some images of "LOVE" from last summer's visit to France.


The building in St. Antonin that boasts the above sculpture from the middle ages is affectionately known as 

Maison de l'amour








Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Out My Window

Charleston is one of the places birds fly to when they fly south. Every morning is filled with the most beautiful concert of birdsong.

I spied this handsome creature out my window recently. I am sure he is glad to be here in this temperate  climate right about now.


Just as I am. 

Although I do sort of miss the sense of adventure of a big snow storm like the one that hit the northeast this weekend & of course the beauty of the freshly fallen snow
 I am ,like the birds,
 quite glad to be where I am.

I hope all my friends in the Boston area are staying safe & warm.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Thinking of Summer



“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”  – 

Albert Camus 
















Thinking of France & wishing you all a very happy week.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Happy February


Here are a few photos taken on a weekend outing a few weeks ago to John's Island.













Wishing you all a very happy weekend on this first weekend of February!