West Side Neophyte

This week was the first week in the new place, and I am getting acclimated still. Yesterday I almost totally unpacked the kitchen, and I did totally alphabetize all my cds. I know that people don't have cds anymore. At any rate, I divided them as follows pop/rock/r 'n b/soul. reggae. world. Opera. all other classical. electronic/ambient. I included Canadian Celtic in world. That was weird.
I put all my cookbooks on the top shelf of my Metro shelf. I put wheels on it last week, and got dividers for it today. It makes my heart glad to see it, in my kitchen, laden with so many beautiful, useful things.
Today I discovered something new, at least for me. I have a feeling that it existed before I walked in the door. It is this fabulous market on Barbur in SW Portland called Barbur World Foods. http://www.barburworldfoods.com/ Maybe this west side thing is a good thing, after all!
As soon as I walked in, I knew - it was good like Toronto markets are good.
I love Portland, but let's just say it - diversity is not exactly its strong suit. I was definitely happy to see a non-New Seasons idea of quote unquote ethnic food. Like, nine kinds of middle eastern mint tea. A lot of olive oils from Lebanon. Cheese from places that weren't France. Fresh paneer - fresh paneer. sigh. I was glad to see that.
So, armed with a plump head of red leaf lettuce and a new bottle of sherry vinegar, I was inspired. To eat what I like, not what the kid can tolerate (ie all food that is devoid of colour).
I came home, minced some garlic, made a blue cheese dressing, threw in some peaches, basil and oregano, and Bob's your Uncle - a simple, fantastic meal.


easiest dressing ever

3 parts olive oil
2 parts sherry or balsamic vinegar
as much blue cheese as you feel like

Mash it all together in a bowl. Pour over salad and toss just prior to serving.
I used Shaft's Blue Cheese from California. but even the worst blue cheese is amazing, unless it has been in your 'fridge for too long. Then it sucks, bad.

here's an article about blues..they are right - smoked blue is almost better than sex. They didn't say that, but I do. Almost.

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-bluecheese113005,0,7084846.story