the arugula files

Walnut Oil Makes Me Do the Truffle Shuffle

Want to know the secret to finding really, really expensive cooking oil for really, really cheap? This walnut oil, for example, usually retails for $12.99 online.  I got it for $5.99.  Yup.  That's almost half off.

Are you paying attention? 

Walnut oil has a rich, earthy flavor, making it a tasty substitute for olive oil in a vinaigrette.  I made a simple salad with romaine lettuce, arugula, raisins, nuts, and garlic croutons. Then I topped it with a walnut vinaigrette, made with a few springs of thyme, 1 tablespoon of walnut oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper.  Simply delicious. 

So where do you get the deal of your foodie life on walnut oil (and other fancy ingredients)? 

Tomatoes Provençal

 

This dish deserves a story.  It deserves a mention of a childhood in France.  Of rolling hills crowded with wild herbs.  Of village grandmothers picking tomatoes off the vine.  Of local pressed olive oil.  Only I didn't grow up in France.  Heck, I've never even been to France.  So, no story.  Just a lovely recipe from Everyday Food.  This dish turns tomatoes into dinner, and, if there were ever a time to do that, it's now, when tomatoes are cheap, tasty, and plentiful.

Peach and Blackberry Picking at Great Country Farm

Just a 90-minute drive from DC, a little bit past the Target and Leesburg Outlets, you will find Great Country Farms, a 200-acre farm that sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bluemont, VA.  Marcus and I made the drive so we could pick peaches and blackberries. 

Crisp Bread and Butter Pickles

 

It's that time in the season to make pickles.  From the archives: crisp bread and butter pickles.

Remember a gazillion years ago when I promised a canning demonstration? I was all "Of course, I can!"  Well here it is...long overdue.  It took awhile to get motivated, plus, I needed to wait a few weeks so that I could actually try the pickles before passing the recipe on. This project was directed by my sister, Noel, and documented by my boyfriend, Marcus.  This is really their creation.  Mostly, I stood around and periodically asked questions about botulism.

Food Blogger Happy Hour: September 2

 

I often find myself talking about food topics, like walnut oil or the new chef at restaurant so and so.  As I’m talking, I see people’s eyes start to glaze over.  Seriously?  You don’t think walnut oil is interesting?  I do.  That’s why I’m looking forward to the upcoming DC Food Blogger Happy Hour.  It was Gradually Greener’s idea, and I was all… “yes please.”  Modern Domestic will be there too.  When I tweeted the happy hour idea Capital Spice was, “we’re in,” and Beets and Bonbons was “just let me know when and where.” 

The when is September 2nd (6pm) and the where is Poste Brasserie.  All we need is YOU.  Yes, we’re calling all food bloggers (and friends of food).  Please come.  The more the merrier, so post this info on your blog and get the word out.  Also, let me know if you are coming so we have an approximate head count.

photo: flickr user rogersmj

Melon, Arugula, Prosciutto Israeli Couscous Salad

Summer is almost over.  Sigh.  Here's a light summer salad that's salty, sweet, and perfect for hot days.  It's also mayonnaise-free and features one of my favorite pasta products: Israeli couscous.  If you can't find Israeli couscous at your local supermarket, you can buy it on the internets. 

Summer Drinks around DC

Damn, it's hot out.  Drinks are in order, and I've had a few tasty ones this summer.  Here're a few places to head for after work:

It's not exactly outdoor patio weather, but, if you dare to venture to a restaurant with outside seating, Rockland's BBQ has refreshing, fruity mason jar cocktails.  At a recent blogger party, I tried the icy peach tea (vodka, peach schnapps, sprite, and cranberry juice) with some tasty BBQ pork egg rolls. 

If you need air conditioning, I had the best drink of my life (not hyperbole) at Firefly.  It was a martini caprese made from basil infused vodka and tomato water.  It tasted like a giant tomato salad THAT YOU DRINK.  Way better and lighter than a bloody mary.  Shimmy up to the bar, order this cocktail and a plate of mac and cheese.  You can thank me later. 

Looking for a bargain? Try my favorite DC happy hour: Taberna del Alabardero, a spanish tapas restaurant downtown.  You can sit inside at the bar or on the outside patio; either way, Taberna offers 50 percent off tapas (try the artichokes, chorizo, and garlic shrimp) and sangria pitchers.  I like the blond version best.

It's a long haul up the hill, but if you walk up 18th street you'll soon come to my favorite bar: the Black Squirrel.  Try the white ale and order a plate of organic fried chicken.

Had a great summer drink?  Tell us where in the comments.

Plum Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar & Cardamom Streusel

 

As a kid I lived on Drakes Coffee Cakes. I ate them for breakfast, snacks, and, if I could get away with it, lunch.  It's been a while since I've had coffee cake, so when I came across this recipe while searching for a dinner dish, and saw that I had three plums sitting on my counter -- the exact number the recipe called for -- it seemed serendipitous. It's a great recipe: the cake came out perfectly moist and the cardamom and plums added an interesting twist.