RadioGastronomy The table as the gravitational center of our lives.
Salads
Soba Noodle Salad with Pan-Fried Tofu, Edamame, & Peanuts
“They’re only noodles Michael.” -Kiefer Sutherland as David, the darkly smug leader of Santa Carla’s vampire gang, in Joel Schumacher’s classic 1987 movie The Lost Boys
Tuna, White Bean, & Tomato Salad with Meyer Lemon & Fresh Herbs
“I have to quit these peas. Peas are no good for me, I better try corn or beans.” -Stephen King, American master of horror, fantasy, and suspenseful writing, in his best-selling 1994 novel Insomnia
Raw Kale Salad with Miso Sesame Dressing, Golden Raisins, & Crispy Okinawa Sweet Potato
“I don’t care what they say, kale is a good garnish, I don’t think it’s ready to anchor a meal.” -Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Prichett on the popular ABC comedy Modern Family
Colorful Quinoa Grain Salad with Latin Flavors
“One grain of sand. That’s all that remains of my vast empire.” -Doe-eyed Childlike Empress, the fading, heart-broken, actually-very-old ruler of Fantasia in Wolfgang Petersen’s 1984 film adaptation of The Neverending Story
Lettuce Wraps with Wild Shrimp, Mango, & Vanilla Bean Salad
“Once, in college, I pooped my pants a little bit at a Country Steaks all-you-can-eat buffet and I didn’t leave until I finished my second plate of shrimp.” -Tina Fey as the lovable Liz Lemon, lover of junk food and Star Wars, on NBC’s consistently funny hit comedy 30 Rock
Salata Faki (Greek-Style Cold Lentil Salad)
“Well, it’s mostly lentils, but there’s some crockery mixed in.” -Nigel Planer as politically depressed neu-hippie Neil Pye in the early-80′s BBC Britcom comedy of manners The Young Ones
Autumn Harvest Salad with Bitter Lettuces and Broken Pomegranate Vinaigrette
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” -Albert Camus, 20th century French Algerian writer, revolutionary, absurdist, and Nobel Prize for Literature recipient
Thai-Inspired Seafood Salad with Snow Pea Shoots, Napa Cabbage, & Fresh Herbs
“Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant??? I’m halfway through my fish burger and I realize ‘Oh my God…..I could be eating a slow learner.” -Lyndon B. Johnson, Democratic poverty and civil rights advocate, as well as 36th president of the United States, stepping into office upon the assassination of JFK
Classic Insalata Caprese
“Three tomatoes are walking down the street: a Poppa tomato, a Momma tomato, & a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, & smooshes him…..& says, “Catch up!” -The radiant Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s classic 1994 film Pulp Fiction
Mt. Olympus Sandwiches
“I believe that all anyone really wants in life is to sit in peace & eat a sandwich.” -American writer & actress Tina Fey as alter-ego Liz Lemon on NBC’s 30 Rock
Pickled Red Cabbage & Asian Pear Salad with Poppyseeds
“The time has come,’ the walrus said, ‘to talk of many things: of shoes and ships and sealing wax – of cabbages and kings.” -Lewis Carroll, British author, clergyman, mathematician, and photographer, from his classic book Through the Looking Glass
Wheatberry Salad with Orange Citronette, Cranberries, Feta, Wild Arugula, and Toasted Pignoli
“To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomatist – the problem is entirely the same in both cases. To know exactly how much oil one must put with one’s vinegar.” -Oscar Wilde, Irish rabble-rouser, author, playwright, and poet
Holiday Holly Salad
“I ate them like salad, books were my sandwich for lunch, my tiffin and dinner and midnight munch.” -Ray Bradbury, American sci-fi master and one of my most favoritest authors of all time
Chipotle Jicama Slaw with Asian Pear, Green Cabbage, and Radish
“I wonder what you’d have on the side with a plate of Deep-Fried Anxiety. Pickles? Coleslaw? Potato-Strychnine mash?” -Robin McKinley, American writer and repeat Newbery offender (man I loved Newbery books as a kid…..The Westing Game! Ramona Quimby, Age 8! Sigh.)
Chunky Tabbouleh Salad with Roasted Chicken
“Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” -Albert Einstein, German-born theoretical physicist