Not Every Style Fits Every Foot

.....nor every flavor fits every tongue.

Over the last two weeks, my palate has changed some. What I didn't think I would attempt to eat, I have....like hot dogs from a jar.




We are in a hotel at the beach....a little removed from the city with transportation available, but not always worth the effort. Sometimes you just don't want to go out to eat...I can't believe that I just said that....therefore, hot dogs from a jar!

Last Sunday, though, we had a Sunday Dinner that was out of this world. I was a little skeptical having been invited to the Sea Port by a local resident and knowing that my palate is a little too "Texan", I didn't know what to expect. Of course, the menu was not in a language that I can read...makes one feel so stupid. It didn't really matter...the menu was taken from my hands just about as quickly as it was given, so I really didn't have a chance to take a look. Our hostess ordered for us in her language, so I became very concerned about how the flavor was going to taste on my "Texas" tongue. But not to worry...when will I ever learn...everything that I tasted was absolutely delicious, except the beef. She graciously told us about everything we were eating...the traditions, the preparation, the origin, the seasoning (especially of the beef...a small lilac wildflower, but she couldn't think of its name)...a lesson in culture and history. Lovely!

The first course that was presented to us was my favorite so I want to add it to my Sunday Dinners ....after all, it was a Sunday Dinner .

Mimosa Salad

4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
3 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled
2 eggs, boiled and peeled
3 medium carrots, boiled, and peeled
salt, to taste

Dressing

6 tablespoons sour cream mixed with 6 tablespoons light mayonnaise - use about 2 tablespoons each time dressing is called for.

Garnish

Lots of gouda cheese or Holland Pendiri (that's what you find in Azerbaijian), shredded


Boil chicken in a large pot of salted water, cooking for about 20 minutes or until chicken is tender. Drain and set aside. When cool enough to handle, chop chicken into small pieces. Peel and boil potato and carrots. Boil and peel eggs. In separate bowls, coarsely grate potatoes, carrots, and eggs. In a small bowl, combine sour cream and light mayonnaise for the dressing.

On a serving dish, evenly layer ingredients on a single leaf of lettuce in the following order

half the chicken
dressing
half the potato
salt
dressing
half the eggs
salt
half the carrots
dressing

Repeat in the same order with the other half of ingredients. Top the salad with lots of shredded Gouda Cheese. Top it off with one black olive on the mountain of cheese.

It is my understanding that there are many variations of this salad and many ways to present it, but this was my first impression and the flavor fit my tongue just right!

There has been one seasoning to the beef that I have not been able to identify until last night. Every hamburger, every slice of beef, every doner (a version of a Philly steak sandwich) has had this same flavor.....not really a fan! My hard-working, steel-toed boot wearing husband has been sick the last few days with an upper respiratory ....coughing his head off kind of stuff. One of his co-workers suggested to me that he needed to take some...broncocum



...unfamiliar medicinal product, but it was worth a stop in a local pharmacy to purchase some. Although my effort at pronunciation was weak, we were able to communicate our needs. After returning to our room, unable to read the instructions on the box, he took 2 small spoonfuls with quite a grimace on his face. He wanted me to taste but all I could do was take a whiff....that would have been enough for me to be miraculously healed...and I was struck by the familiar fragrance of the beef that I had tried so hard to consume. As I looked at the box, trying to type the name into a search engine for translation and dosage amounts, I saw English words....Thyme Liquid Extact! The answer to my seasoning identity question...the small lilac wildflower!

Thyme has many medicinal purposes as my information search taught me, but I'm not sure that this "Texan" tongue will adapt to its flavor...it just doesn't fit! I am glad to say that it was a good fit on the upper respiratory...coughing his head off kind of stuff.

If the shoe fits, wear it well!