Notes from Jan

Table Talk

May 9, 2016

Probably because I had to fast before blood work, food’s on my mind. Also, several of you asked for the Taco Salad recipe.

Food brings people together. To put some merry into you Monday, I’ll start with a few of my favorite quotes on food.

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” Julia Child

“We must have pie.  Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.” David Mamet

“The thought of two thousand people crunching celery at the same time horrifies me.”George Bernard Shaw

And now for my Auntie Joyce’s recipe for TACO SALAD: serves 4..easy to double or triple recipe depending on # who will join you for this meal.

Meat Mixture: cook 1 pound ground beef.  Drain off fat.  Add 3/4 cup water and one package of Taco seasoning mix.  I choose one without MSG.  Simmer as directed.  I also cook a pot of red chile beans or black beans(canned and already seasoned)so if some don’t want meat, they have that option.  Most take the beans AND the meat.

Salad mixture: 1/2 large head of iceberg lettuce chopped or sliced thin. 1/2 yellow bell pepper chopped fine, 1 tomato chopped, 5-6 green onions finely sliced(don’t use all the onion top), 2 cups finely chopped fresh Cilantro. Toss.

You’ll also need: a bag of taco chips, 1 cup sour cream, 2 fresh limes, 2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese or combo or cheeses, sometimes called Mexican combo but without the seasonings and some guacamole(1-2 cups, since some use it as a side dish!!). Sometimes I make my own, other times I get tired of waiting for the avocados to ripen and buy it pre-made at Trader Joe’s!

When it’s time to serve, best to set it out buffet style, then layer, as follows:

Spread chips on your plate, top with meat/beans or both, then sprinkle some cheese since it will melt on the hot food.  Next the salad mixture.  My aunt pre-tossed the salad with Italian dressing.  I don’t and squeeze fresh lime juice over the salad mix, as well as the guacamole, then  serve with fresh lime wedges, if folks want more.   Next, sprinkle more cheese, top with guacamole and a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy, while I thank God for my Auntie Joyce!

Two final quotes:

“It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate–you know someone’s fingers have been all over it.”  Julia Child

so..”Wash your hands and say your prayers cause Jesus and germs are everywhere.” anonymous for obvious reasons

A Merry Monday to all!

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  • Reply Ryan May 9, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    JAF, purposefully, included shared meals, whether at Tal and Agnes’s place or at a restaurant after a cultural outing. He always argued, with a quote from someone whose name escapes me, that “FOOD was the food for thought.” I think it also helped us to see and hear each other as people, and not just fellow students.

  • Reply Wendy Lane May 9, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    Hooray! I can’t wait to make this! MMmmmh! Thank you!!

    my favorite quote you shared (i liked them all!) is: “The thought of two thousand people crunching celery at the same time horrifies me.” Hahahaha – who thinks of things like that?! But now that it’s in my mind, it IS somewhat horrifying!

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