Things I love about California, cont...

One of the things I really like about Cali is high end gourmet delis. They are really an aesthetic experience. The smell of good coffee brewing, glass cases full of triple chocolate brownies and Italian cream cakes, in addition, to colorful salads and delicious sandwiches on artisan breads. What is not to like? And if they have a beautiful patio, heaven! While in college I frequented this particular deli, Pierre Lafond. One of the most novel things they have is air fries, fries cooked with hot air instead of oil. They are really great and healthy. For the life of me I cannot figure out why these have not caught on elsewhere. Can you imagine how great it would be to replace the traditional fries with these at high schools and colleges? Anyway, back to my deli reminiscence. Actually, it is secretly a dream of mine to own and run a place like this. Maybe not quite this high end(it would not be unusual to spot a movie star at Pierre Lafond's in Montecito). I think I would really enjoy running a deli. Maybe someday.

Church-y Sloppy Joes and Three Bean Salad

Today we had a church event and so I cooked Sloppy Joes in the crockpot from an internet recipe. Since moving to the Midwest I have rediscovered this meal. I think the last time I had a Sloppy Joe(before moving to the Midwest) was when I was 8 years old. In fact, I have to admit the first time I had it here I privately chuckled, thinking, "Who eats Sloppy Joes in this day and age?" But this homey classic is alive and well in middle America. It is the meal of choice for church gatherings and events like moving to a new house. It also appears at the auctions we like to frequent. Another variation of this is the Maid Rite sandwich. This type of sandwich can also be called a "loose meat" sandwich, which also warranted a little chuckle from me. I laugh but I am more than willing to eat and make these because they just are good and, well, homey. To accompany the Sloppy Joes I made Three Bean Salad from a Joy of Cooking recipe. I will post the recipes for both of these but for right now I am tired from cooking and entertaining so another day...

Pineapple, Peach and Cream Cheese Salad

"The fruit salad gives the hostess a wonderful chance to be decorative. That is why it makes such a fine choice for party refreshment." So says Marye Dahnke in her Salad Book circa 1954. This is just a ring of pineapple topped with a peach half and filled with whipped cream cheese. I had it for breakfast this morning and it was quite good. I am always looking for ways to increase our fruit and veggie consumption. And because it is April in Iowa, there is not a whole lot of good fresh fruit. This makes a nice winter(or spring) fruit salad. I really enjoyed the salty cream cheese with the sweet fruit. I did drizzle a tiny bit of honey over the top but I don't think it needed it. The author of the cookbook suggests a vinaigrette as the topping for this but it did not appeal to me. My mom says they used to top fruit with mayonnaise and that it was good but I don't know how I feel about that. I guess someday I will have to give it a try.

Recently I have been trying to sit down and have a substantial breakfast rather than just picking at food all morning. I have liked it and this salad made a nice addition to my eggs and toast and coffee.

A Pea Salad and a Do-Si-Do.

Here are some of the veggies for the all American Pea Salad and the finished product. I have been starting a collection of old cookbooks. I frequent the thrift store and pick up ones that seem interesting. I love to see how people used to eat and cook. One of the ones I picked up recently was Marye Dahnke's Salad Book. It was published in 1954.

Our church did a folk dance and Potluck tonight. I decided this would be a perfect dish for such an occasion. According to the alphabet designation half of us were supposed to bring salads and half dessert but as usual almost everyone just brought dessert. Midwest priorities, I tell ya!