the lowfat jewish vegetarian cookbook...

I was recently discussing food with a friend. At some point the conversation turned to the subject of jewish cuisine. We concurred that there is a unique blandness that generally defines jewish foods, and actually somehow works to it's benefit. 

Afterward, i recalled a recipe book i have in my collection, "The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook". It's an item that i've had for years, and only purchased for ridiculosity of the title (remember, i'm an absurdist) and the photos, which have this icky, discolored, grainy quality that make the food look less attractive than it normally would. 

So, I actually opened it and read a few recipes, which was a first, and wow... the unique blandness that we talked so positively about is completely lost here. this book took blandness to a whole new level with recipes such as the pineapple, avocado, and tangerine salad. 

I questioned the reason for even writing down a recipe like this on a scrap of paper, let alone putting it in print. I also asked myself why I wasn't writing cookbooks...i mean...

OK, the next post will contain serious salad (and salad dressing) content.

Shalom.

the cheap and the tasty: part 1

Safeway Select Tuscan Style Basil Herb Dressing.


CHEAPNESS?: Great when on sale...$1.79.

TASTINESS?: Yes. Who the hell knows what "Tuscan" means to Safeway, but they totally nailed the basil part. This is an oily, Americanized, bastardized Italian-esque type of deal. The flavor is good, but in no way subtle. You can taste it all...the oil, the basil, the "herb" (which I think also is an identifier for small pieces of parmesan and kalamata olive). This could easily makes it's way onto the dressing list at a decent restaurant. 

GOOD FOR YOU?: Hell No, but it's better off than the majority of it's Safeway Select brothers and sisters.

VERSATILE?: Yes, and that it one of the saving graces on this stuff. The thing is, this dressing packs enough "Italian" or dare I, "Tuscan"?, type taste, what with the huge blast of basil, that it can easily be incorporated as an ingredient outside of the salad bowl. Mix this stuff together with some real ingredients and throw together some kinda pasta salad-y type of thing, or incorporate into some anti-pastas. It has some much oil, that you can easily use it as an alternative to infused olive oil, and pour directly into the saute process. I replaced the olive oil and the majority of herbs i would normally use, and created a killer "Tuscan" style tomato sauce.