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Pickled Red Onions

Pickled Red Onions

A Savory Opinion

“Because the day had been hot, Lee set a table outside under an oak tree, and as the sun neared the western mountains he padded back and forth from the kitchen, carrying the cold meats, pickles, potato salad, coconut cake, and a peach pie which were supper. In the center of the table he placed a giant stoneware pitcher of milk.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Onions, garlic and shallots are constant companions in the kitchen. My savory cooking would be very dull without assistance from alliums. Pickled Red Onions bring bright, fresh notes without much effort. Making a quick refrigerator pickle yields a huge boost of flavor from combining the savory notes of the onion with the zippy flavors of a pickle. All this amazing flavor without any fat or cooking. And they last for a week in the refrigerator. My favorite way to enjoy the Pickled Red Onions is on sandwiches, burgers, tacos and salads. Anything that needs a spark of flavor will benefit from the Pickled Red Onions. READ MORE . . .

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Potato Leek Soup with Celery

Potato Leek Soup with Celery

Memories

“You walked west on Main Street until it bent. That’s where Castroville Street crossed Main Street. Castroville Street is now called Market Street, God knows why. Streets used to be named for the place they aimed at. Thus, Castroville Street, if you followed it nine miles, brought you to Castroville, Alisal Street to Alisal, and so forth.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

With a path of north to south Main Street ambles across the length of Salinas. We even have North Main and South Main. Main Street is the compass that dissects Salinas into east and west. It is common to use “southside” or “eastside” or “northside” as nouns in speaking. “Where do you live? I live on the northside.” Rather than, “I live on the north side of town.” As if sides were being taken in a sporting match those who are third and forth generation native born to the city frown on these new descriptors. As the city has grown the north-east side has swelled and the city tilts eastward, away from the coast. Bound by the some of the richest agricultural fields in the valley there is no room for growth on the west or south sides of the city. READ MORE . . .