This morning at breakfast Ken (my hunky BF) and I were discussing the day. You know, getting the lay of the land for the next 24 hours. All couples do that… Would there be business stuff tonight, or no? Would he be around for dinner or not? The man works and works and works, so I always gotta ask.
He mentioned his day included meeting people for coffee and dessert sometime after 8pm, but dinner at home was on the agenda (goodie, I thought!).
So, (more to myself than anything) I said: “That’s great I have a pound of broccoli florets that need to be eaten while they are still fresh and green.”
To my surprise, he not only heard me but he answered.
He said: “Oh you should make that super lemony, crisp broccoli and garlic salad like we used to get at Fab’s in the valley”.
First off, by “we” he meant he and his old (I mean previous) BF. But I let that pass. After nearly 20 years of coupledom I figure I’d know if he still held a torch for an old flame. No need to be dramatic, though I am perfectly capable of being dramatic if need be.
Of course, the recipe was another story. That I could not be so sure about. I mean, I was working at a disadvantage here, I was not a part of the “we” that “liked” said “broccoli salad”, was I? No I was the “me” that had never had this salad before. Oh, wait... I am getting dramatic. Scale it back, Greg.
So calmly, and with out drama, I asked him to describe it. Which he did in some detail. Hmmmm...
I had to admit it did indeed sound delicious. It also sounded simple. A little too simple (I thought). Because basically its al dente broccoli florets tossed in lemon zest and juice, with plenty of chopped, cooked garlic and a smidge of olive oil; served cold.
Well I decided it was time to bring new memories to that broccoli salad. No longer would he refer to this salad as that salad “we” used to like. No after tonight he'd call it Greg’s Awesome Broccoli Salad with Lemon, Garlic and Shitake Mushrooms.
So, with out giving anything away, I set him about his day as I set my plan in motion.
Although I know it sounds dramatic, maybe even dangerous; I decided to add shitake mushrooms, Parmesan cheese and a big flourish of olive oil to this salad. And I mean, the good stuff… the olive oil I hide in the back of the pantry and not any ole parmesan, nope I used Parmigiano-Regiano. The real deal.
All I can say is, I think it turned out great. As I write this its chilling in the fridge.
But, dinner is not for 3 hours yet, so wish me luck. Because if Ken says this is not the salad “we” used to like; I just might have to rethink the last 20 years of my life…
No, I am just kidding. I wouldn’t let a salad come between us. Would I? Would I?
Greg’s Awesome Broccoli Salad with Lemon, Garlic and Shitake Mushrooms SERVES 4
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 clv garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 fresh lemon, left whole
- 3 oz shitake mushrooms
- 1 lb broccoli florets
- grated parmesan cheese and very good olive oil for garnish
Heat the olive oil in a small sauce pan and add the garlic. Cook over medium heat about 5-7 minutes until the garlic is fragrant, but not yet browned. Set aside.
Zest the lemon into a medium sized serving bowl. Then cut it in half and squeeze all it's juice into the same bowl. Avoid getting the seeds into the mixture. Set aside.
Clean and slice the mushroom vertically through the cap. Set aside
Place the broccoli florets in to a microwave proof bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave, on high, about 3 minutes, until the brocoli is bright gren and tender crisp. Remove the plastic wrap and run cool water into the bowl, empty and repeat several times to stop the cooking quickly.
Using a salad spinner dry the florets as well as possible and add them to the serving bowl with the lemon mixture. Follow this with the garlic pieces and all its oil. Toss the mixture well. Refrigerate until cold and ready to serve.
To serve toss the broccoli salad with the reserved mushroom slices and divide the salad evenly among 4 plates. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Serve.
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
SippitySup
Comments
Broccoli Salad
This salad looks really good and it's very easy to make. I also like the way you mix lemon zest into the lemon juice. It got to be delicious!
Good job taming the drama - I
Good job taming the drama - I believe it is a gift that not everyone possesses!
I also love this salad, and oh my god, is it actually healthy??? It is, but I am sure not purposefully :)
I love the salad idea, i
I love the salad idea, i would add some almond slivers or maybe some seseme seeds perhaps just to add, I don't know.. something more? I know, i know you wanted to razzle-dazzle him and I sure hope you did.. Letting go of those kinds of memores especially when he brings those types of things up, maybe he was testing you in some way, you passed with green and white colors my friend and a lemony fresh scent. Keep on being your dramatic self it brings out the best in your dishes.
Hilarious!
You are so funny!! Love the recipe and the drama..or should i say life as it is =D Thank you for sharing both :)
This is one of your funniest yet
Greg, this is one of your funniest posts yet and your salad looks fantastic, even though broccoli isn't one of my first loves.
We discuss food all day in my house. As soon as breakfast is finished, someone asks "what's for lunch?" The other Hoffers do the same in their house. Once my husband's Dad was visiting and our grandchildren were there and someone was making a video of them and in the background you can hear his Dad say, "So, what's for lunch?" while I'm rinsing the breakfast dishes.
And yes sir, there are wineries in north Georgia and North Carolina. There are nine near us in north Georgia. Come and visit sometime. You need to get out of the city occasionally anyway (smile). Breathe some fresh air. Enjoy glass of Georgia's version of French rose wine.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Sam
Clearly it's the salad Ken
Clearly it's the salad Ken held the torch for, not the old flame. I'm sure a fresh torch blew away the old and burns brighter for your salad now. How could it not? Seems Ken associates ALL favorable food memories with YOU, my dear. :)
Funny stuff
This cracked me up, getting to hear your side of this. Smooth move with letting it slide and sneaking the details out of him. Someone could take this and build a sitcom episode around it. Fun read.
So what did he think?
morning conversations
If that's the end result of discussing broccoli at breakfast, I'm all for it!
oooh
this broccoli salad sounds wonderful! I especially like the shitake mushroom addition, daring yes, but also brilliant!
Not all couples. I barely
Not all couples. I barely speak to my husband in the morning. He takes forever to say anyting. I made the mistake of asking him once if slept good the night before, 20 minutes later, I managed to escape and leave for work.
So what happened? Did he slip
So what happened? Did he slip up, did he love it? Do tell! As for the non-legal you can marry in Iowa of all states!? But why ruin a good thing? ;)
well
He ate every bite while watching Wheel of Fortune. Then he left for his work stuff. Tomorrow when he (hopefully) reads my blog I expect some kissing and loving, and apologies. Not that they are needed. I know we are solid. And lucky. GREG
Ken
Nosy me has wanted to pry forever. Who do you live with? Ken How long have you been together? 20 years. I have no idea what the recipe is in this post, but now I have lots more questions. You know my history. I was a born a girl, but I think, emote, and probably cook (and decorate) like a gay man. I think Ken scored.
Well
I discuss Ken in my 100 things about Greg. You can find some details there. But the obvious retort is your hubby is far luckier than my non-legal partner (of nearly 20 yrs) who is not recognized by "decent" society! GREG
Yum!!
Greg you're hilarious. You're probably the first person that I know of that talks about broccoli during breakfast. But then again, I'm guilty of talking about what to make for dinner during breakfast, too, so...yeah. If Ken doesn't want his share of the salad, I'll take it!!
drama
You know, dramatic might not always be in order in everyday life, but it definitely makes for an interesting read, on my part! This salad does sound simple and delicious! I wish you luck!
This may be the healthiest
This may be the healthiest broccoli salad on the market!
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