Tonight's dinner dropped into my lap, literally.
Earlier this morning,
a friend dropped by with "extra" Romaine lettuce.
By extra, I mean 6 heads.
Later this afternoon,
another friend dropped by
with a chicken he'd just smoked.
We have good friends.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEIsd4Xy9u6v75t_xB3Cs6qsSTDMTxpbroLt0-wb06cq53HaiZXnChtLLgF5m2vrIobOGIuQETHyZ6cWm7Xjz5Z9BGZ9H06oiFyhsMOotUItMNb0EWE0m3qR0DOGi_a5jF9G7QL1e7U/s400/DSCN0605.JPG)
Lovely Romaine lettuce.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcp1XNoK3c61_dY_Fibs2IWGHKrGHo8xP9YnmN_eyPRq5xR-VywNS24hnzZuiomLrAj12SjT-6tcFvPUwbnm0oxOaSLkyvvWcDTFgEo561yuWeH0zJaF0yl99hnMLBSGAzJPW5LycI60/s400/DSCN0499.JPG)
Caesar salad with my homemade croutons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGS91_aMDS8v33xYaxCGh8argvH5ckeWCqTtyW7CfkzpUMaQun91ma-IvZujOcMAYVaWzoP4LPdECXuD1rz1C1M7xQXFGJhbxabChn8_Z_45Xj5Z254P0I7c6nsP_auX61gXUeFY_tbr8/s400/DSCN0509.JPG)
Caesar salad with smoked chicken slices.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopBKfBB2YqtDbtICdYVXU-_mNLQaVXKIEKRTjlJFpSAe7WWRF2nEUNyOuim9Xy97K95lZr8Gf0-RraQQf05oTSBXtS2lVUQ1sZ8u0VkAPe5MxamhxrZb7k7-N_A6Q6OX1xXdTw0qDrd4/s400/DSCN0386.JPG)
Here's Mr. Hawthorne's mise en place
for his Caesar salad dressing.
Actually he calls it his menage a trois.
Close enough.
about 1 cup ELBOO
(Extra Light Bertolli Olive Oil)
4 garlic cloves
1 TB anchovy paste
1 TB Dijon mustard
1 TB Lea and Perrins
juice of 2 lemons
1 egg, coddled
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
(We prefer Il Villagio from the Teeter.)
Mince the garlic.
Whisk in the anchovy paste, mustard,
lemon juice, and Lea & Perrins.
(We're using anchovy paste here for the convenience.
We only wanted a small amount of dressing
and using up a leftover tin of anchovies
is not the easiest thing to do.)
To coddle an egg,
bring water to a boil,
and place egg in water for one minute.
Crack egg into mixture and whisk.
Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking, to emulsify.
Grate Parmesan into dressing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdvd6gMjWpoRUHzQtFt4E999DZsYmvP303JeMPokaQVebrLpe1k1NjRiOj43yGxIXnYJCzTWD1wPSfQhu8UbnSehTQc9ydw5D-zwtVbefYZU_TIHY0AsFLzIJiGIfJtIDHU94t958JL8/s400/DSCN0396.JPG)
Mr. Hawthorne decided he needed some wine
in his menage a trois.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb8J-8UREXA-dGWOBz4i_qYGAadYCoV994OZkLCzCsd8JD3BFqRopSQ8cTVLG09Fc-JT30mQPtWjieUgEt841q-Sb0vJcAauJr6hm_HcOafNDzXXaXGKZn2r4JE9fDQ-mlHQim1SDV-U/s400/DSCN0401.JPG)
Mr. Hawthorne uses a garlic press to mash his garlic.
I prefer using a knife to mince the garlic.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQpR4hP3id65in7pcLWYpe2v5oslGUZfcu_PI4LlGu-1rTY4tAsVwiRkxh9BKLm2IsLqmWbzTIntxWi-8etE-0Icjuz1QL6jOsmqdwmWaOy_jZkmSN8s9kG9H2ZOjc2I91ED4ncMfVIE/s400/DSCN0406.JPG)
He squeezed out a tablespoon or so
of anchovy paste.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGslNtfR1GQQ5_IJIYA8Pdw64KD5Ovr9sjsTVcC7ZD-jKIKtMI-bQPedLy_u1UviHAAVnJbLZIrjYHRgwQWydSgmT3i3zpwp81GD7Fqx7d3Mf1MMFqsMRavwf3SYE6dDuT1xGkNgmt6M/s400/DSCN0413.JPG)
Juice of two lemons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ1pccRMwz7sUPj2M8JzXo-ikQrskeWaROrFSYLT6xeCm1k5vYKjrJ050Ta_UAg24u8P5PpKJyZ5kWKpuoGysrtdtA6uXRziK3t5cG5uy5YYolKNO70k7zlD0PHLuFgWQ1MwRP7OSmng/s400/DSCN0415.JPG)
Whisk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFwT982exlxNFY-ot5TgktAJ0EQhzLrbhIhcvWYoa6QaW_SudzFY1JBiWGNdDyf4JAeu4dhgmpkwHI0SgbVmoJ6Z2iHTTdokmLsgsGqllnodAVNvx8pmkEFFYcMG8DA-h5C4ryv6gPt0/s400/DSCN0416.JPG)
And whisk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHEN55Lp4bVDJm2WZ3EBAnxtZjuG3Xutsi4d1SvL8sfwepKOdAIZIBlwnR3DsRUs7u_QQBN8HrhurQxJLIqsUUathhryicDspLmNUIyIgcFA2ckZ7zTQBZHGc7DuzII-_gMOELJus9qQ/s400/DSCN0423.JPG)
Dijon mustard in.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPubzNhK3KAoJHWh3ZicAqr6qtE5wFmu0Y-bmd9sRD5NMbFet8Le5xtGavK4zDRRwzbu-G_tWsGpkYAGK6JgoA65cURrZ9E_K2P-WO1zJSp4DMqWLGNWjLHcT9tKNqDPAy8eVUgJFGdeQ/s400/DSCN0427.JPG)
Lea & Perrins in.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHw1c7NEXNGp0TyCaaXchEGgTOkJ9ziCU3AdtKAMht0ENtUPxrIEh5sBxsVjqqFKyKAC2l2lWOwEBso-fYbe_6owCe5GVLRmKYzPZdhv3pVtBkCvNOq7WDRPhfTHUWKlHoQT5jlH99Q8/s400/DSCN0440.JPG)
Bring water to a boil
and drop an egg into it.
Leave it for one minute ...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia8UabLZAPtqCP58xS04TBbXoFhXEDhezfi6tRHR5zCLrNiUDonZ7r4cfreHQZ2EcWSG60-qzIc9ZOrf8UihqkCXZ4mBTC7oUKFn0V3r7LVj2e-_8IPyZt7B3ZjASIAZMfF_eE3kUG1g/s400/DSCN0443.JPG)
... then add to Caesar dressing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFjxsSlQWs9En_PUQWadnvXTHnrLWEQNRhM8S1UjCDh7gv1f7GGyTV0gPN-OHX4v483sAx9CtSrMI81buCOTAENCBotI0PDX40z4rFCQZZjX4BvUyblQ4uAr9UJ16TiWpxf_EIFZPf3w/s400/DSCN0444.JPG)
Whisk away.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTbtoZLhyphenhyphen8gw-8ZkT4Ep_Z-_Zy37ciR0JEtfz7C8HH18eF9lEjMpm0hRgFsuexzzZUycwEuDGJ7lKy7AhCTPeBaAuS8cB9CXCOq6YaWgUxDKtb4NN3AW5msdrC68iufdrN6uhwUmEeVM/s400/DSCN0447.JPG)
Slowly drizzle in the ELBOO,
whisking, until you have a nice emulsion.
Taste test
and adjust ingredients to your taste.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_AqqKZGBLbSSZIVdgliIhhMxyw5Ox4S-Ul9KLE3zxDz8TyGhYnkJi8gqvJHrPi7bHe7XcGOywFn5Lqeh2JB703BjiUqwCXZgjDO_zgYtAGRSRU0mnQCilZbmdrRwFn8_3ZxzMWQhbVI/s400/DSCN0460.JPG)
These hand held rotary graters come in handy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Qjr9CT7o6_1dE7zt1-bIcA_GAQ03CWmiIn-PLppKLGN9NBLJ1CAv3XzQUu5f7vJngGfb8V9ECn2EJtBXNg0rorCLcrMhgd3rQf_bSMwYzVySyZphqKtxOJtMH6R2hk5lFgX0JrAjME/s400/DSCN0464.JPG)
Grate in cheese.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WbX__8wzqUrKfA5vt1qFY_okDIzRyu4tgvbyAxgm8eZHf6ENyU6fOakVq_TjTURj5EYfTwLPq07fHaS-uEo7CZFOmHtu_KIxOYHB3W6rYFClfdPsPIgOoJrUm5rWHV2qas8BRdoz9G4/s400/DSCN0388.JPG)
Next, I started on my croutons.
I only used about 3/4 of the loaf,
saving the rest for Moreover French Toast on Sunday Morning.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-LU9r2o-hgY8Q6g4LjouusxN_vZWEitXM5Dcf3K6WOvqF-TTljBt6gKDmdDfVak7qNQLTu_vUjhNytrV9mLjN_F-j__5_rJ_fAW6SjoqEca0tYe4jS9CZc6MiR5ga5Fr5LEvlIkPLso/s400/DSCN0390.JPG)
I went down to my herb garden
and picked oregano, variegated lemon thyme,
English thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiCNUhvb8NNaxMEIWfw995VrXJBJx0M3ywYaVChVY0xs4s911SERKPV1fMb1uE2IrXXYGMfYx6gzVtyrr0xh4lUT9kJBP0zwbtklafJFkzwqyeW4LOwzLxMx0DRb4EU_UHFCSXRqmZuk/s400/DSCN0392.JPG)
Smells really good.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUisFly1Gi_C1Fw6hQH6BII1DMOiJWgthvXvtf9x_lgoHFjItAVl6Md6tiWeLGZKX_sARfr99Y8ESqLjvnv0XUqwn2XCtFKUWXe6HOvRNB6oIXXYl_NPYmYAPM3oGGR_0WJhX3amPPnk/s400/DSCN0432.JPG)
I stripped the leaves off the woody stems of the
rosemary and thyme and chopped all my herbs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmTQld6-tE-SyCtGuIwj3KsqDqWLerm_v9g-VDeC6l_sb7NwW2bjMdpdXVJySwC6ktBsq_I6jeFCNL_A0TdjNTbO2FEnJw4fwQ8dJfkGan8PLyBesMvBbT6fzUtcBqVTDMb3LKTz1ptg/s400/DSCN0455.JPG)
I melted 1/2 stick of butter in my stove top-to-oven pan
and added in a little ELBOO.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkEL4KVeE4LbTrht-YmScOT0hJAHItO8TXdgauyHulHCYdplVvp57iMXPh9JXB4EFOi0o0pBlD6T2pdFXDLPr7BQ0S1qSnbWNwnZzhwTsnjZfE7wzymjUwpGojTSI8TNN2v8f3P9aqz0/s400/DSCN0458.JPG)
4 garlic cloves ...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_tgAGAHOwEuLxJBwiBDfS8Avx1l-XQZgxYQnLLg0VuHrPeKm19tEL4VkyLKcKncaedWJUdBwUHk_vb1lwcUIrQkqd-0WgpzDM5yKN5rKZaXAjdcwl9hdp9DpxHDS6SJadHwJN1Sc16s/s400/DSCN0465.JPG)
... minced, into butter and oil
over medium heat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIZs-kfd2978wZyXIUwKcaumkNFARWWBFwPdnEBSxnj9pj8VKkqtFVRQzoyjIipQYV9pid40lsqNkaPbSnwLDEK2sVRt77M39K6KzZndqXXQCvA55T_QnmLJLZuB7nDsJQBQdIldj0Pc/s400/DSCN0466.JPG)
Add in herbs and cook for a minute or two
to release the flavors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggbx69KHqXHRPqexLIKIzpeJsF21e3shCBpjnPhMmDzCNnAnnR36sInvIOMk-9ey_htAUHlx_YIf_k2LpQwlt5vth8fTtjtWNz2oSp0XKO2F4cFFYpYy150YJft4kcBFRScai9BSWIjA/s400/DSCN0473.JPG)
Tear bread into cubes ...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKMtdEG3W-V5bHDggHnO0F7TuCsNTo5My8FfhQqNGfiBXxhZ_WAXp3DbgdgPIKp718XiQ2PJU5bmIFYTbgBGNfSt4rxPeemWoUF3HQeE6ib18-ztBxln4WD0mWs_q5alO10ycnjeTUMI/s400/DSCN0475.JPG)
... and add to herb mixture.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoLhWG_9x7_PCuv9WKczYx1PA_xPTE6jk-yI3jYgbzH9pS5Wk4W4NwrjdB6iWw7dHHyFmvxkhoLJli2WgiyCOUE6WyKL2cWs0YmSJEdlqEwx-_nHMlwJSIHyB-7pUE2zWaG6agN5-UWU/s400/DSCN0482.JPG)
Toss quickly to coat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Nk5n-b_JnXT1DefS_M8-X10qzV0MFiGRUu06xqBanv5n0vBeirnenUVcLfvZCOkGURZhBFnxHx7dOOcv-thWiCOFn5U1OI1RUYfeI1VZwFfeYElUt25LzeTS0qvW9U4-0vlwYSNncg/s400/DSCN0484.JPG)
Cook for about 5 minutes,
shaking and stirring to slightly brown the cubes.
Place the croutons in a slow oven - about 250 degrees
and let bake until desired level of toastiness.
About thirty minutes works for me.
Shake pan every now and then during baking time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxh6FKJEvFKPQYCRQde_hVhA5T_jU3FmCNK7wUaYPh_DC4xBhAkazcEHWQUqPfJl-3fYaNn7Bkghq21awJHzy49drIS_aUkLCYzU8XUyk47aWv-AcDlaGLd5T9ONW4X-T4Es2j50MjIY/s400/DSCN0493.JPG)
I love these little nuggets of herbaliciousness.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDO-00OQ8Z48zs9Z10JnWmO3WdnCrEva9fAoAyffFzZyJRzH_W6WLk4WzythGFC-GV6qWTWxONfn3wbcJKLMCAfg8bYNtgKSYkpZRMONrRZ3OGmNnyQ6gNzolayIbM45OGDrFMgqU7L4/s400/DSCN0485.JPG)
Me washee produce!
Me washee produce!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nv5tTxowmWVSagrXwyRpqukW3LBOC4u5nbcUlkx2fi0g4bdUDeSVw38LHrxJ45GJ_fJ35HqndfDY5Kuq7GauJ2nTRrF0bfTIdc_q1n9G-hZGUSBEstjA_mCWcQyfyQwn6V_Xz9j3KIc/s400/DSCN0497.JPG)
Blot dry with paper towels.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbfqB9fbsUF1BX6zN-71kINDs2UH_XK5-9l981qFrmPLEt3o-hRejQCJB8r4270S0qFL-XJYVSdYdA1xmJxiIZzCBBOF8eCevbptIhGcbYc4XbJp-pysVR3Y0mp7K0xC2sMN9NM7Kroc/s400/DSCN0500.JPG)
Tear lettuce.
Pour on dressing.
Add croutons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrh7xZsEnHZO5lXhFtPpDF4CC-73FWlxgSUfYjiJuH5ChyphenhyphencSjCDMp4z2icL7dSKJ8OHlfbT7_Tjg9jF-TcWGGyv2jAcJEP2x1bm8OsOc_XugSM9xpi4o3OS9H7vBUgYF_sfhUrN9730E/s400/DSCN0501.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwExr2pVV6JKelCACje7Pppdy5rMLJsyUuID2rwPvF-S08lHB7qFTV_uJ8bTMRnjOQiPVxPluscNvKwaDaBp-j_D4XG2IcT6_orKZW5fLx99y97Fb9NnaGRFQ7MZls4oDDo1mz502bJCE/s400/DSCN0502.JPG)
Don't forget the smoked chicken.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdHCf8W4a7wEapaViHXJgoRn-a9tvnoRYBtLPXG43xfKkY7o4xkWEtQMSXi9ZW2ePu5i7nhOc2QXoQ5HP6_ijG9HII6HvuDzAePKxRLuCKT7Zf-ulU9ZwP5MDAMKWHpSQmIQ-Qp_ui_s/s400/DSCN0506.JPG)
Add a little smoked chicken.
Another lovely dinner.
2 comments:
Looks yummy.
Sigh, all anyone ever brings me is six pounds of overcooked spaghetti.
I love little nuggets of herbaliciousness. ;)
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