plage de temps

Plage de temps, or literally "beach of time," also is an expression for "a space of time for oneself to which one repairs on a daily or periodic basis" according to Mireille Guiliano---a concept that I thought about a great deal during the two weeks I combed the shoreline for green, brown, and bluey bits of sea glass to add to my collection (they represent to me the equivalent of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's shells in Gift from the Sea).

I am proud of myself for not only suggesting this vacation, this much-needed plage de temps, but also actually taking the time off as well. We didn't travel far---just the 10 miles from our home to the sea and back every day---and kept expenses low by packing picnics, with the occasional treat of a simple restaurant meal of grilled fish (done beachside here) and salad. OK, there also were regular stops at the ice cream kiosk as well, but it WAS a holiday. :-)

It would have been easy, though, to forgo the vacation entirely in the name of austerity, especially as my husband's job search and this era of economic uncertainty continue to drag on. But we both had worked so hard in the past year---everyone well deserved this break. As does everyone out there who has been affected by the stresses of the Great Recession.

Staycations and nearcations are great ways to promote plage de temps. You may not be fortunate as we are to live so close to a popular vacation spot, but there must be a park or recreational area within a similar distance to your house as well, perhaps even your own backyard, where you could enjoy a brief escape. After work today, I plan to start the weekend off right by soaking my feet in a washbasin while relaxing under the beach umbrella on our terrace. For as the waves lapped at my ankles last week, I learned that with a little effort and imagination, I can always have the sea with me.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

new beginnings

“…to make an end is to make a beginning.”
— T.S. Eliot


And so for Nochevieja I decided to end the year by trying something new---make my own sushi rolls. Perhaps some of the crab and avocado pieces are a tad off center, but that didn't seem to bother anyone as everyone gave my first attempt at DIY sushi the big thumbs up. So good they were I think I may have found myself a new culinary hobby for 2010. :-) A belly full of sushi and this cute, thoroughly enjoyable New Year's Eve-themed movie made for the perfect, stay-at-home evening, topped with a little bubbly at midnight and sweet dreams of the many delights that await us in the next 365 days. Here's to new beginnings!

bring on the sun!

This morning I turned in the final chapters of the project I'd been working on, so our almost-end-of-summer vacation is officially underway! :-D

First order of business, prepping a pitcher of sangria! I've seen a hundred different recipes for sangria of varied ingredients and complexity. I'm listing my easy, easy instructions, guaranteed to refresh on the hottest and most humid of summer days. Here's what you need:

Red wine (don't splash out on an expensive wine; a decent red table wine will suffice)
Casera (if you can't get Casera, a lemon- or lime-flavored seltzer water is a good replacement)
Fresh-squeezed orange juice (you can use juice from a carton if you must)
Lots of ice
Sliced oranges, nectarines, apples, lemons

Fill a pitcher just over one third with the wine. Add about the same amount of Casera/seltzer. Top off with the orange juice. Your pitcher should now be three quarters full. Add the ice, and garnish with the fruit. Simple. And DELICIOUS. :-)

¡viva españa!

Friday how I love thee! And what a better way to wind down and start the weekend but with a lusciously refreshing pitcher of sangria and a plate (or two) of this supereasy quick paella!

The recipe provided the needed inspiration for this week's staycation meal, and we adapted it slightly to accommodate our family's dietary requirements. For example, we used spicy vegetarian sausage and made our own saffron rice in our beloved rice cooker. Additionally, canned artichoke hearts worked equally well, as does vegetable broth (or white wine). Finally, we also threw in a few mussels, along with the shrimp, to make the dish un poco mas auténtico! Other substitutions/additions you could make include some roast chicken/faux chicken pieces or even smoked tofu. ¡Delicioso!

Now for that glass of sangria, and could someone please pass the olives?

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

comfort food

I have another confession to make---The Happy Recessionist is a noodle-holic. I simply could eat noodles every day. At least once. Skinny, fat, round, flat---I do not discriminate; I love them all.

After last week's fairly involved staycation meal, I thought this week we would make something that could be prepared in thirty minutes, and if the recipe just also happened to feature one of my favorite foods, all the better. :-) Here's the ingredient list:

Noodles, whichever you fancy and have on hand
Oil (I used olive), 2 T
Garlic, 3 cloves
Fresh ginger, about 1-inch piece
Soy sauce
Hot chili sauce (I used Sriracha sauce)
Carrots
Red pepper
Edamame (frozen is ok)
Chicken/faux chicken, 1-inch cubes (I used Quorn chicken-like pieces)
Fresh cilantro, as much as you like :-)

While the water for the noodles boils, I finely chop the garlic and ginger and then whisk together with the oil, soy sauce, and chili sauce. Use whatever proportions you are most comfortable with---I tend to use less soy/more chili sauce because that's what we prefer. Then I chop the carrots, red pepper, and cilantro.

I heat the wok (or deep saute pan will work) until medium hot, then add the sauce mixture and meat/faux meat first. Once that's cooking nicely, I add the edamame; keep stirring and tossing. Next, I add the carrots and peppers. If the pan seems a little dry, rather than adding more oil, I will add a little water and then cover to steam for several minutes.

The noodles I use cook rather quickly, in just a couple minutes, so I add them to the water now. If you are using longer-cooking noodles, though, you'll need to keep this in mind and add to the boiling water earlier in the process. When the noodles are ready, drain, and then add to the wok/pan for just a minute or two, mixing in with the rest of the now-cooked ingredients. Lastly, stir in the fresh cilantro, and serve!

staycations

One of the food-related web sites I frequent suggested recently that since so many of us are foregoing long and expensive summer vacations, we should plan culinary-themed "staycations." Once a week or so a family meal could be planned around a different country or region's cuisine. Additionally, children in the family could help with researching the selected area, planning the menu, and preparing the food. GREAT idea, and right up our alley because our family loves dishes from all over the world!

So this week we had a bunch of beautiful eggplants and potatoes to use, and my husband found this recipe online (brinjal = eggplant or aubergine, just FYI). Your staycation meals need not be so elaborate, although it is fun sometimes to set aside a couple of hours for everyone to help cook. :-) If you are short for recipe ideas, I have found Foodbuzz to be an endless source of inspiration.

I'll be posting more of our "staycation" meals in the weeks to come. Let us know what you decide to make as well!

Have a great weekend, everyone!