Friday, May 23, 2014

Asparagus, Exercise, Spring.

003Today I was christened The Queen of Asparagus by Hilary Melton-Butcher which I guess is kind of justified by the fact that I eat so much of it, in season, and also post so many recipes. Wednesday, one of the owners of the bowling alley asked if I had managed to obtain any asparagus yet, I assured him I had, he said he wondered because he passes an apple farm on the way to work which sells asparagus and he said he could get me some. Under those circumstances I asked him to pick some up for me as he passed the place anyway. Thursday we went in to the alley and he had about $15 worth as I requested, but he wouldn’t take a penny for it. So very nice of him. They are glad of the help I give them in forming the winter and summer leagues. Not a lot, but they obviously appreciate the little I do do, which is very nice. It is supposed to be locally grown, but not from Barrie’s – I didn’t know there was another asparagus farm in the area. Barrie’s is still the best.

I started walking on my treadmill again this week, that was on Monday, on Tuesday I got a sore foot and had trouble walking all day, how typical. I will be trying again today, Friday. It has been fine bowling so it should be OK for walking on the treadmill again.  I am not quite sure what was wrong but it seemed connected with my flip flops or thongs which, at present, I cannot wear. I can’t do a lot on the machine anyway, but every little helps. When I think how I used to walk 4 miles a day not so many years ago, it really annoys me but what can you do?

The weather still isn’t much good here yet, the trees look lovely still, but the skies have been cloudy and sunshine we have not had. It’s not really cold but it’s not really warm either. It reminds me of a line out of the song June is Busting Out All Over from Carousel “a crowd of doubting Thomases was predicting that the summer’d never come”. I know it’s not June yet.



Asparagus and Endive Salad

1 lb fresh asparagus , trimmed and cut into 2 incAsparagus & Endive Saladh pieces
1/2 tsp grated orange peel
1 Tbs Juice, orange, fresh
2 Tbs seasoned rice vinegar
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs small shallots , minced
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp black pepper
8 oz Belgian endive, fresh, head , cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch strips (2 heads)

1. Place 1/2 inch of water at the bottom of a 12 inch pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add in asparagus and cook until tender yet crisp, about 2 minutes. Place in strainer, rinse under cold water, drain, and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the orange peel, orange juice, vinegar, oil, shallots, sugar, salt, mustard, and pepper until well combined.
3. Add the asparagus and endive to the bowl with the dressing. Mix well to evenly coat and serve.

Servings: 4

Source: dLife

Author Notes
Light and elegant salad combining asparagus and endive in a homemade orange Dijon vinaigrette.
Try using a sugar substitute instead of regular sugar.

Have a great day
Jo

12 comments:

  1. I have not tried any dishes with Asparagus. Happy to hear you started walking in the the treadmill. I am yet to start. I left it one month back. Here the climate is good!

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    1. Do try some, they can be absolutely delicious.

      Lucky you.

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  2. Nice of him to give you the asparagus.
    Funny you used the word thongs. I remember when flip flops were thongs. Now they are underwear. Not sure when that happened...

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    1. Wasn't it. Very unexpected. The two owners of the alley are the nicest people.

      When I first came to Canada flip flops were called that in the UK but thongs here. I had kind of forgotten about them being underwear now. Not sure when it happened either.

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  3. Just my opinion but throw the thongs in the trash. Terrible for walking. And then maybe your 'food' will not be sore.

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    1. Basically you are right Denise, I only use them as bedroom slippers. Once I am dressed I am wearing orthotics anyway. Terrible to have sore food. Thanks for pointing it out.

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  4. I don't like flip flops either. They are the staple footwear around here but that thing between my toes hurts way too bad. My friends told me to get more expensive ones and 'power through it' till my feet get used to it but I'm not powering through any kind of discomfort. I could use some new orthotics though, and I desperately want a pair of those skechers memory foam shoes.

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    Replies
    1. When I was young I would wear them all the time. Never had a problem with the "thing" through the middle. These days I only wear them in the morning when I get out of bed. Not sure what happened to my foot. Luckily for us, our private insurance pays for orthotics.

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  5. You truly are the queen of asparagus! I've never had endive...must give this a try.
    I'm sorry about your foot, that sure sounds frustrating. I hope it goes better for you today. Take it slow and steady.
    I love flip-flops, but they are terrible for your feet. I have to be careful with my plantar fasciatis threatening to reappear. I have to wear good shoes all the time...
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You have to remember it is a bitter green. I love it personally. Yup, my foot was fine today. I wear good shoes 99% of the time, but not when I get out of bed in the morning. I get plantar fasciitis too now and again.

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  6. Hi Jo,

    Such an endorsement from Hilary. Perhaps a crown made out of asparagus? :)

    Hope you foot gets better real soon. And yes, speaking of lost in translation, a thong is something quite different over in England as certainly is no reference to a beach sandal :) I shall now flip flop out of here....

    Have a lovely Friday evening, Jo.

    Gary

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    Replies
    1. Trouble with a crown like that, I would eat it!!!

      Thanks, it is better. I am assuming a Thong in the UK refers to underwear same as it does in the states.

      Great Friday to you too Gary.

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