Ya ya. I know. Not exactly super active on the bloggers front lately. Well, I do have a lot of things on my mind, and somehow my writings seems to get stuck back in the thinking phase.. They all bottle up soooo well in that comfy zone.. That, combined with long bright nordic summer days (and nights), make my thoughts take it really slow in materializing themselves into words and actually managing the journey - from my mind - all the way to the pc - and on to the blog. Go figure?!
Today I did it. Because today I was thinking about salads. Yup. Perfect food for long warm summer days, I think. And I was applauding myself for this summer having pushed my salad comfort zone to the limits (oh yeah) and thrown myself out in new and unknown salad territory. This summer I have been such a brave salad explorer. Very adventurous, I tell you:-)
So, let me show you my favorites so far, and please do feel free to tell me yours. First up: a green salad with tomatoes, asparagus, salmon and avocado. With a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, some nuts and the crispy green lettuce the flavors went so well together. That rich nutty/sweet texture of the avocado went so well with the light salty fish:
The next runner up had crispy fresh lettuce, spicy red chili, salty shrimps and (my Mumbai favorite) sweet mango. What a great combination of flavors also - that balance of spicy, sweet, bland and salty... Perfect!
One of my favorite ingredients in salads are tomatoes, and I couldn't help laughing thinking back to some shopping vegetable moments in India. So fresh. So tasty. And those guys who thought it was hilarious with this foreign lady who wanted to take pictures of something so ordinary as vegetables.. But hey guys: you presented them so well,, that's why:-)
I think my conclusion is that I am a big fan of salads with balanced flavors: salty with sweet for example. Like the shrimps&mangoes, avocado&fish - and of course: sweet watermelon&salty feta cheese:
And let us not forget that balanced Greek salad: freshly cut red sweet tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, olives and onion - always a perfect dish on a hot summer day:
So, besides eating my way through the worlds salads, what have I been up to lately? Well, a bit of this:
- Sweating myself up steep hills to reach mountain tops ....
... to feel like I am on top of the world...
So, peace and quiet and just some blues to go along, and as we are hooked on salads, what can be a more perfect dessert that fresh blueberries and strawberries:
And in a few days I am going traveling...
Do you remember the crazy AtoZ challenge I participated in in April? When I traveled around the world - and took you along? 26 days and 26 dream destinations. Well, now I am going to travel to one of them.
Stay tuned to see where I will take you along dear reader... Buckle up...
Ta ta!
Today I did it. Because today I was thinking about salads. Yup. Perfect food for long warm summer days, I think. And I was applauding myself for this summer having pushed my salad comfort zone to the limits (oh yeah) and thrown myself out in new and unknown salad territory. This summer I have been such a brave salad explorer. Very adventurous, I tell you:-)
So, let me show you my favorites so far, and please do feel free to tell me yours. First up: a green salad with tomatoes, asparagus, salmon and avocado. With a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, some nuts and the crispy green lettuce the flavors went so well together. That rich nutty/sweet texture of the avocado went so well with the light salty fish:
The next runner up had crispy fresh lettuce, spicy red chili, salty shrimps and (my Mumbai favorite) sweet mango. What a great combination of flavors also - that balance of spicy, sweet, bland and salty... Perfect!
One of my favorite ingredients in salads are tomatoes, and I couldn't help laughing thinking back to some shopping vegetable moments in India. So fresh. So tasty. And those guys who thought it was hilarious with this foreign lady who wanted to take pictures of something so ordinary as vegetables.. But hey guys: you presented them so well,, that's why:-)
I think my conclusion is that I am a big fan of salads with balanced flavors: salty with sweet for example. Like the shrimps&mangoes, avocado&fish - and of course: sweet watermelon&salty feta cheese:
And let us not forget that balanced Greek salad: freshly cut red sweet tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, olives and onion - always a perfect dish on a hot summer day:
- Sweating myself up steep hills to reach mountain tops ....
... to feel like I am on top of the world...
... and topping that feeling with throwing my sweaty self in to ice cold mountain water..:
And in a few days I am going traveling...
Do you remember the crazy AtoZ challenge I participated in in April? When I traveled around the world - and took you along? 26 days and 26 dream destinations. Well, now I am going to travel to one of them.
Stay tuned to see where I will take you along dear reader... Buckle up...
Ta ta!
Enjoyed your post about salads and all those great photos of them.YUM! I would want to take photos of the Indian market place, too. Amazing those tomatoes didn't fall over. And what gorgeous scenery where you are in Norway! Just beautiful! It looks a lot like Canada and our climates are similar so it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear Cathy, so happy you enjoyed:-) Yes, I think quite similar to Canada:-) Always happy to see you here. Sending hugs
DeleteI loved your salad medley. The Watermelon -Feta and the Mango-Shrimp combinations are the 2 I would choose along with my all time favourite - the Greek Salad.
ReplyDeleteI loved the pics of the Mumbai 'bhaaji' markets and can just imagine the look on their faces when you took their pics. LOL.
Aaaww- so happy you loved it:-) Yes, to funny:-) Big hugs your way, and thank you for your kind words
DeleteOh, I am SO HUNGRY now... all of those salads look and sound absolutely divine! Loved the photos, and intrigued to see where you'll be traveling!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurel- so happy you enjoyed:-) Big hugs
Deletethis post just made me hungry!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I also want to eat strawberries!!
Oh great - and the strawberries - yes - really yum:-) Thanks for following:-) Happy to see you here
DeleteThe salads look absolutely stunning and tempting! Loved the pics and the tomatoes looks so rich, sad that its price has reached sky high these past few days! Looking forward to your travelogue and have a great time too, Eli :)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Shilpa:-) Didnt know that about the tomatoes... too bad. Always so happy to see you here. Big hugs to you
Deletehey Eli one should never give up the salad triggering creative juice..love lettuce n cucumber:)
ReplyDeleteYup - great Vishal:-) Happy to see you here, as always. All the best:-)
DeleteOhh the salads are tempting me you know! Looking forward to your posts Eli...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nabanita:-) Hugs
DeleteI enjoy fresh salads, and greek salad is always a favourite :) Love Feta! Being a vegetarian, the quality of salad bars was always an important criteria for me in picking out restaurants when I lived outside India.
ReplyDeleteAs if to match perfectly the freshness of the salads in your post, the sky in these pictures is also so crisply blue and fresh :) Enjoy your upcoming travels and don't forget to share the pictures!
Thank you so much Beloo! I will:-) From one feta-lover to another:-) Thanks for sharing and for following. Big hugs dear
DeleteDearest Eli,
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad you are still enjoying the Nordic lights... I know exactly what you describe. Living in two worlds makes our thoughts float more than those of people that always seem to stay put!
But your salads look very yummy and yes, it is my favorite food for summer too. Mango is so special.
Oh, in India, or in the Far East for that matter, they are such artists in displaying their veggies and fruits. They don't seem to see it themselves but compared to the western world they sure stand out!
Hugs and ENJOY your special time!
Mariette
Dear Mariette, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for your always so warm and kind words. I so appreciate it. Always so happy to see you here dear. Big hugs back to you:-)
DeleteWow! Wonder where you are off to!
ReplyDeleteI am crazy about salads too! I am vegetarian, so just about any veg. Love tomatoes too! What a joy it is to shop veggies...and the conversations, too!
Safe travels, Eli!
Oh, thats great Vidya- and yes, I also love shopping vegetables and the talks:-) So happy to see you here, thank you so much dear. Big hugs
DeleteThose salads have made me HUNGRY. Every. One. Of. Them.
ReplyDeleteYum!!
Yay:-) Happy you enjoyed, dear Cindi
DeleteDear Eli,
ReplyDeleteFrom one salad lover to another: I absolutely loved this post of yours. So yummy! And with the heat-wave over Scandinavia at the moment a salad is pure heaven for lunch.
Enjoy lovely summerdays sweetie and blog whenever you feel like it. You know we're here when you feel like it. :)
Take care!
Charlie
xx
Thank you so much sweetie. So true - feel I have lived on salads lately -in the warm weather. You too enjoy your days, and thanks again - your kind words make me so happy
DeleteFresh salads in such vibrant colors... I have observed everything gets a tad more colorful in your posts- the blue of water, the red of tomato, the green of bush. Am waiting for your travel account for your next destination.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jayanta! So appreciate your encouraging and kind words:-)
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of fruit in salads. I like a balance of flavors too, but usually in a sweeter dressing, or in the addition of tomatoes. Sea food, onions and avocado are always on my list for the perfect salad, however. Also, no cabbage. Japan uses cabbage as the staple in ALL of its salads and I'm so sick of eating shredded cabbage.
ReplyDeleteGreat:-) Thanks for sharing. So happy to see you here
Delete