Salad for the Stomach (and the Soul)

In an effort to banish the blues this week (caused by tactless people, mischievous househelp, chaotic schedule, etc.), I decided to put on my frilly, pink TBR apron—the one I own only in my delusional Martha Stewartesque world—and whip up a Salad Nicoise for dinner last night.

You must know that this was a special occasion due to the fact that I never cook. Never. The closest I ever get to our kitchen is when the kids and I cook their gelatin. And I don’t even boil the required 1 cup of hot water myself! For me to actually pick a recipe from a magazine was a feat in itself. Well, in this case, it wasn’t too difficult since the magazine was my favorite, Runner’s World August issue.

I stumbled upon the recipe a few nights ago soon after I had felt guilty, bloated, unsatisfied by all the junkfood (read: jalapeno cheetos) I’ve been devouring for the past month. As I browsed through the recipe (over my bulging belly), I knew that I should start eating healthy again. Tomorrow was the day, I thought. And, it had to start with nothing else but a totally enticing and delectable sounding salad: the Salad Nicoise (my favorite salad actually).

The following day, I headed for the supermarket to purchase the red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, lettuce, and other ingredients. Oh, I forgot to mention my favorite capers which was an added treat to the TBR version of this salad recipe. And, last night, after a 7km run on the treadmill (yes, I’m back on the machine), I whipped up the meal in no time and munched on it like a ravenous little rabbit. (I ate it so quickly, in fact, that I was halfway through when I thought of taking the photo below.)

- TBR version of RW Salad Nicoise, August issue. Admittedly, it doesn’t look appetizing in this photo, but my photography skills are to blame for that. -

Needless to say, it was delicious (although no one else can vouch for my claim). Yes, it did alleviate the stresses of the week. It made me feel strong, healthy, happy—just like Martha Stewart…after she was released from prison, that is.

Posted on 07.24.08 to 06 Food & Nutrition. Tags: Food. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 10 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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10 Responses to “Salad for the Stomach (and the Soul)”

Wow it looks great but if you were already halfway through the salad when you took this picture I do not want to know how much salad there was to start of with? At least you did the 7km before that. I see you are also testing grounds on triathlon. I publisha post on my blog, please check it out and give advice. http://www.foreignrunner.blogspot.com. Are you going to do the milo? Found out today there is not 21km for metro Manila only 42, 10, 5 and 3km what a bummer…

Philip said on Jul 24 08 at 7:06 PM Reply
Uhmm, how exactly do you pronounce “Nicoise”? I don’t attempt to eat what I can’t pronounce – di ko kasi masabi sa waiter

datc035 said on Jul 24 08 at 9:26 PM Reply
kulit mo talaga jaymie. you have an amazing humor and a future in salad making.hehehe=) talented! mukha ngang masarap.

happy veggie munching! =)

p.s.
excited na ako sa nike+ human race. wapak! =)

CatA said on Jul 24 08 at 9:26 PM Reply
Congratulations on your first attempt in the kitchen! Any salad is my favorite but I can have “Paco Salad” everyday. Wanna try it?
Paco leaves (being sold at P120/kg)
Cane Vinegar
Tomatoes
Onion
Sugar
Ground Pepper
Salted Duck Eggs
The dressing is supposed to taste like that of Pancake House’s famous Mexican Taco
Yummy!

Nora said on Jul 24 08 at 9:28 PM Reply
nax! turning over a new leaf si mare! martha stewart, move over! hahahah! date natin ah?

banggigay said on Jul 25 08 at 5:52 AM Reply
“It made me feel strong, healthy, happy—just like Martha Stewart…after she was released from prison, that is.”

A defining moment!

The joys of eating your fave after a run – blessed be our comfort food!

moomba said on Jul 25 08 at 11:05 AM Reply
marunong ka palang magluto?!? i didn’t know that.

e-rod said on Jul 25 08 at 11:55 AM Reply
oy mare! di pa ako naglalunch tapos nakita ko ito! rrrrrrrr

marga said on Jul 25 08 at 1:20 PM Reply
Philip, I’m skipping Milo. What distance are you running?

Datc, nee-swahz. Next time, ituro mo nalang sa menu.

CatA, thanks! Hanggang salad nalang ata ako kasi wala talagang cooking skills.

Nora, woooah paco salad! First time I’ve heard of it. Sige, when I feel inspired again I shall try it. Thanks!

Banggi, “turning over a new leaf” sounds familiar eh? I know that isn’t me.

Moomba, yes, blessed be our comfort food for we shall be weak unhappy runners without them.

E-rod, hindi marunong. Sumusubok lang maghalo ng kasangkapan.

Marga, 1 salad or 2 big macs? Let me know what you end up having for lunch

thebullrunner said on Jul 25 08 at 1:45 PM Reply
wait. you really have a frilly pink apron?

marga said on Jul 25 08 at 1:46 PM Reply