Dishing Up the Dirt

leaving on a jet plane…

May 16, 2012

Another thing that should have been added to my “confessions post” is the fact that I am afraid to fly.

Yes, I know it is silly, but I really hate flying.  I usually have nightmares the evening before a flight and things never end well in my dream.  This has been a recurring problem for a long time now.  Especially since I usually board an airplane multiple times a year.

I am that awkward passenger that always asks to hold the hand of my neighbor when there is a lot of turbulence.  The only benefit from this is that I usually make fast friends with a total stranger. So just an fyi, if you are ever seated next to a 5 foot, brown-eyed, brown-haired, dirt between her fingernails young woman, you may have to spring into action!

Wish I could bring Henry on my flight.

With all that being said, I made a random dinner for my last night of cooking for the next 4 nights.

This should have been a culinary disaster since I combined the most unlikely of ingredients, textures, and taste.  However, it turned out beautifully and I am really glad I whipped this up.

This meal all began when I decided to roast some chicken thighs that had been in our freezer with some fresh potatoes.  I just drizzled a little olive oil, salt and pepper on everything and placed it all in the oven to roast while I took Henry for a walk after work.

While we were walking around the farm I decided to harvest some cilantro since it is finally big enough! I figured I could make some sort of pesto out of it to place on the chicken.

And just as Henry and I were making our way back home with a bunch of cilantro in hand, I noticed something bright red coming from the strawberry patch!

Yep, that’s right folks strawberry season is finally here!!!

It is still a bit early, but I spent some time and found the most ripe strawberries I could (shhhhh, don’t tell my coworkers!) I couldn’t wait to get home and eat them.

After eating some fresh strawberries from the patch I decided to throw the rest into a salad.  However, with chicken and potatoes roasting in the oven and fresh cilantro pesto being pulsed in the cuisinart I decide to throw everything together in a giant bowl and call it an evening.

The result was amazing!

The highlight was the fresh strawberries and cilantro.  To die for!

The cilantro pesto was easy.

1 bunch fresh cilantro

juice of one lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

handful of toasted walnuts

salt and pepper to taste

Dash of water if mixture is too thick

Combine everything in a food processor.  Process until desired consistency adding water or oil as needed.  Season to taste as you like.

Enjoy your evening everyone!



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0 thoughts on “leaving on a jet plane…

  1. grandma says:

    I love your adventuress spirit!! The best things come from inspiration without too much planning…at least in my book. Hope you remember this one, so often I forget my inspirations long term. If you sit next to me on your next flight, I will happily hold your hand….if you hold mine!!!!
    We can then talk about the contents of our fridges/freezers………………..if I remember what’s in there. Gotta go look!!!
    PS….Henry, would you like to meet Hannah???? She’s blonde, short and noisy.

    1. drealieberg says:

      I hope I sit next to you on my next flight! And yes, Henry is always looking for a new girlfriend!

  2. Gary is also terrified of flying and needs to hit the bar for a few beers before he boards the plane. Then he’s quiet the entire flight. I think it’s awesome that you hold your neighbors hand! I will also happily hold your hand if we happen to sit next to each other! Are you off the the west coast?
    have a safe flight and I’ll talk to you soon 🙂
    xo

    1. drealieberg says:

      I am definitely hitting the bar before I board! A few beers and I should be good to go. Thanks for the tip!

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