settling

moving in means eating out for the first few days, and then we begin to take those first tentative steps and break in the kitchen with first one, then another meal, simple things at first.

One of the very few things I refused to throw out when we left Santa Barbara (and instead, packed on ice in our tiny cooler to travel with us) was a jar of preserved lemons. Those babies aren't cheap, and we'd used all of 1 tsp, chopped, of one. We had a bit of olive tapenade hanging about, so I decided to play a bit in the kitchen, to come up with something to pair with artichokes. The result was so good I want to record it here for you to try - or at least for myself to remember later.

We have here a delightful simple second meal, dishes placed on a new cutting board and balanced over an open (and not yet unpacked) box. Cushions that had been couch cushions have been demoted to the floor, and the cat (who is settling in nicely) takes a bath behind. Oh, and see that yellow bit next to her? I'm learning to knit (again).

Globe artichokes from Trader Joe's, steamed. 1 Tbl butter, melted, each (in ramekins). Finally, a simple rice pilaf: while cooking jasmine rice (1 c. rice, 2 c. water), I added approx 1/3 c. chopped (not too fine) preserved lemon, and about 2 big heaping Tbl black olive tapenade (also Trader Joe's). After the rice had cooked, we fluffed it with a fork and added salt, pepper, perhaps 1 Tbl. olive oil and approx 1/2 c. loosely packed fresh basil leaves, which I had roughly shredded. Stir once more to mix everything together.

voila! Enjoy in your new (or old) home, cardboard boxes optional. =)