Dear California,
I know you hear this from an awful lot of girls (and boys), but I have to say it anyway. I am in love with you. But, California, before you dismiss me as just another of your millions of admirers or, worse yet. one of those interloping social climbers, please hear me out.
While many are seduced by your Hollywood glamour or your Silicon Valley connections, don’t worry, California, I know that’s not what makes you tick. I am rather attracted to your curves and those sheer… cliffs you’ve got going on but how can you blame me? I’m only human? You sure have a fabulous way with food and wine, and these things I definitely find appealing.
There are certain things that drive me wild, California, like when you seem to spring into your full bloom while everyone else is still half asleep. How you’re simply radiant and glowing and every hill, mountain, stream, and tiny flower reflects that brilliant glow. How when you’re grey and misty, that misty fog seems expansive and enveloping all at once.
I love that in all the years I’ve known you, I still haven’t gotten to know you all the way. I’ve seen your highest peaks and your lowest valleys (take this as you will), but I have so much more to explore. Others have given up on you, California, saying it’s too hard to be with you. There’s no denying, you’re one expensive love affair to maintain, but I am still here. Sure, I left once, for a year and half, but all it did was strengthen my love for you.
California, you’ve made your way into my heart and soul. You’ve seeped into my brain, and you’ve affected my very belief system.
- I believe that almost anything can be cured by a walk on the beach. If that doesn’t work, try the redwoods. If that still doesn’t work, you might need a few days in the desert.
- I believe in long drives with no particular destination in mind.
- I believe in salads for dinner- preferably eaten outdoors.
- I believe that yoga is real exercise (do 50 sun salutations then tell me otherwise)
- I believe more picnics=better life.
- I believe that people should not have to choose between dogs and cats; we can all live peacefully together.
- I believe in peace and in karma and laughter and love and California.
Salade Lyonaisse, California Style
This salad is a play on my favorite salad in the world, the Salade Lyonaisse which is made with frisée lettuce, poached eggs, lardons, and bacon fat dressing. Here’s a little California spin on it.
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INGREDIENTS SALADE LYONNAISE CALIFORNIA STYLE
- 6 Cups wild arugula
- 2 slices of organic bacon, cooked and chopped into ¼ inch slices
- 8 organic radishes, very thinly sliced (I used golden radishes)
- 2 cloves of garlic very finely chopped
- 2 pasture-raised eggs
- 6 inch section of bakery quality or homemade gluten free bread, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons very finely chopped shallots
- sea salt and pepper to taste
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INSTRUCTIONS SALADE LYONNAISE CALIFORNIA STYLE
- In a large bowl, toss baguette chunks with grapeseed oil, the chopped garlic until well-coated. Add a pinch of sea salt and toss to coat.
- Make the vinaigrette, mix vinegar mustard a pinch of salt and a half teaspoon of pepper until fully combined. Add the shallot and olive oil and whisk again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large heavy skillet over medium high heat, fry the bread cubes until they are crispy and golden brown on all sides. Do not crowd the pan, work in batches if you must.
- After the croutons are made, fry the eggs in a bit of butter or oil- over medium low heat. I like them over easy. You must have a runny yolk for this salad! Trust me.
- Toss the greens and radishes with the dressing and place in individual bowls, top with ½ of the bacon, some croutons, and one egg each. To eat, immediately break the yolk and allow it to run into the salad. The richness of the egg yolk with the sourness of the dressing and the salty bacon is a perfect match! Kind of like California and me.
beautiful Post sweetheart. I don't think i could call anywhere but CA my home… lots of beautiful places on this planet but this is home by all my means 🙂 Love this salad and I think salad should be eaten for dinner as well who ever disagrees has never had an amazing salad like this one!
Thanks Love. I just adore California, sure I think about how much easier it could be if I went somewhere less expensive where I could have a big house with a wrap around porch, but those thoughts quickly turn to the crazy citizenry and governments of places that favor wrap around porches and such- Not, of course, disparaging everyone in wrap-around porch land. I have met amazing people in my travels, but one has to admit, a California girl could get nervous at some of the laws and law enforcement strategies elected in such places.
I left california to live in North Carolina. I love the latter but you are right — it's very difficult here sometimes especially now when our citizenry is getting ready to pass an amendment to the constitution that will ban gay marriage and hurt the outlook on being able to receive benefits in a domestic partnership. That they are doing this without the support of a multitude of corporations who make their corporate homes here says it all.
I miss California. The food is great here — local and organic — and the porches are, indeed, wrap around. Most of the people are, believe it or not, pretty progressive. But the bible minority is so awfully loud.
That settles it. I need to see more of the west coast.
Well, be sure and make time for lunch with me!
I'm pretty in love with California, too. I moved away for eight years (what was I thinking!) and this week I celebrate my year anniversary of returning home. Your pictures are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your loves (and this great salad).
Thank you, Laura. Welcome home. Sometimes it takes being away to realize how much you love a place.
Beautiful post – everyting – words and pictures.
I too, love California.
Thank you so much, Rachel, for your kind words. Ah, California, it's a good place to be.
I love where I live, but you just made me really homesick for California. *sigh*
Suzzzz where are you from in California, and where are you now?
I find myself returning to this post over and over, just completely absorbed in these pictures. Absolutely breathtaking. I think my favorite is the craggy rocks overlooking that unbelievably verdant pasture… just surreal. Like something out of a dream.
And although I don't eat bacon any more, I am a sucker for an egg yolk gooing all over a dish. This salad looks warm and comforting and just a touch exotic, just like California
Having lived in Northern CA for years myself and having grown up with Grandparents sharing time between San Franscisco and Monterey, as well as some in Oakland, I've had a life long relationship with the Golden State. When my Grandmother in Carmel Valley passed a few years ago I was walking on the beach struck that my last familiar tie with that area had been severed. It was an unnerving feeling as I had a relationship with CA, it was not merely a place I'd lived and visited. I love your letter and 'can relate'. Your blog looks spectacular. It lovingly showcases your work my friend.
What a beautiful post! I'm a writer and couldn't have said it better myself. I lived in California for 8 years.
I stumbled onto your blog a couple of days ago when searching for a cake recipe. In an ironic twist, I was just in Sonoma County for the first time last week. I stayed in Glen Ellen and attended the Chet's boot camp at the Culinary institute of America.
I can't think of a more bountiful source of literary or culinary inspiration than Sonoma/Napa County. I look forward t trying some of your recipes!
Hi Jamie,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I love Sonoma County so much, that we actually moved here. If you\’re ever in the area again, please let me know, perhaps we can share a glass of wine and talk about writing and such.
I\’d love to hear more about your thoughts on the bootcamp. It looks fantastic!
Best
Sabrina