Post-Holiday Stress Disorder

I have been quite the blog slacker.  What with the shopping, baking, wrapping, traveling and party going that makes up November-December, not to mention my paid work cooking for other people, I have been swamped.  I'll try to do better.

I've written many posts in my head.  A lot of good that does you, right?

Anyway...over the winter holidays we traveled to visit family which meant many restaurant meals and many parties.  Here's the thing about parties, the potluck kind at least.  'Tis the season to pull out your most decadent, ooey, gooey recipes.  Everyone makes that over-the-top, calorie-laden, delicious offering that usually contains butter, sugar or cheese as a main ingredient.  No one is bringing a light vegetable salad to the family party, at least not in my family.

By the time we returned home, all my husband and I wanted was a big plate of vegetables.  Our first meal at home was lunch and this perfectly fit the bill.  This was our entire lunch.  It was delicious.  We were on the road to recovery.  If you need a detox, I highly recommend this.

 

Steamed Asparagus with Mustard Vinaigrette

Serves 1-2 

 

1 bunch of asparagus, lower stems trimmed or peeled

1 hardboiled egg

2 teaspoons finely minced shallot

2t Champagne or white wine vinegar

1t Dijon mustard

4T extra virgin olive oil

pinch of sugar

pinch of salt & pepper

Steam asparagus until tender but NOT mushy, it should still have a "bite".  Mix shallots, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt & pepper together.  Add olive oil then whisk until emulsified.  Drizzle over asparagus.  Cut hard-boiled egg in half and press through a strainer or potato masher so egg is crumbled over asparagus.  Add a crank of fresh ground pepper.