The Hillary I love is back! After the Philly debate there's no denying that Hillary is street smart and full of ginger. She's more than a politico kung fu fighter, more than a savvy, well-spoken senator, after the Philly debate she's presidential. She looked presidential. She sounded presidential. She even smelled presidential and I was on the opposite coast in California. That's how powerfully she delivered. She spoke of unifying the nation, of building an economy that lifts up everyone, and of having a Democrat reclaim the White House no matter what the cost. That's spending I can get behind.
Weeks of whiskey shots and pistol yarns had left me exhausted. I was ready to call it for her, like a ref putting a battered welter-weight out of his misery. I couldn't take one more tale of how Barack had out-raised her, out-polled her, out-everythinged her. The American electorate better recognize: Hillary ain't going out like that. Wednesday in Philadelphia Hillary came up swinging. This Black and Bleu salad I've created in her honor pairs thinly sliced beef (think Philly Steak Sandwiches) with a powerful one-two punch of bleu cheese. This is a serious salad loaded with stamina and flavor.
This salad might be simple, it might even seem not so out-of-the-ordinary..but consider this: a recipe made in the kitchen, where even in our evolved, advanced Western society, women still do 85% of the cooking, a salad made to honor a woman who might actually be the first female President of the United Sates, a country where no less than 100 years ago women had to take to the streets and fight for their rights to have a voice in the democracy. And tonight, Hillary Clinton debated in the historic city of Philadelphia. This truly is a defining moment in history. I salute Hillary Clinton. A woman who has had a singular focus, to serve in the political arena, for most of her life.
Hillary's Black and Bleu Salad
One large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups of peppery greens, such as Arugula
8z. black pepper encrusted Filet Mignon, grilled medium rare and sliced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
cherry tomatoes, halved
4 oz. of bleu cheese, crumbled
Grill the Filet and set aside to rest.
In a large bowl toss the Romaine and Arugula together. Add enough dressing to lightly coat the greens. Arrange the salad on a serving platter. Slice the Filet and arrange on the greens, sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese and chopped nuts over the salad. Garnish with sliced cherry tomatoes. Serve with herb & sea-salt croutons.
Bleu Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup crumbled bleu cheese
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey
dash of cayenne pepper
dash of fresh cracked black pepper
Puree all ingredients together in a food processor, chill for 1-2 hours.
Herb & Sea Salt Croutons
1 baguette
Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon sea salt,such as Maldon
Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Blend dried herbs together with sea salt, set aside.
Slice a baguette very thinly. Arrange slices on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle herb and salt mixture over.
Toast in over until golden, about 8-10 minutes or longer depending on thickness of croutons.
Serve Hillary's Black and Bleu Salad as a main course luncheon or dinner entree. I find this salad perfect for days when I need to shake off the blues and regain a sense of optimism. There's only one musical pairing to consider: The Rolling Stones album of the same name, the 1976 release "Black and Blue."