Diversionary tactics
Don't be disturbed by the
photograph. It is only a diversion. In fact,
I actually posted it a couple of weeks ago
and then removed the post. I had nothing to
say and the photograph wasn't adding to the
conversation. Today it appears as filler, a
little piece of San Francisco scenery. Or
maybe it works as metaphor, too, though as a
metaphor for what you'll have to be the
judge.
Last night I was walking home from my food
writing class, feeling energized and full of
something (beans? ideas? hope for the
future?) when I realized that I have a
commitment problem. I've been circling
working life for almost five years now,
keeping decisions on hold, tossing words into
the air. I fumbled into my first career,
became a librarian almost by default, then
stumbled when making what felt like a
deliberate move into the world of cooking.
And I've been floating with the current ever
since.
I have to commit or I'll keep on writing 450
- 800 word posts here forever and ever. It's
not a bad gig, though the pay is lousy. I
love interacting with my blogging friends.
But I need something more substantial. A
career.
Do you know what I mean?
For your trouble, your time, maybe as a
reward for leaving a comment, here's a
recipe. Consider it another diversionary
tactic or maybe just some picnic food for
your next visit to Fort
Funston, the hang gliding
mecca.
Herbed
feta and tapenade sandwiches
Briny tapenade and thyme-spiked feta punch up
the flavor of this Mediterranean sandwich. A
couple of simple tricks -- adding a
sprinkling of herbs and olive oil to a
supermarket cheese, roughly chopping a
handful of olives with a touch of garlic –
give it an effortless homemade touch. Bring
extra bread along to sop up red pepper juices
and the occasional escapee feta tidbit.
Makes 2 sandwiches
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and roughly
chopped
1 small clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced (can
substitute 1 teaspoon dried)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
pinch freshly ground black pepper
4 slices country bread
1 small cucumber, peeled and thickly sliced
1 large red pepper, roasted, seeded, and
quartered
Stir together kalamata olives, garlic, and
mayonnaise in a small bowl. Lightly toss
feta, thyme, olive oil, and black pepper in
another small bowl. Slather each slice of
bread with a generous amount of tapenade and
layer the feta, cucumber, and red pepper on
two of the slices. Top each sandwich with the
remaining bread, slice in half, and serve.
Image: Hang
gliders at Fort Funston, Memorial Day 2009.
Photo by "Mr. Trinkle."