Monday, August 23, 2010

The Beauty of Friendship


Oh, the beauty of friendship.

I just went on the most fabulous trip to North Carolina with fellow MLK authors Krista Davis, Riley Adams, and another pal Ellery Adams. We became such sweet friends...talking about mystery, writing, family.


I wanted to share a little tidbit of our trip. We were hosted by the fabulous Molly
Weston. Check out her blog: Meritorious Mysteries.

On Saturday between events at the Apex Library and the Page-Walker Arts and History Center , Molly, like the perfect hostess, invited us to her home. She didn't prepare a lavish meal. She didn't have to. She served a cheese platter (my favorite, as you know), and a delightful salad, all of which we could put together as we wished. Perfect.We were hungry, but not starved, and the two made a delicious dinner.
Thank you, Molly.

[Photo to right is Molly with Riley at Barnes and Noble.]

On to food!

There's nothing better than a beautiful salad to whet my appetite. An appetizer portion is so much fun, and putting one together might just satisfy the artist in you. And a wedge of blue cheese, a voila, it can taste extraordinary!

ARTICHOKE AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Ingredients:


{Serves 4}

4 small artichokes, boiled to tender, halved

4 mushrooms, sliced

4 ounces blue cheese

8 slices cucumber

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

8 slices radicchio

4 green onions, tails shredded


Directions:


Remove crusty leaves from artichokes and snip off the bottom.


Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Drop in the small artichokes. Boil for about 5-10 minutes. Prick with a fork. If fork slides out easily, they’re done. Rinse and slice.


Next, heat the olive oil in a sauce pan. Saute the artichokes and the sliced mushrooms until browned but still firm.


Arrange plates with pieces of raddichio. Rest the artichokes on the raddichio. Arrange the plate with mushrooms, cucumbers, and green onions. Dot the artichokes with blue cheese, and add a wedge to each plate.


Serve with a saucy Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy!


By the way...


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10 comments:

  1. What a great fun trip!

    Can not beat a cheese plate!

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  2. What fun! I love all of the tour info and the pics. And I do love a good cheese plate!

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  3. Fabulous pics and great stories from your trip. I love Molly Weston. She's great. I noticed Karen Kiley there too! Isn't she wonderful?

    I do enjoy salads and this one looks like a winner, Avery! Artichokes are one of my favorites. Bleu cheese and mushrooms, too!

    Julie

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  4. Karen is delightful, Julie. She absolutely adored having the group at the museum.
    ~Avery

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  5. Glad to have you back from your tour, Avery. Your photos are just wonderful. I've been enjoying them here and on your Facebook page, too.

    The care and feeding of authors is clearly Molly Weston's specialty, and it sounds as though she took very good care of you, Riley, Krista, and Ellery. :) I also love Molly's blog -- Meritorious Mysteries. It's a great blog to follow for the latest buzz on mystery authors and new releases.

    Your recipe today looks delicious. I'm with Julie - fresh artichokes are a real treat, and I love that you paired them with blue cheese. Wish I had that plate right now for a perfect, light summer lunch. :)

    Have a great Monday...
    ~ Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Coffee Drawing Today LIVE at 7 PM (Eastern)
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  6. Oh how I wish you had a trip planned for Michigan!! I would welcome all of you here for a Fall picnic. This sounds like a delightful plate...we all love blue cheese and artichokes at our home. Thanks for the reminder of how ell they go together!
    Nanc

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  7. Nanc, I hear Michigan is gorgeous at this time of year!
    ~Avery

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  8. Artichoke and blue cheese...what could be better! And it was such a treat spending time with you and Krista and making new friends like Molly!

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