We’re still on vacation, and on our last night in Lyon we tool a wonderful cooking class; our chef-host had a beautiful fig tree in the back yard, and we ate fresh figs right from the tree! Although I prepared this post well before we left, I thought it appropriate to post before I return. I do hope you’re all doing well, know that You know that I miss reading about what you’re cooking and that I’ll be back next week with lots of stories!!
One of our dear friends brought us a package of fresh, beautiful figs as a hostess gift (I love my friends!). Coincidentally I had taken out a portion of goats cheese from the deep freeze, so this salad was literally staring me in the face. A quick weeknight meal. There are no directions or quantities, do what your heart dictates, you can even throw in some crispy prosciutto or don’t make it crispy. It’s simple and wonderful. I sautéed the onions until they were soft and then I poured in about 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and cooked it down until it was the consistency of syrup. You can use this to dress the salad…it doesn’t need much.
My salad has fresh figs, quartered, toasted sliced almonds, goats cheese, caramelized onion, balsamic dressing, arugula (rocket) and spinach.
Fresh Figs, Goats Cheese, Caramelized Onion and Walnuts on Arugula and Spinach
I’m posting this from our little apartment in Paris in the Le Marais … Correction: Montmatre district. Here is a little peak. Cheers!
That is a lovely plate of salad! Looks so good! Are you cooking while on vacation? It can be fun, isn’t it? 🙂 Hope you are enjoying the rest of your vacation!
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Such a nice place to call home, even if temporarily. It is nice enough to be comfortable but not to nice that you’d be tempted to stay in. Not when Paris is waiting outside your door!
Your salad is perfect! Really. Goat cheese and fresh figs go so well together.
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Thanks John, it’s a great apartment! I had great ideas to cook a meal or two but frankly I just couldn’t do it, I didn’t want to miss a delicious meal out! And they have been delicious! And the wine…need I say more? I’ll post about the details soon.
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Enjoy your visit with Charles Eva! I’m so excited for you. Please give him a big hug for me. Your apartment looks fabulous. I hope you two are enjoying yourselves. I can’t wait to hear about all the stories and see your pictures. Your salad looks divine. I know I would really love it. The flavors go so well together and would be a total taste sensation. 🙂
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Thanks so much Kristy, we’re really excited about meeting Charles too. Paris weather has been tremendously rainy and by that I mean torrential downpour! And then warmish and sunny. Fortunately the French adore sitting outside so they have their patios heated! We’ve been eating and drinking like kings and queens!
I’ll post about it when I return.
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Lovely looking salad Eva – I had my first fresh figs of the year yesterday (yeah, a bit late I know!). I thought you were staying near Montmartre for some reason. The marais is even better. Some parts of it are so quiet… almost village-like and very central!
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Sorry my info was wrong, it is Montmatre! See you soon!
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I think that you pretty much know that prosciutto would be going on mine. 🙂
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Yah, if JT had been around, it would have been on our’s too!
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It sounds so peaceful and relaxing. I am glad you are enjoying your time so much. The salad looks amazing too!
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Thanks!
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Hope you have a good return trip Eva. The salad looks amazing.
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I’m so glad to hear the holiday’s going well, Eva. What a great little apartment in Paris. I do hope the weather has warmed up for you. And your fig salad looks so delicious. Enjoy your last few days xx
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My fig tree is no longer producing so will have to save this recipe for next year. Nice apartment. Are you really cooking during your vacation? Looking forward to reading about the places and foods when you return home. Keep up the good time.
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I just saw this comment reply, Norma, sorry it’s so late. No, I didn’t cook on my holidays, I had the intention but sadly the kitchens are not stocked and even a simple dish would mean a healthy investment that I couldn’t bring with me. Maybe when we retire in the South of France, one day….
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What a relaxing and comfortable sounding vacation my friend, keep having fun with it 😀
Your dish looks gorgeous!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I can totally see myself ordering/eating this salad in a restaurant as it has none of my no-nos. I’d have to do a lot of pre-preparing at home to pull something like it at home though.
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This is one gorgeous salad, Eva. Continue enjoying your vacation!
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Thanks Angie.
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Hope you’ve been having fun cooking in that gorgeous kitchen in Paris! Can’t wait to hear more when you are back. Have fun on Friday night . . . looking forward to the pics!
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We have a wonderful dinner planned to share with you and Kevin! Other than the gloomy, weather we’re having a great time.
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Oohhhhhhhhhhhhh, I’m so excited!!!! Can’t wait for the dinner Eva. I thought that you were having summer-like weather… guess that was just Spain? Glad that you missed the protests in Spain, although I’m not sure where they were being held . . .
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We were there in Spain for the protest! In fact, we walked right through them! They are trying to separate, go figure.
Paris has rain right now, tonnes of it :(. But we have our umbrellas and our (new) walking shoes and we’re good to go.
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You know I like figs, Eva, and arugula. Onions, not so much, but I would add the prosciutto. Glad you are having a good time.
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To each your own taste, Sharyn, that’s why our world is so wonderful we can enjoy our differences!
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