Monday, May 31, 2010

Flowering Kale & Garlic Scape Stir Fry ... a Bit of Gossip ... and my 99th Post


 

I know, I know. The 99th post is not a generally accepted blogging milestone worthy of fireworks and giveaways. I have two points to offer in my defense. First, I am very bad at math and somehow I got it into my head that this was in fact my 100th post. But then I added it all up again just before I started writing it and it turns out ... not so much.  

Secondly, I had a fabulous idea for my 100th post all set, but then it didn't work out, and as it turns out it wouldn't have worked no matter what. But I get ahead of myself. It's like this: I recently landed a gig as the online food and drink editor for a local publication - hooray! As part of my job, I have the *clears throat* exhausting job of going to events and tasting things and eating free dinners and sipping free drinks  from time to time.  Serendipitously (or so I thought)  the Anthony Bourdain/Eric Ripert show was coming to town and it hit me: Aha! I will take something - an apron, say - and have them sign it, and give it away for my 100th post.  Pretty cool, huh?

Well. Did I mention that I just got this job? Too late, apparently, to be able to snag two press tickets to the event. Sigh. But before you despair of the incredible giveaway that might-have-been, let me console you with this: I heard it through the grapevine that Bourdain's entourage formed an impenetrable wall around him, and no one could get close. Ripert, meanwhile, though engaging and polite enough, performed an eat-and-run disappearing act after the show.  Although this scheme didn't work out, rest assured I'm hard at work thinking of something for my blogoversary in July! 

Meanwhile,  I give you a stir fry. Though really there's nothing heavy and "fry-ish" about it. And it's more a method than a recipe; a perfect way to use whatever healthy veg is in season. All you have to do is remember to keep a variety of textures and colors in the dish, and it will turn out beautifully.

I used flowering kale - a purple, cabbage-y variety of kale - regular purple kale, and garlic scapes.  I simply sauteed then in peanut oil until the kale wilted and the scapes were crunchy and bright, and then set this aside. Meanwhile, I cooked day-old jasmine rice (I read somewhere that it's important the rice is a day old so it doesn't get sticky) in a combo of  sesame and peanut oil, soy sauce, a bit - not too much! - of oyster sauce, and white pepper. I simultaneously scrambled 3 eggs in another  skillet, and broke them up into chunks, folding them into the rice. I added the vegetables back in to the rice/egg mixture, tossed it all together, garnished it with some green onions, and I had a healthy and light weeknight meal.

The perfect dish to celebrate a 99th post, yes? 




Flowering Kale & Garlic Scape Stir Fry on Foodista





34 comments:

  1. This is the perfect dish for the your 99th post. Colorful and stunning in its simplicity. It's true, day old rice works best for any rendition of fried rice, it keeps from sticking to pot and turning into a doughy mess. This is a nutritious and delightful vegetarian meal.

    Congratulations on your new gig! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

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  2. congrats on your gig! The recipe as per usual looks fresh and dee lish ish.

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  3. Happy 99th post! Perfect colorful and delicious job for it. And HURRAY for the job!

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  4. WOW - congrats on your new gig! Can't wait to read more! And I love this dish - so worthy of a 99th blog post!

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  5. I have never seen such beautiful pretty cabbage cooked like this. I know I would love it, so pretty to serve to guests as well. I was wonderfing where you have been Congrats on this new job, this sounds perfect for you so happy for you!!!! I love the idea of having to hear more about this new adventure you will have to catch me up....Can't wait for post 100....all the best of luck and everything and anything you do will be fabulous anyway...your talent superceeds any other in creativity and imagination love every thing you post.....looking forward to whats in store....xxxooo Claudia

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  6. Wow Wow Wow! Congrats! :) Yes this is totally something to celebrate so bring on the fireworks! :) So happy for you! Dream job...ahh! x

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  7. What an exhausting job of having to events and eat free food. I feel for you:)

    Enjoy! I look forward to hearing the details.

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  8. Congrats my dear! You're gonna totally rawk, I just know it! Don't forget us plebians when you're rubbing shoulders with the royalty of the food circle. ;) Love what you cooked, love how you presented it. A summer garden in a bowl, that's what it is! :)

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  9. Congratulations on your new job. Best of luck and great success. I will only say this on my way out...In my humble opinion, that is a gorgeously presented and quite sophisticated dish.

    Cheers!

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  10. Oooh! I didn't know that purple beauty was called flowering kale! It is growing like it's going out of style in my garden, but now that I know that it looks so pretty in a stir fry its days may be numbered...

    Congrats on everything! And don't stress the chef-lebrities...soon people will be trying to get your autograph!

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  11. I just love the colours of this dish. Great new job - Congras! Love Anthony. Totally envious now. Send a signed apron to Melbourne please.

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  12. Yeah!!!! Paid to write about food? Not too shabby, lady! I hope you enjoy all the foodie events down there... let us know the online link so we can read you????!!! Your kale dish is beautiful.. looks like ikebana. Congratulations, Trix.

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  13. Congratulations on your new gig; sounds like it could be a lot of fun! Also I love the little tips, day-old rice is better you say? and that purple kale looks positively psychedelic (youre too young to relate, but trust me they used these colors in the sixties!)
    Ciao! Joumana

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  14. Congrats! What a fun job! Kale is a favorite food in this house. I'll have to give this a try. Sounds wonderful.

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  15. I love this! I need to find me some pretty colored kale! I wasn't planning on making the trek to the Greenmarket at Union Square today but me thinks you've inspired me!

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  16. Congrats on the new gig and the 99th post! And I love how pretty this dish is!

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  17. That job sounds quite exciting despite the meetings, but the good thing is that you'll meet lots of interesting people! Lovely dish, you know how I love colors, so this one is a winner to me!

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  18. Congrats on your new job~99th post~ and for scoring garlic scapes! Wonderful news all around.

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  19. Simply gorgeous, yummy delicious and so beautiful! Huge congrats on your new job, so fit for you. Cant wait t hear more!!

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  20. CONGRATS on your 99th - and your new venture, that's really exciting, the free stuff and as you mentioned last week the booze too........lucky dog.....nice stir fry by the way, (needs a little bacon - teeheee)

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  21. I'm going to be honest and say: I am jealous! What a cool gig, girl! That whole skinny on the chefs is enough to make me want to laugh my head off--what is it with these people that would cause them to need "people" to block them from the likes of say, someone like you, I wonder????
    Very yummy recipe! Scapes. They grow like weeds here. Not kidding. BTW, we both have a blogoversary in July! I will be one years old, too! I haven't yet begun to think about it though. . . hmmmm.

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  22. Beautifully presented dish! Congrats on your new position. Look forward to hearing more about it...sounds like it's gonna be a lot of fun!

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  23. nice job on the new job! Your kale and scapes look delicious!

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  24. Congrats for your new job! Exciting days ahead :D This dish looks healthy and perfect for your 99th post.

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  25. Wishing you all the best on your new job ! This dish is healthy and delicious :)

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  26. Congratulations on you new job and the 99th post! What an awesome experience that will be... I have a bunch of Asian friends that say you must have the rice be a day old. The trouble is I rarely have leftovers... rats!

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  27. Congrats on the 99th post and the new job, how exciting! The stir fry with kale and garlic scapes sounds terrific!

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  28. I have never seen flowering kale before. It's so pretty! Your new job sounds fantastic!

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  29. congrats on your new gig - that's awesome! 99 posts is still an important milestone, especially with all your wonderful recipes, so congrats on that as well! :)

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  30. Congrats on the new gig - an enviable job *sigh* and uh, your 99th post! I love this dish and wish I could get my hands on some of that purple kale. It's just stunning!

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  31. Happy 99th post! I think it's a great number to celebrate! Congrats on your new job, I can't wait to read more about it. It seems SO interesting and exciting!

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  32. Okay, so cutest blog post, ever.

    Probably the coolest 99th post to date.


    You're such a cutie. Congrats on the pending 100th. I enjoy your blog so much :-)

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  33. Woo, well done on the new gig! You'll be rubbing shoulders with Bourdain before you know it. Happy 99th post too. Celebrating your 100th post is so obvious, you know? ;)

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