R E C I P E S : Salads
IMBB #15: Riesling Fruit Salad!
May 22, 2005
EXT. VALLEY HOUSE--LARGE BACKYARD--LATE AFTERNOON
Matt is hosting a rousing barbecue of LA's young and swanky crowd. PARTY GUESTS mingle by the barbecue pit that has been dug in one corner of the yard. Caryn and Winnie hang out near a table of salads, taking in the scene. Given the recent heat wave, they are appropriately dressed in cool linen.
Matt leads a tall, gorgeous BLOND WOMAN over to Caryn and Winnie. Her sparkling blouse and high heels might be better suited for cocktail hour, but she wears it well.
MATT
Caryn, Winnie. This is Lisa.
The ladies exchange greetings as Lisa scoots other plates aside to put down her colorful pasta salad.
CARYN
That looks very tasty, Lisa.
LISA
Thanks. I actually can't eat it, though. I'm a carb-free vegan.
Caryn and Winnie share a look.
MATT
Caryn, what did you bring?
She points to her molded fruit salad, where peaches and pears glisten under a pale gold gelatin.
CARYN
It has a late-harvest riesling in it.
LISA
Ohhh, a jello salad. I liked those when I was a kid. How cute.
Caryn's eyes narrow as she opens her mouth to respond, but Matt jumps in.
MATT
You must be thirsty, Lisa. Let's go get a drink.
Lisa nods and heads towards the beverage table. Matt whispers back toward Caryn and Winnie.
MATT (CONT'D)
Hot day, huh?
He winks just as he is enveloped in a small crowd.
WINNIE
A carb-free vegan? What the heck does she eat?
Vic sneaks up behind Winnie.
VIC
Who are you two critiquing now?
Winnie links her arm into her fiance's.
WINNIE
Are y'all ready to go? I'm tired already.
CARYN
Yeah, I have an early flight tomorrow.
Winnie pretends to pout at the thought. By the drinks, Matt leans in to whisper something into Lisa's ear, causing her to break out in a high-pitched squeal of a laugh.
CARYN (CONT'D)
I don't think we need to say goodbye. Let's go.
EXT. FREEWAY--NEXT MORNING
A stretch limosine idles in the left lane of a jam-packed freeway that simply does not move.
INT. LIMO
Caryn and Mr. R. sit quietly on opposite ends of the plush car. She hugs her bag to her chest and watches traffic creep by as Mr. R. reads a book. After a moment, he sighs and snaps the book closed to examine the traffic situation.
MR. R.
I won't miss this.
CARYN
I think we all need a little break from this city.
The traffic starts to pick up for no apparent reason and in little time they are breezing down the freeway, finally on their way...
Riesling Fruit Salad
2 small peaches, peeled and sliced
1 pear, peeled and sliced
2 apricots, sliced
1/2 pint raspberries
1/2 pint blueberries
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
2 TB. sugar
3 cups white grape juice
2 cups riesling, preferrably late harvest**
1. In small saucepan, sprinkle gealtin over 1 cup grape juice. Let stand 2-3 minutes. Stir in sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often until granules are completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour into a large bowl. Add remaining grape juice and wine.
2. Place bowl over a larger bowl half-filled with ice water. Let stand about 20 minutes or until gelatin starts to thicken, stirring occasionally. Whisk gelatin to form bubbles throughout. Stir in fruit. Remove from ice bath and pour into 8-10 cup mold. Refrigerate at least 8 hours until firm.
3. Place a plate upside down on top of mold. Invert onto plate. If gelatin does not release, dip mold up to rim in warm water for 5 seconds before inverting.
Serves 12.
**Sparkling grape juice can be substituted for a non-alcoholic version.
Posted by Caryn at 06:15 AM | This Entry Only | Recipe Only | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Chop, Chop: Chopped Salad!
April 25, 2005
INT. MR. R.'S MANSION--KITCHEN--EARLY AFTERNOON
Caryn digs deep into the fridge and pulls out several tupperware containers from the back. She examines the contents skeptically. Lauren enters and tosses some papers on the counter.
LAUREN
Here. I need you to fill these out so we can add you to the movie's payroll.
Caryn grabs a few more items from the fridge. She closes the door with her foot.
CARYN
Is production starting soon?
LAUREN
Well, yes. But he won't be needed for a couple more weeks.
Caryn unloads her arms by a cutting board.
CARYN
So I won't be needed for a couple more weeks either?
Lauren licks her teeth under her lips as she eyes Caryn.
LAUREN
Right. Something like that.
Caryn empties the contents of the tupperware on the cutting board. She begins chopping a pile of vegetables with her chef's knife.
LAUREN (CONT'D)
You know, there's not much to do on a movie set. You'll probably get bored after the first week.
Caryn shrugs her shoulders as her knife settles into a steady rhythm.
LAUREN (CONT'D)
I feel badly that he's dragging you into this. Someone with your talents probably has much bigger aspirations than cooking from the kitchen of a trailer.
CARYN
I'm sure I'll be okay.
Caryn starts hacking away at a carrot. Lauren looks down the bridge of her nose at the bits of vegetables.
LAUREN
Suit yourself. But you better hurry up with that. He's been asking for his lunch for half an hour.
The sound of the knife stops abruptly as Lauren walks out. Caryn pops a piece of carrot in her mouth and resumes chopping.
CARYN
Always nice chatting with you.
Vary this salad by including or substituting any number of ingredients: corn, blanched green beans, sweet peas, grilled chicken, avocado, fresh basil, fresh dill, green onion, fresh spinach, iceberg lettuce, red or yellow peppers. It's also nice with a seasoned vinaigrette.
2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 cup hearts of palm, finely chopped
1/2 cup garbanzo beans, finely chopped
1/2 cup water chestnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup baby corn, finely chopped
4 cups baby greens, finely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toss all ingredients in large bowl with enough dressing to lightly coat vegetables.
Serves 2 large salads or 4 side salads.
Buttermilk Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 TB. sour cream
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
1-1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
1/4 cup buttermilk
Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream and spices until smooth. Stir in buttermilk until desired consistency is reached.
Posted by Caryn at 05:21 PM | This Entry Only | Recipe Only | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Sweet Sesame: Asian Vinaigrette!
March 14, 2005
INT. MR. R'S MANSION--KITCHEN--DAY
Caryn and Flora are trimming and washing a bed of fresh, spring greens over the sink when the door swings open and MISS A., a stunningly beautiful actress in a white, flowing sundress, prances in.
MISS A.
Oh, fabulous! I'm famished.
Flora can't help staring.
CARYN
Um, can I help you?
MISS A.
He said I'd find you here. What are you making?
CARYN
He's here? He's back from--
She is cut off by the door swinging open again. Mr. R enters, visibly tired from his travel, but smiling warmly at Miss A. He nods to Caryn without taking his eyes off of Miss A.
MR. R.
Caryn, I see you've met my houseguest.
MISS A.
She was just helping me find lunch.
Caryn puts down the greens and wipes her hands dry.
CARYN
Would you like a salad?
MISS A.
Brilliant. Just some lettuce.
CARYN
Just greens?
MISS A.
Perhaps a light dressing. That's all.
Mr. R. gently puts his hand on Miss A.'s sleek, exposed back and leads her to the door.
MR. R.
She doesn't eat much.
They are almost through the door as Miss A. calls back.
MISS A.
Thank you!
Her giggle is muffled when the door swings closed again. Flora can't help giggling herself.
FLORA
Do you know who that is?
CARYN
Yes, Flora.
Caryn takes some bottles with Chinese writing out of the cabinet.
FLORA
My daughter has seen all her movies.
CARYN
I might have seen one on an airplane or something.
She drizzles a little from each bottle into a small bowl. Flora resumes cleaning the greens.
FLORA
So pretty.
Caryn whisks the vinaigrette with a vengeance.
CARYN
Too thin.
2 Tablespoons peanut or olive oil
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
Whisk all ingredients together.
A small amount of sesame oil adds tremendous depth to this vinaigrette. It needs nothing more than an assortment of baby greens to accompany it.
Posted by Caryn at 06:55 AM | This Entry Only | Recipe Only | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)