Easier Than It Sounds

The Setting: Sunday night. Sick in bed since Thursday. Starving. No idea what may be fresh in fridge, let alone what's in fridge. Really starving.

We've all been there. Out of commission for days and ready for some real food. Diving into the fridge I found arugula that was on its last leg. One orange. And last Tuesday's market radishes in really good condition - greens and all. Mint. Chives screaming "eat me." Who bought strawberries out of season?

A quick trip to the freezer uncovers my favorite secret weapon - Mr. Bill's peeled and deveined frozen shrimp. Pistachios which I know are safe because I've already eaten some pre-scare and am here to tell you about it.

Brain's starting to fire. Reaching for white rice because non-meat eating child will now be covered, without complaints of brown rice. Thinking faster because stomach is growling. Do not want to waste a thing and must move fast. Recall a recent recipe for sauteed radishes with butter, sugar and herbs. Sweetness of shrimp would partner beautifully. Will use local honey instead of sugar and chives and mint. Old arugula, gorgeous radish greens, orange zest and pistachios - YUM! - pesto. I'll throw it into the cooked rice. Makes up for lost fiber in white rice (!). Make supremes with orange segments, add to sliced (and flavorless) strawberries, and boost flavor with fleur de sel and that local honey again.

At table, husband, between large, shoveled in bites, "One of your best ever."

Stay tuned for recipes at an Essen Class soon.