“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam...” This quote comes, of course, from the cult-fave film The Princess Bride, when the fabulous Peter Cook performs the wedding of Prince Humperdinck and Buttercup.
I’ve spent the past week trying to make the quote work with a salad metaphor (why, you ask? you’ll see) and am not quite there yet. I might go with it anyway. “Mawage is like a sawad. Mawage, that bwessed produce awangement …”
Thanks to the defeat of DOMA and the legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois and many other states, we find ourselves on the guest list for a few weddings this summer which will honor the longtime relationships of friends who are, shall we say, mature or 'experienced' or perhaps 'seasoned.' Yes, yes, they’re all young at heart, that’s not the point. The point is ... wedding gifts. Not only have these folks already got everything they want/need, they’ve also been well-established in households together for quite some time. There is simply no reason to outfit them with toasters or hand towels or whatever. So what to do instead?
One couple’s friends have addressed the issue by hosting a Creative Arts Shower for the brides, Carol and Pamela. Guests are encouraged to bring/perform/create some sort of “art" for the happy couple – could be a painting for them to hang in their home, or the recitation of a poem, or maybe a living room demonstration of badass break-dancing skills. It’s more about the experiences and the memories, less about stuff. Very cool idea! This post is our creative offering … ladies, after reading further let us know if you’d prefer to have the toaster.
I’ve spent the past week trying to make the quote work with a salad metaphor (why, you ask? you’ll see) and am not quite there yet. I might go with it anyway. “Mawage is like a sawad. Mawage, that bwessed produce awangement …”
Thanks to the defeat of DOMA and the legalization of same-sex marriage in Illinois and many other states, we find ourselves on the guest list for a few weddings this summer which will honor the longtime relationships of friends who are, shall we say, mature or 'experienced' or perhaps 'seasoned.' Yes, yes, they’re all young at heart, that’s not the point. The point is ... wedding gifts. Not only have these folks already got everything they want/need, they’ve also been well-established in households together for quite some time. There is simply no reason to outfit them with toasters or hand towels or whatever. So what to do instead?
One couple’s friends have addressed the issue by hosting a Creative Arts Shower for the brides, Carol and Pamela. Guests are encouraged to bring/perform/create some sort of “art" for the happy couple – could be a painting for them to hang in their home, or the recitation of a poem, or maybe a living room demonstration of badass break-dancing skills. It’s more about the experiences and the memories, less about stuff. Very cool idea! This post is our creative offering … ladies, after reading further let us know if you’d prefer to have the toaster.
So, ahem, as I was saying. “Mawage is like a sawad.” The ingredients stand on their own with integrity, distinct flavor and well-formed identities. That is a carrot, I know what it tastes like. Same with the cucumber, and so on. And when they come together in a salad they keep their individual characteristics and also take on a new set of attributes, elevating the union to a whole other level. Better together.
And so, Pamela and Carol, we present this recipe as our gift in honor of your mawage and hope you will enjoy many salads together in the years ahead. Better together indeed.
For about a minute I thought I would try matching the ingredients to the personalities, but that seems unwise and likely to result in hurt feelings – I mean, who wants to be the spinach? And it really doesn't matter anyway. They have both already won the prize.
And so, Pamela and Carol, we present this recipe as our gift in honor of your mawage and hope you will enjoy many salads together in the years ahead. Better together indeed.
For about a minute I thought I would try matching the ingredients to the personalities, but that seems unwise and likely to result in hurt feelings – I mean, who wants to be the spinach? And it really doesn't matter anyway. They have both already won the prize.
Cracker Jack images: Mike Mozart via Flickr
| Printable Recipe- Cracker Jack salad |
Ingredients for Salad:
Use as much or as little of each as you like. And if you want to add additional ingredients, that's fine too. It's a pretty easy-going salad.
Ingredients for Dressing:
Directions:
Note: The extra dressing makes a very good sauce for chicken breasts, pork cutlets, noodles … or another salad!
- Baby spinach or mixed lettuce leaves
- Sliced white mushrooms
- Bean sprouts
- Sunflower seeds
- Fresh strawberries or dried cranberries or dried cherries
- Cracker Jack popcorn
Use as much or as little of each as you like. And if you want to add additional ingredients, that's fine too. It's a pretty easy-going salad.
Ingredients for Dressing:
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy is best)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup plain white vinegar
- Coarsely ground black pepper
Directions:
- Mix together all salad ingredients except popcorn. Eyeball the quantities and use as much or as little of the ingredients as appeals to you. This is a remarkably flexible recipe.
- Combine all salad dressing ingredients – except oil – in a blender or food processor. Blend for a minute or so until they are well mixed. Taste and add up to another tablespoon of sugar if necessary. (I reduced it quite a bit from the original recipe. Suit your own tastebuds.)
- With the machine running, slowly add the canola oil, pouring in a slow, steady trickle.
- Toss the salad with a few tablespoons of dressing (you’ll have lots left over) and then top with the Cracker Jack popcorn.
Note: The extra dressing makes a very good sauce for chicken breasts, pork cutlets, noodles … or another salad!
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