Do you ever have that gnawing feeling that something is missing, but oookaaay refill my glass? Good morning! My turn to host the Christmas meal was not an epic fail, but I forgot to put out one of the main dishes. I’ll blame stress, and the person who arrived early with champagne. One sip and I don’t know or care about anything.
In the days leading up to the soirée, Thing 1 cleaned in the way her OCD allows: taking everything apart then moving on to the next without putting back the previous. Down to the wire, like in the Seuss book, all was washed and in place. That book was about OCD, in my opinion.
My middle child, Thing 2, who lurvs cooking, flew in from NY a few days before and worked remotely from home. After quitting time she shopped for ingredients, sometimes with help. She did most of the cheffing and fed the carnivores well.
I don’t cook if I can help it. I sous-chef-ed (new word,) while seated. (Back-pain/unsuccessful surgery.) Washing and chopping ingredients so the real chef can put it together and take the glory… it’s tragic. I see you sous-chefs. 😭
Thing 3 timed his visits well. “How can I help? Oh, did I miss all the work?”
People seemed to enjoy the sparse menu, despite the missing the farro salad that I made. It is delicious, by the way. My biggest regret in hosting is that I allowed the planning phase to cause me so much stress, and that I forgot to give guests their hostess gifts. I am not pleasant under stress.
After the guests left and the cleaning wound up, I needed my bed. The next morning (yesterday) Thing 2 flew home. Her entire visit was remote work, dinner prep, help hosting, and clean-up crew. (See how I didn’t mention Thing 1 & 3 arguing.) I feel cheated of her company and blame myself for not embracing the hostess bullshit with a burst of sunshine.
Anyway I saw this today:
And I thought, that’s a lot of words for “shut up and listen, you might learn something.”
Perhaps the hosting stress has not completely left my system. I’m old enough, or should I say young enough, to remember when I wasn’t quite so bitter. I once enjoyed throwing parties.
Farro salad
• 4 cups cooked farro (about 1 1/2 uncooked)
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 1 apples, chopped
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 diced red onion
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
For the dressing:
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt & pepper, to taste
(Top with fresh mint, lemon wedges)
Step 1- Cook farro,
Step 2- mix it together,
Step 3- garnish with mint leaves and lemon wedges-because presentation is everything with food as in life.
A lot from Lydia 
I am all about presentation. **what is that? I don’t know but I want some–it looks beautiful!** Sous chefs are the unsung heroes of the kitchen. I bow to you.
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That’s the farro salad I forgot to serve. 🤨
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Looks delicious. Christmas Day is always a blur…hope you are able to feel better in the new year.
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Thank you!
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Wow I’m keeping this recipe! (And I do think I saw you smi
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Smile. 😜 okay I did.
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Well done Lydia, you made it through. My Christmas wasn’t at all stressful this year. I hosted Boxing day but just son and daughter in law. I stress too, no idea why, but there you go. The salad looks very nice, but I don’t know what Farro is. I’ll look it up, I expect it has a different name in Australia. Anyway on on (I go into hiding and accept no invitations for New Years Eve). I hope 2023 is better than the last few years but I fear that things can get even worse. Fingers crossed I am wrong.
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Faro is a grain in competition with quinoa for the most pretentious sounding healthy rice substitue.
We don’t have Boxing Day here. I feel cheated. It’s probably something to do with our history.
Anyway, I’m relieved the holiday stress is over. I can’t decide which sweat pants to wear for New Year’s Eve, (on my sofa.) Yes 2023 will be better! 🥳
Happy New Year, Barbara!
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Hahaha, I’ll stick with quinoa then. We are a little warm for sweat pants at the moment, but I feel you Lydia. And yes 2023 WILL be better, we’ve decided. Happy New Year Lydia. Stay well 💛
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Love your definition of farro! Your salad looks beautiful. I hope you are enjoying it.
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I am enjoying it, thank you. The regret over forgetting to serve it has faded. I’ve never tried farro before, and I really like the texture. I may cook again. 😁
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I use pearl barley instead of rice. I like its texture better, as well.
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Ooh I’ll have to look for that.
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