Orange, Date and Almond Salad

Tu B'Shevat [TOO bay shuh-VAHT] - the Jewish New Year of the Trees - began at sundown last night and continues through today.  It is traditional to celebrate the holiday by having a tree planted in Israel; by eating a new fruit; or by holding a seder in which specific fruits are eaten in a particular order, along with the recitation of blessings.

It is also customary to enjoy dried fruits and nuts - such as figs, apricots, pecans, walnuts, etc. - although eating any type of fruit is a lovely way to acknowledge the beauty and bounty of trees.

According to MyJewishLearning.com: "The Bible expresses a great reverence for fruit trees as symbols of God's ... beneficence. Special laws were formulated to protect (them) in times of war and ensure that the produce of trees would not be picked until the trees were mature enough and tithes were given from them."  Respect for trees and care for the environment are deeply ingrained in Judaism.

Just because the recipe for today's salad is ridiculously simple and only requires 4 ingredients, don't underestimate the impact of its taste!  The brightness of the oranges, the sweetness of the dates, the tartness of the pomegranate molasses ... it's an intensely flavorful combination.  And the almonds contribute a lovely crunch to contrast with the softness of the fruits.

In honor of Tu B'Shevat, you can serve the Orange, Date and Almond Salad featured below which showcases the glorious produce of trees.  You could also offer some other dishes which feature a variety of delicious fruits and nuts, such as olives, lemons, cherries, chocolate, oranges, quince, bananas, hazelnuts, and more:

Braised Chicken Thighs in Lemony Olive Sauce

White Chocolate and Cherry Brownies

Lemon-Glazed Cherry Pasties

Chocolate Cherry Kugel

Zesty Lemon Spaghetti

Chocolate-Glazed Orange Cake

Quince-Glazed Baked Yams

Banana Nutella Cake

Triple Orange Brownies


Don't forget to read about my "Chopped" challenge: dare me to use ingredients you suggest, and I'll post about my creations!  Click here for the terms ....


Orange, Date and Almond Salad

4 large oranges
3/4 cup pitted dates, chopped
1/3 cup almonds, lightly toasted, chopped
3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

Cut the ends off the oranges, then stand them upright and slice off the peels.  Turn the oranges on their sides and cut into thick slices, then place onto a serving dish.

Sprinkle the dates and almonds over the oranges.

Drizzle the pomegranate molasses over everything.

Serves 4.

My Blog is Carbon Neutral (Even If I'm Not)

As I surf around to visit various websites and blogs, I find all sorts of entertaining and useful items -- quotes, recipe round-ups, friending/following flings, etc. And somewhere, somehow I bumbled upon something very important: a program that will plant a tree in honor of a site that publicizes its cause, such that computer emissions are countered by the saving grace of the tree.

Since today happens to be World Environment Day, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly, it seemed the perfect occasion to join in this project. (Go to Mach's Grun for all the information.) I drive a Suburban, I cook a lot, I do laundry and wash dishes ... there are many aspects of my normal daily life which cannot be helped, but which are harmful to the environment. Even just sitting here and typing -- trying to stay out of trouble while resting on my tuckus -- is a detriment. But that can be remedied:

"... the atmosphere can be relieved by an average of 5kg (11lb.) carbon dioxide every year by planting one tree. An average blog causes 3.6kg (8lb.) of carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, a tree neutralises the carbon dioxide emissions of a blog. Since a tree lives for an average of 50 years, carbon dioxide emissions of your blog can be completely neutralised for this time period."

Or, since the proverbial picture paints 1000 words:

The planting is done in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation here in the United States, which is helping to reforest Plumas National Forest in Northern California. It's so easy! It's such a great idea! So, let's do it!!!

I can't afford a new car, and my Suburban -- which can not only carry Jeremy's band equipment for gigs and rehearsals ('cause that stuff won't fit in his Beetle without being put through a trash compactor!), but which can also hold an entire Christmas tree in its cargo area -- is paid off. My condo won't allow me to hang clothes to dry on a line in the backyard (God forbid I'd consider the front lawn!). My dishwasher broke a year ago, so I have to wash dishes by hand ... not sure if that's good or bad -- less electricity vs. lots of running water -- but it is what it is.

It would take 3 buses to cover the 6 miles from my home to work; and even if I owned (or could ride) a bike, I'd be a mighty sweaty mess by the time I got there with no way to get cleaned up once I arrived. I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm just realizing I have little control over my impact upon the environment in some areas of my life. Believe me, there's guilt -- that's inescapable if you're raised Catholic with the sacrament of Confession, and then evolve into a Secular Jew!

But I can grow an organic garden. And I can walk to neighborhood stores rather than driving within a small radius. And I can have a tree planted in honor of Food Floozie, and encourage my fellow bloggers and friends to do their part, as well. This is how easy it is:

1. Write a blog post about the initiative
2. E-mail the link to your post to CO2-neutral@kaufda.de
3. We plant a tree for your blog in Plumas!

So, whaddya waitin' for??? Go hug a tree ... I mean, plant one ... I mean, have one planted for you!