Food in jars has
surged in popularity over the last number of years, and no one is more
appreciative of this clever way to store, serve, and display food than I am.
That's why I didn't hesitate for a moment when I was offered a copy of a new
book to review, Mason Jar Salads and more by Julia Mirabella.
I am in love with this book! Its subtitle is “50 Layered Lunches to Grab and Go,” but it is so much
more than that. Lunches, yes, but dinners, side dishes, and the convenience of
having a fresh, delicious meal at arm's reach makes this book a necessity in
every kitchen library. Imagine a busy day, no time or energy to prepare a meal,
but a delicious and healthful one readily at hand, previously prepared and
stored in the fridge in a Mason jar. This is the stuff dreams are made
of. 
It's a lovely book,
loaded with mouthwatering pictures - so important in cookbooks - with an
incredible variety of succulent salads from more commonplace green salads
(though there is nothing at all common about these ingenious recipes and unique
combinations) to breakfast, pasta, rice, snacks, you name it! I'm talking
curried chicken salad, chili, potato salad, and ratatouille. I may need
to buy an additional fridge, and certainly cases of Mason jars, to hold the ample
and diverse jarred meals included in this book. The Porcini Mushroom Risotto is
excellent, the Mango Salsa I could eat right from the jar. Who needs chips when
you have something this good?
If you are a fan of
homemade salad dressings like I am, let me tell you that this book is worth
having for the vinaigrette recipes alone. I have had a different salad dressing
every day this week and am stymied as to which one I like best. All of them
have a summery freshness that makes me feel as if I am dining at an Oceanside
resort.
One of my favorite
salads so far is the Corn and Blueberry Salad with Lime Vinaigrette. I
have been crazy about the inclusion corn in salad ever since first having it in
Italy in 2000. They must have had a bumper corn crop that year because every
restaurant in every city we visited featured corn in the salad. I love that
tasty, colorful little addition. Blueberries are another favorite, undervalued
in salads, I think, providing a blast of juicy deliciousness and welcome hint
of sweet. I customized the original recipe (shown below) by using a mixture of
romaine lettuce and my own homegrown sorrel
(a spring green that is thriving in our 90+ degree heat), and layering it in a
quart jar. Sorrel has a bit of a lemony taste making it perfect with this salad
combination. It pairs beautifully with the lime vinaigrette and really
makes the flavor of the berries pop. This salad, and many others, are
restaurant quality, and make a satisfying and filling meal when paired with a
crusty piece of bread or tasty biscuit or muffin. 
I highly recommend
this wonderful book. No matter how many cookbooks you have in your collection,
make room for this one. You'll thank me later.
Corn and Blueberry Salad
2 ears of corn, for
about 3/4 cup kernels
1-1/2 tablespoons
Lime Vinaigrette (I used 2 T.), recipe below
1 to 2 tablespoons
finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup cucumber
slices (half- or quarter-moons)
1-1/2 tablespoons
chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup blueberries
1 pint-size Mason
jar
Remove the husks and
silks from the corn. Pour enough water into a pot to cover the corn and bring
to a boil over high heat. Add the corn and boil for 5 minutes. Remove the corn
from the water and let cool for a few minutes, then slice off the kernels.
Layer the salad
ingredients in the Mason jar, starting with the vinaigrette, then the onion and
the cucumber. Finish with layers of corn kernels, cilantro, and blueberries.
Seal and refrigerate until ready to use.
Lime Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons lime
juice
1 tablespoon chopped
fresh cilantro
Pinch of salt
Freshly ground black
pepper, to taste
Dash of hot sauce
(optional)
3 tablespoons olive
oil
Whisk together the
lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Slowly add the
olive oil, whisking, until the dressing thickens.
This post is linked to:
