My dad recently returned from Greece and one of the things he “liberated” are some pomegranates from our tree at our summer home in Greece.
I keep telling him he shouldn’t be bringing stuff back but he insists on “sneaking” some back into the country. It could be worse, I used to have a friend who worked for Canada Customs at Toronto’s airport and he would tell us some pretty funny stories.
The one that stands out the most was the lady from eastern Europe that smelled funny. When one arrives in Canada by air, you’re given a card to fill out to expedite the “interrogation” by customs officers. It’s the standard customs stuff concerning what you bought by way of tobacco, booze, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products.
This lady arrived in Canada and when she finally arrived at the customs desk, the officer noticed a weird smell. The officer immediately instructed her go to the left for “further” investigation.
A female customs officer then checked her out thoroughly but the luggage contained nothing smelly, nor did her purse or carry-on bag. Now the lady with the weird smell was summoned into an examination room…the strip search (again by a female officer).
The lady was instructed to undress. First her top came off. Nothing. Next, she was instructed to take off her dress.
The customs officer burst into laughter. The lady had tied a rope around her waist and had a big, honkin’ salami dangling between her legs! “No meats are allowed to be brought in, ma’am”.
Spinach Salad With Pomegranates
3 cups of baby spinach
1 small red onion, halved then sliced
1/2 cup button mushrooms, sliced
3 strips of crispy bacon, chopped
1/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
2 hard boiled eggs, quartered
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. of dry tarragon
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
- Into a large salad bowl, add your mustard and vinegar. Now slowly pour in your olive oil while whisking until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Add salt & pepper and reserve.
- Prepare your remaining salad ingredients and reserve until salad is to be served.
- Add the remaining salad ingredients, toss gently and serve.
Funny story, great salad :)
I picked a pomegranate up to try on the weekend and I have been wondering what to do with it. A tasty salad sounds like a good idea.
Wow, great looking salad! Well worth the potential customs problems. We just got back from Greece and thanks for the yogurt recipe. It was a well loved part of my daily breakfast and they just don’t do it the same around here!
Looks like a fantastic salad. Never tried spinach in a salad before.
Peter, this salad has all the ingredients I love – it’s a favorite, already!
Can you imagine what the customs officers would find if they caught everyone? My container of Greek feta leaked all over my knapsack and my caper leaves drained. I’m surprised they did not “smell me” either!
Ivy, look/ask for baby spinach, it’s tender, mild and wonderful as a salad. In mainland Greece they are finally eating “omo spanaki”.
Love spinach salad and though I recognize some of the players as customary, really like the pomegranate addition. I’m addicted to those things and they add such a beautiful color. Nice. Very nice.