Many of you are like me and you have a blog. You peruse the food landscape on the internet, looking for a food idea, a new inspiration or paying a visit to a friend’s blog to see what’s new and exciting.
Sometimes we hit gold with a winning dish and other times what you think will be a smash ends up making a loud thud.
What I do find myself doing more & more is searching in my mind for a new way to express my positive reaction to a post, or more particular a dish.
The usual, “my…. that looks tasty” or “OH MY GOD, I’m bookmarking this to try” or “that looks delicious” seem to be the “go to” catch phrases.
Today, I flipped through the Thesaurus to find new inspiration for when I visit your lovely blogs. If you see me at your blog…I like you and I really what you have to say and what you cook. If I’m absent, don’t cry…I can’t – WE all can’t like all the foods out there, all the time…it’s impossible. Life’s not a popularity contest.
So after flipping through the Thesaurus, I’ve discovered some new words that I will try to employ when I’m leaving comments on your blog:
“choice, nectarious, palatable, sapid, gratifying, ambrosial, fetching, pleasing, flavoursome, saporous, toothsome, diaphanous, luscious, divine, scrumptious, aperitive, succulent, culinary, wholesome, esculent, digestible, heavenly, tasteful, spirited, stimulating, highly-flavoured, redolent, magnificent, seasoned, harmonious, fit for a king, nutritious and my very favourite new word….titillating”!
On to some food. Today, you get a couple of starters…one being a salad, the other some garlic bread.
First, the salad and in particular, the dressing. After the success of my Dill Cucumber dressing, I’m going to start making more of my own dressings. This next one is a Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette. It’s made with ingredients most of us already have in our pantry and you might have to only go out and buy some sun-dried tomatoes but the dressing is a winner.
Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dry oregano
1/4 tsp. of black pepper
1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste
- Simply add all the above ingredients into a jar and shale to emulsify. Dress for favourite salad combo or what’s in season. Keep in the fridge for a week.
The next starter is a garlic bread that’s super-easy and you’ll serve this over & over as your signature garlic bread.
The inspiration for this garlic bread comes from eating recently at an Italian restaurant in town that brought the table baskets of aromatic, warm garlic bread that left left us stuffed and almost unable to finish our main courses.
The main ingredient for this garlic bread is the Carrabbas Bread Dip Mix, which I simply mixed into some room temperature butter and then I cut some vertical slices into the bread loaf, smeared the butter/Carrabbas mixture in between and I wrapped the bread in foil.
Simply throw into a preheated 350 oven for 15 minutes to warm through and serve this aromatic, easy to prep and delicious garlic bread to your guests. They are bound to ask you “what’s in it”!
Carrabbas Garlic Bread Mix
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried rosemary
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
Mix together and store in a plastic container.
70 Responses
As a business writer and amateur blogger who has perused food blogs for some time now–I got a real kick from this post.
I strive to leave original comments and thoughts as well, while trying (I mean learning) to be a bit more concise.
With that said, I enjoyed your pithy post. Your recipes exude a particular culinary genius and the photo of the salad is fetching. (I really would gobble up a plateful if I had one in front of me!)
Wow ambrosial! You didn’t think I wouldn’t cheat and copy your words! Okay just on you blog comments.
I really do like that vinaigrette! I was hunting for a new one to try. Just getting tired of my old standby.
Well that looks absolutely nectarious , possible, if I may say so, sapid. Well done.
I prepare garlic bread like this frequently, but using olive oil as the “spice carrier”. Just the smell wafting through the kitchen leaves everyone ravenous. That vinaigrette may end up on my table tonight, too!
How about some aliteration? Delightfully daring and delicious to drool over!
I’ve been cooking with sun-dried tomatoes quite often lately, and will for sure have to make this vinaigrette, especially as it also contains balsamic vinegar. Yum. Yes, I’ve bookmarked it ;)
I also like your idea of adding red pepper flakes to garlic bread.
Wow. Peter – the salad and bread look really digestable!
These simple foods are redolent with the essence of the Med.You are a culinary master.
YAY! Bravo for you to inspire US to comment artfully on YOUR blog. I’m getting such a kick out of everyone’s responses.
Peter, my brother in words, take a peek at my blog subtitle next time you stop by!! Titillating indeed! When I first defined my blog, I was worried that titillate sounded too sexy. I’m over that.
P.S. I am in awe of the humongous feta cubes! No measly dusting of cheese here. Salivating now.
After reading all the previous comments all I can say is that this post is titillating. :-p
Great job and we understand if you don’t leave a comment in every sngle post. Sometimes I wonder how you always beat me to the comments section of the blogs I visit :-p
Have a great night!
Peter,
this salad is succulent,nutritious and fit for a King. Oh forgot the bread, it looks heavenly.
Cheers,
Sun dried tomato vinaigrette is one of my favorites. That garlic bread looks scrumptious! I never would have thought to make a garlic bread as an entire loaf like that.
Sandie, welcome and thanks for taking the time to write. I hope to see you dropping by here more often.
Judy, I enjoyed the salad muchly..there a new word! lol
Annemarie, why TY for the most gracious comment.
Marjie, olive oil or butter are just fine…NO margarine.
LOL @ Peter G…that’s the business!
Lisa, I always like adding a little heat to my dishes.
Psych, I’m so glad they are digestible…I save on handing out TUMS.
Ahhh Glam, ever kind you are, m’lady.
Lori Lynn, I just noticed your byline on the blog and I got a good giggle out of it…yes boys will be boys.
Helene, thank on behalf of the Court Royale.
Kevin, this is my new fave way to do garlic bread.
We don’t have a Carrabba’s near us, but I’ve made their bread dipping sauce quite a few times and love it. Your bread looks deliciously sinful.
You’re too funny.
The vinaigrette looks fit for a queen.
The garlic bread mix… well that just sounds like it would be a heck of a lot better than plain old garlic bread!
Actually, I’m transfixed by those chunks of crumbly white feta amidst the greens.
But garlic powder in garlic bread?!? Nononono. The mix of herbs sound great, but please! Real garlic!
Oooh ooh ooh, can I have “saporous”? Someday if I deserve it? :-)
You have reached nectarirvana with this one!!
What a magnificent salad that is! I love how harmonius all the components are! :D
A lively and spirited set of entries, I’d say. Thanks for pointing out how tired the phrases have become, and thanks for using sun dried tomatoes in a vinagrette!
Aack! What pressure! Figuring out something clever to say in a comment is the hardest thing for me. You’ve laid out some interesting options.
What’s not to love about a fresh, bright salad dressed with a beautiful balsamic dressing!
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am a bit intimidated leaving a comment on your blog now, firstly because my strength is in cooking, not in words and secondly because English is only my second language….
Even without all the “new” words, your comments were always inspiring and constructive.
About todays 2 dishes. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and my favorite is a mustard and orange dressing. The sun dried tomato dressing sounds wonderful.
…..the garlic bread is a sure winner.
I am titillated by that bread! :)
OK, smarty, you got me on a couple of those. I’ve been on a sun-dried tomato kick lately – great pasta tonight, so this dressin is particularly interesting.
LOL Peter! I feel the same way about leaving comments on others’ blogs…original comments are my favorites to read (both on my own blog and on others’ blogs). (not that I don’t like the classic comments! I do! I’m just sayin’) I’m looking forward to reading your vocabularily enhanced comments! (lmao I realize that is not a real word) ;) Now, onto your recipes! Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette sounds SO good. Of course, I have to make my own “sun dried” (translate: “oven dried.”) tomatoes, but when I do? I hope to try this out. Sun dried tomatoes have such a unique flavor, I think they lend themselves well to this type of preparation. The garlic bread looks fab, too…the Spanish version is crushed garlic, evoo, salt and parsley…those extra herbs can only make it better. :)
Here’s a word for you, Peter – that garlic bread looks absolutely stonking!
Any of that salad left? Do you think it would travel well to London? No? Hmmm. That is a shame. Guess I’ll just have to try and titillate my tastebuds with an imitation version.
Cate, we have no Carrabbas here either but I chanced trying the mix & I love it.
Lori, not only are you a Queen but a star!
Ferdzy, you may certainly use real garlic, I use a good garlic powder, nothing industrial.
Lulu,noted…saporous it will be.
Nina, exhale…it’s all in good fun, look at the replies!
Sara, boom-chugga-lugga!
Laurie, a year ago I was sick of sun-dried tomatoes, they’re back in my pantry.
Nikki, when I oven roast my tomatoes, i always add garlic and some oil…Ummm.
Forkful…that’s the biz…stonking is great but it sounds like “snogging” too! lol
Antonia, salad for spiced rhubarb cake, fair trade?
Peter, I shall not comment on your ‘gorgeous’ looking food. I’m going to comment on the point you brought up.
I always have such trouble knowing what to say at times- it drives me insane! So, thanks for bringing it up. I’m not that great at expressing my thoughts and honestly, never know what to say more than it’s ‘delish or ‘must try’….because that’s how I feel.
I agree about not feeling obligated to stop by all the time. (I’m rambling sorry lol) anyhow, no worries if you don’t- I always enjoy reading your recipes through my blogger reader.
as for the maltese dishes- there are only really a handful that I know and I really need to try to get hold of a very good Maltese cook book!
It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one feeling slightly awkwardly repetitive when commenting on blog posts… Thank you for reminding me to head to the thesaurus! Titillating really is an excellent word…
But now it’s your word, so I can’t use it here, even though it would apply… :-) Ok, how about this – your garlic bread looks positively sublime. Because, really, it does… Seriously. That is some hard core awesome garlic bread.
All I can say is “Oy Vey” in a good oy vey
I would saysalade looks wholesome
and the garlic bread magnificent and heavenly :-))
Peter, you are so adorable! I’m honored to have you commenting on my blog, my friend, truly am!
That salad looks divine. I’m going to grab all that cheese and run, but not before grabbing the bread as well. :)
Personally, I find that just telling people I want to make out with them works fine in lieu of a more thoughtful comment.
Glad to see someone else pays as much consideration to our friend the adjective as I do.
There once was a blogger named Pete’
Who was known for his culinary feats
His cooking divine,
His word choice sublime,
A comment from him is a treat!
Couldn’t resist, I love words as much as food! ;-) Leah
Peter, I commented on this post last night but I am not seeing the comment. Are you moderating me because I am not original enough? LOL
Your salad looks marvelous darling! Love the combination of flavors!
After all your words and the above comments, I have no idea how to wax poetic. So I will suffice it to say that your salad looks great and the garlic bread good enough for breakfast. So glad to have found your blog.
is it wrong that i got a little hot reading this post?
I’ve had your same thoughts many times. But I also think that this is a two way road, this means that you also accept and understand us not leaving comments in your posts, right?
I don’t think this is only about food… there’s more ingredients here!
I love comments, any comments are welcome. That means that that blogger has taken some of her/his time to read your blog. Therefore I feel like I should be nice to that blogger and leave a comment too. Sometimes I do enjoy the recipe and sometimes not. Also, there are days when you are inspired and others where no words come to you… then a “this one looks delicious” is fine with me :D
But, as Nikki said, my favourites are the original and different comments, those I love!!!
I don’t think this can be considered original… it’s just long ;-)
I’ll have to go to phsycological therapy if you don’t leave comments in my blog anymore :/ snif!
wow wonderful bread
thanks for idea!
I understand the need to look for new words. You’ve inspired me to leave today’s comment in the form of a haiku poem:
It’s often been said,
with Peter in the kitchen
our minds are well-fed.
:-)
Pixie, I decided to “go” with this angle as I too sometimes go “ho-hum” thinking of something new, original to say. I try harder now.
Astra, see the fun in thinking up new ways to show you’re pleased with a blogger’s post or dish?
Giz, was that said in your best Jackie Mason accent?
Happy, see…new words for blog comments yet not new to any of us.
Patricia, your writing and food are a joy to view, Thank you, friend.
Heather, did I just get cyber-tongued?
Leah, thank you for the poem…I only know those Dice Clay poems! lol
Elly, from now on I’m watching you very closely…be afraid! lol
Nicole, you get off light as it’s your first visit, I expect $10 adjectives next time!
Amy, if you’re hot…take it off!
Nuria, of course it’s a 2-way street. We all like praise and attention…those are natural needs of every human but I’m content knowing that I can’t please everyone, each post, each time. Tomorrow, I’ll try & not comment on your blog…kidding! lol
Carmen, the garlic bread is a simple wonder.
Allen, you must give me some pointers on Haiku…XXX style! lol
What fun! Your garlic bread is simply saporous! And thanks for the link!
HAIKU??! C’mon!! HAI-freaking-KU?!?! I am so p.o’d right now that my limerick was trumped by haiku. It took me like, five minutes to think up that one! Am I going to have to sink to the Dice Man’s level to get some action on my blog?
Sorry, the belligerant blogger in me stikes again….it’s 10:30 and I’ve been overserved on the Char-de-nay. LOL!!!
Peter, I know exactly what you’re talking about. You have a scrumptious salad and a grand garlic bread there!
Pam, this Carrabbas mix is fantastic…thanks for sharing it.
Leah, give men what they want…we’re simple beasts..you know that…I look forward to your most titillating limerick. ;)
Sylvie…scrumptious works for me.
Yo Peter!
That’s all I have to say. ;)
that..and, Oh My God!!! This looks delicious! I’m bookmarking it. Do you have a suggestion for which wine to serve?
Yes, you like me then ;) and I did not get any of those catch phrases either…you gave me the comment of the century! I really appreciate your comments. If I don’t comment so much on your blog it is because it is hard for me to comment if is it not a vegetarian dish :-P I hope you will appreciate my honesty, too.
But the garlic bread here looks great. Your approach looks really simple and quick, I’ll have to try that.
I think my favorite on your list might be “digestible.” As in, Wow, that looks really digestible! I might have to use that sometime, if you don’t mind.
Awesome looking bread, by the way.
Peter, I did make this vinaigrette, and it was superb! I also bought one of those dopey little feta cheese boxes in my supermarket, and now I’ll need to find more. I plan to write about your dressing soon!
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
I loved the bit about words. I’ve been feeling guilty about my woefully inadequate vocabulary as of late in both my comments and my posts. I’ll say things like delicious, amazing, etc, and while I do mean it, I’ve come to appreciate that describing everything that way has a delightful way of diluting the meaning to nothingness. I’m trying to improve how I describe flavors (looking back at those wine tasting classes, the incredibly verbose tasting notes just don’t seem so silly any more). Some of the words you picked would definitely make for some interesting comments, lol!
As for the food, it looks great–er, “fetching”–as always. I need to start working salads into my meals at home (you can never eat enough veggies) and I like the sound of the vinagrette (and the hearty feta chunks to go with it). The bread mix also looks great–I used to make a garlic bread regularly, but my affinity for very garlicky garlic bread meant very garlicky breath for a day or two after the fact…
Peter, I’ve written about your delectable dressing, and left a luscious link to you on my post.