Tasso and shallot tart, melon salad and to BlogHer '15 I go

At 10am this morning, I still had little more than undies, jam and all hair-styling products packed in my suitcase, but I'm on the train now, so there you have it. I work well under pressure.

Dinner last night was so wonderful- way to leave on a high note, Em! 

caramelized shallot, cabbage and tasso tart

This tart never disappoints and was pleasantly lightened just the right amount by a terrific papaya and cantaloupe salad I concocted (and am about to post the recipe for). As many of you know, papaya loves citrus juice -particularly lemon or lime- but cantaloupe appreciates that same zing and so should not be relegated to just your basic fruit salad. 

I made a sprightly vinaigrette of lime juice, olive oil, a bit of honey and a dash of cardamom, whisked that with salt and pepper, and tossed it with the fruit and some shredded mint. Beautiful, healthy, and I'll admit to you that I drank the remaining vinaigrette because it was so tasty.

I'm sitting in a window seat barreling towards New York. New York, New York, you have a huge chunk of heart and soul, and I never feel anything but thrill as I head your way. 

As soon as I arrive in the hotel, I'm going to a happy hour and then the BlogHer '15 kick-off keynote featuring the #blacklivesmatter founders and Melinda Gates. Yes, that Melinda Gates. Then to a speaker at the 92nd St Y and finally to dinner with an oldie/bestie. What a day!

A bit of beauty in food and sky

I should have finished packing by now but instead am procrastinating like it's my job. Have I mentioned to you that I hate packing? Loathe it? Yes, likely a million times. 

In any case, I've got underwear, business cards, a nightgown and toothbrush packed, so clearly I'm in good shape. If BlogHer has changed significantly and all we do is hand out cards from our hotel rooms whilst dressed in pjs.

Alas. It'll happen.

Keeping this short because of the above, but I wanted to share a few bits of beauty with you. The sky some nights back, and last night's dinner: my lovely Manchego and Rosemary Risotto. 

manchego and rosemary risotto

On tap for tonight, the always divine Caramelized Shallot, Cabbage and Tasso Tart. Gotta leave T with some leftovers because #men.

A Food52 Wildcard Win; soon to Richmond

www.em-i-lis.com

There was a very silly school-start delay of two hours this morning, but the boys were troopers about hanging out in the kids' club so I could keep my appointment at the gym. We then hit the library, I dropped them off, went to the market and returned home to my very cold but very quiet home. Dear family friends are coming for dinner tonight, so I wanted to start cooking and maybe sit a long spell on the couch because I feel slightly on the bad side of icky.

A good couch is such an underrated place to spend time. While huddling under my blanket with my other two boys nearby, I found via email from a friend that my Farro Salad with Gold Beets, Feta and Pecans had been awarded a Wildcard Win on Food52 today. What a nice surprise! Thanks to the editors and to Mark Weinberg for the lovely photo.

www.em-i-lis.com

For dinner tonight, I'm making a kale salad, a caramelized shallot and cabbage tart with tasso, and some spiced molasses cookies. Simple and delicious. And tomorrow, for the first time in years, I will happily and enthusiastically pack because on Friday morning, T and I are heading to Richmond to celebrate his birthday weekend.

I literally could not be looking forward to this getaway more. Three nights of great meals, excellent drink, adult conversation and SLEEP! No schedule, spontaneity, quiet! Aaaahhhh.....