just make the boy happy

Ben was adamant this week that we make steak. I know, I know, I have started a dozen posts this way, but this week was different because he developed a new tactic in achieving his aim. By the way, for every time that we do have steak, there have been at least four rejections, lest you think we are living like kings, or cavemen, or beef-eating maniacs.

You may recall that we got a Ben’s Day Wednesday branding iron last year for Christmas. Ben began his lobbying with, “Let’s have steak so we can use the branding iron.” I suggested steak’s frugal cousin, the pork chop. “No. I think steak. It’s better.” Well, of course it’s better, but on a weekday?

Ben was sent to another room, so Phil and I could talk amongst ourselves. Kind of. Phil whispered that we had some filets in the freezer. I was developing a counter-argument, when Ben’s voice, so quiet it was more subliminal message than sound, floated in from the other room, “Just make the boy happy.”

It wasn’t a bad play on Ben’s part. I’m familiar with rejecting Ben’s extravagant meal requests, but turning down a plaintive, famished ghost, who speaks in the third person? That’s a different kettle of fish. Thrown off balance, I somehow agreed to filet mignon on a Tuesday. 

Citrus Salad

1/4 cup red vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

2-3 thin disks red onion, halved 

1 orange

1 grapefruit

1/4 English cucumber, thinly sliced into disks

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup parsley leaves, torn

6 cups leafy greens

Optional: bleu cheese crumbles, goat cheese or feta

Optional: Peppadew peppers

In a large bowl, mix vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, sugar, and red onion. Cut peel off orange and grapefruit. With a sharp knife, cut sections free from membranes into bowl with vinegar mixture. Squeeze juice from orange and grapefruit into bowl, too. Add cucumber and stir. Let sit at least 10 minutes. Just before serving, stir in olive oil, parsley and leafy greens. Serve with peppadew peppers and bleu cheese if desired.