A Few Things of Importance

1. Have you made this salad yet? You must, you must, you must. It, quite literally, might be the best thing since sliced bread. I made it for a dinner party on Friday night, along with a plethora of other delicious things, and this salad was the one thing at the meal that made everyone stop speaking and start pointing at their plates, mouths full, in wonder and greed. It is delicious. Hot and spicy, crunchy and cool, complex in texture and flavor. Wondrous. Deb got the recipe from Sasa who got the recipe from her mother who got it from a cooking magazine in New Zealand - all of which simply serves to reinforce the fact that the internet is the best thing to happen to cooking since the gods gave us fire.

2. I didn't realize until a few months after moving in that I, once again, had chosen an apartment with an unencumbered view of the sky, which means that we've been hard at work documenting all the glorious sunsets that come our way. And lately, the sky has been so generous.

3. The good people of Berlin are getting happier, whenever the sunshine intermittently cracks through the ever-present clouds, sometimes thin and menacing, sometimes plump and cottony, flitting across the sky. In general, Berlin is coming alive, as it always does once spring descends. The parks and meridians and sidewalks are bursting with overgrown grasses, blossoming trees, blowsy dandelions. The air is sweet and fragrant - just last night, I walked up Schlossstrasse taking great, deep gulps of air, scented with lilacs and chestnut blossoms and earth still damp from an earlier, brief hail storm. It feels like magic, it really does, when you're in the gloaming in Berlin and the greenery around you moves and beckons in the wind and you feel like there could be fairy sprites hiding in the bushes, peering out with glittering eyes as you pass by.

4. Finally, you've all been very patient with my coy attempts at, uh, implying the presence of, er, romance in this space. I guess I've been a little shy. Remember back in the fall when I said that sometimes, when you're given the chance to do something that might change your life totally and completely, you have to take that step, make that leap, take that chance? I wasn't only talking about leaving my job, writing a book and moving to Berlin. I was also talking about a love story, the defining one of my life. One that helped me move mountains, or continents, if you will. Our story is a big one, one I'll tell you about some day, but in the meantime I figured it's time to make it official, time to bring him into the fold here, the man at my table, my heart.

Comments

[Heather]

I was gonna make that salad this past weekend, and then i ran outta time (not that it's time consuming, but still).

congrats on the romantical stuff ;) can't wait to hear the story!

[dervla]

beautiful post, luisa. It was full of light and love and i couldn't be happier for you :-)

[Kelly]

I made this salad as soon as I saw Deb's post. Instead of Harissa though I used Zatar and added some hot paprika. It was delicious.

I've enjoyed your comments on Berlin. I live in Germany as well and visit my partner there every month. There are so many things to love about Berlin. If you ever want tips let me know.

[rebecca]

O, Luisa! I kind of had a feeling with the little "we" that was starting to make its way in your writing!I am so so happy for you! Can't wait to hear all about it. I feel like I have gone through so much with you....you feel like a true friend. You are very brave to be sharing your journey with us, the ups and downs...you are an inspiration. Just loved reading about that new heart that is with you at your table. God Bless! Hope to hear more so I can wish you a proper mazal tov-congratulations! You are a beautiful woman....he is one lucky guy! Here's to romance and to love.....this summer and always! xo

[sk]

Ooooh, lovely! All of it. Can't wait to hear more...

[Rose-Anne]

You sure know how to write a cliffhanger, lady! I can't wait to read the next chapter of this love story. What an amazing spring.

[Sasa]

Dense over here because while I read your every post, I had not an inkling! How beautifully you write about him, I'm so glad for you Luisa, lovely.

[Kristin]

I was wondering who "we" was. So happy for you!!! And I intend to make the salad this weekend.

[AML]

Sasa. Congrats. You have done it again. This recipe has circulated throughout the entire world wide web in the last week. I have to admit....I still haven't made it. Soon.

[Michele]

Great post, in many ways. I was about to comment on the salad, but now even though I don't know you I feel I should comment on the last piece of news! Fabulous story...

But I will comment on the salad as well. I've recently gotten into carrot salads and they're great! I made one the other night with coriander, lime juice, paprika and harissa that was completely more-ish. I'll try your recipe because I love feta.

[kim]

Ah, I knew it! Am really curious now :)

[Lexi]

This is all so lovely. You've made my evening. Thanks for all your wonderful writing.

[Debra Helmer]

What, you're gonna leave us hanging??? Do tell...please, do tell !! : )

[janet]

is it wednesday yet?? can't wait for an update, so happy for you, and inspired by your journey(s), hugs and wishes

[merle]

That's a lovely thing.

Still enjoying reading here and so happy for you...

[Heena]

Dear Luisa,
I have missed your writing for the past 3 weeks and the first post I read today had this happy news. Is it possible to be so delighted for a person who lives nearly 4000 miles away and who you've never met - apparently it is! The internet is good for more than just sharing recipes. Congratulations! And I wish you many more of the smiles I sense in your posts.

[heidileon]

Luisa,

I did that salad last Wednesday (no kidding!!) and I cannot stop thinking about it and loving it (omg, that dressing..sigh!). IT IS the next big thing in the world after bread (and maybe chocolate?).

Now, about the boy. hmmmm...... I knew it!. I've been reading your blog for a while and the last couple of post when you cleverly slipped that *we* word, I was like: pardon me? I think we are two!.

Congratulations, I'm SO happy for you and the man in your table and heart.

Cheers to you two!.

ps. can we see a full picture of the suspect? ;-D

ps.2 I'm about to make those haricots with curry. I hope that will be the next, next big thing!.

[Katharine @ agirlinmadrid]

So excited for you! I am ruled by Venus and an incurable romantic.

I can't wait to hear you speak at FBC 2010 next week.

may all of your romantic dreams continue to unfold...

[mai]

oh so glad that you are endorsing the salad, I was intrigued by Deb's post. and Yay Luisa! I'm so excited for you and cannot wait to hear more about your story. Maybe you will shed light on it in your upcoming book? :)

[rach]

Salad made, twice.
I did wonder. Beautiful. Awaiting the next chapter.

[meinkc]

I truly love your blog. Your writing transports me to exactly where you are - the sights, the smells, the sounds - and it seems like a very fine place indeed. I am so happy for you and glad you have someone wonderful by your side to share it with. : )

[amy]

I am very happy for you, dear Wednesday Chef!

[StellaMM]

I had been wondering about the various 'we''s!, I will love to read the story when it comes.

Very pleased that your great recipe came via Cuisine magazine (with adaptations), as a fellow NZer. It has alwasy been a good magazine.

Love to you both.

[dancing kitchen]

Oh pretty girl...he's in the picture isn't he...is he the one with the orange shirt?

[Luisa]

Nope! That's a photo of bystanders at the most fantastic Karneval der Kulturen in Berlin a few weeks ago.

[Alex]

looks good, but raw carrots are not my friend. will figure out how to work around this