1. The author remembers a salad from their job as a table busser that had watermelon, feta, and basil, and describes it as a revelation.
2. The author believes that the combination of a cool base note like fruit or lettuce and a salty, creamy cheese accent is what makes a salad memorable.
3. The author reflects on the power of food to bring back memories and mentions a chef who values simply prepared food like pizza and salads with cheese.
When I worked as a waiter during my summer break, I couldn’t help but notice that a particular salad was popular among the customers. It consisted of large watermelon and feta chunks placed on a plate with basil. As I cleared the plates, I often felt tempted to have a taste of the refreshing salad. On my last day, I was given the opportunity to order anything I wanted, and I chose that very salad. I was amazed by the combination of the salty feta and the refreshing fruit. It was a revelation for me. I realized that the contrast between a cool base note like fruit or lettuce and a creamy, salty accent like cheese can transform a simple salad into something extraordinary.
Throughout my life, I have always been drawn to salads that have this special effect on me, and I’ve noticed that cheese is often the key ingredient. The combination of a cooling base with a creamy cheese accent creates a bite that is more than just a salad. It’s like a symphony of flavors, with the cheese playing the higher note that complements the other ingredients. Just like Paul McCartney to John Lennon or Michelle Branch to Jessica Harp, the cheese completes the salad and takes it to another level.
Food has a way of marking important moments in our lives, just like songs do. A good dish, even a salad, has a unique ability to transport us back to different versions of ourselves. I remember celebrating my first food-writing job interview with a glass of rosé and a Caesar salad. The tall stack of romaine hearts generously covered in Parmigiano-Reggiano and adorned with fried parsley perfectly symbolized the significance of that day for me.
However, food is not always about marking milestones, but it can still hold a special place in our hearts. For Adam Baumgart, a 20-year-old aspiring chef from Wisconsin who moved to New York City in 2001, the memorable food experiences were not at fancy fine-dining restaurants. Instead, he found himself drawn to local spots like Gabrielle Hamilton’s Prune and Franny’s, a renowned pizzeria in Brooklyn. It was there that he discovered a love for cooking and eating simple, honest food like homemade pizza and salads topped with cheese.
Food has the power to evoke emotions and memories. It can transport us to different times in our lives and remind us of who we were and who we have become. The combination of contrasting flavors, like the refreshing fruit and salty cheese, can make a simple salad feel like something extraordinary. Food, like music, has the ability to connect us to our past and create lasting memories. So the next time you enjoy a delicious dish, take a moment to relish in the experience and appreciate the journey it takes you on.
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