Anyone can be chic
I worried that writing about chic lunches would pinpoint my audience to exclusively “mommy bloggers.” Lets collectively open our minds and explore what “chic” really means.
To be chic is to be in your skin taking up space that is rightfully yours. Whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist, owning who you are and your confidence is what we’re after here. I’ve met a variety of people from different walks of life that scream chic without being pigeonholed into a popular version of the word chic. Eloquence and manners come to mind when I think about the qualities of what makes a person chic. Poise, grace and emotional intelligence are second nature to those who are chic. I am not about to occupy your time by claiming that I’m on a quest to evoke chicness. Honey, I am chic.
It’s human to lose the qualities that embody chicness. It’s an active pursuit to regain them and it takes essential steps to get there. First, I think you have to understand what makes you happy. Oh, did I just write that? Yes, I did. This seems to be one of the hardest things to grasp these days. At your core, from earliest memories as a child, what provides you joy? When you consider this the primary source of your decision making life become more clear. You will naturally let go of things that no longer provide you warmth and satisfaction. Daily plans seem to shift when you enter the zone of “what I want matters and I need this to feel alive.”
What about if the life we envisioned for ourselves is actually the one we are already living? To reach to the next phase in our lives I think we have to recognize that we’re already on our way. Knowing that we have choices to make, observing the conscious and subconscious mind to navigate hard decisions. Put a growth mentality first. Chose that hard thing that seems a bit scary and unknown. Take that chance to feel alive like we used to with audacity. Boldness and confidence is undeniably chic. Cook with an open heart and clean mind. Make a chic lunch.
Beet and Potato Rösti with Smoked Salmon
Sweet, smokey, crispy, soft, tender, bright, and creamy. This chic lunch for two has it all. Not a single thing about this recipe will leave with you bad breath or bad attitude. It’s mostly an assemble and eat scenario but surprising yourself with the composition and effortless nature is rather fun, if I do say so myself.
Serves 2.
Ingredients:
1 large russet potato, peeled
1 large beet, peeled
2T unsalted butter
2T extra virgin olive oil, plus 1T for watercress salad
1 tsp kosher salt
4 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
2T creme fraiche or sour cream
1 tsp capers, drained and rinsed
several sprigs of dill
1 small bunch of watercress
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 large eggs, soft boiled, 6.5-7 minutes
flakey salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Method:
Grate potato and beet, mix, crisp in the pan. Using a mandolin with the grater attachment or the largest grating setting on a box grater, grate the potato and beet into a mixing bowl. You want thinner strands rather than thicker pieces. Mix together until evenly combined. Using a large non-stick pan, heat over medium and add butter and olive oil until foamy and hot. Add potato and beet mixture cooking over medium heat and do not disturb.
Flip and continue cooking. After about 8-10 minutes cooking on the first side, its time to flip. Cautiously flip the rösti and continue cooking on the other side for roughly 5 minutes. Season with flaky salt and set aside on a plate.
Plate it up. Cut the rösti into four wedges. Place two on each plate. Drape the salmon over the rösti in an interesting way. Dollop creme fraiche or sour cream over the top. Then dot with the capers, followed by dill.
Dress the salad. In a medium sized bowl add watercress, lemon zest, juice and olive oil. Toss with flakey salt and black pepper. Give it a gentle tumble and plate it along the rösti. Place the eggs intentionally tucked next to its neighbors, the salad and the rösti.
Do a light drizzle of some finishing olive oil, some more flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper. Chic lunches shouldn’t require any sweat at all.
i think you need to invite guests and tape these. 😍we are available.