Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Water, Water Everywhere...and a Nice Dip

After almost 2 weeks straight working and trying to make up lost time due to the volcano flight cancellations, I came home from London Saturday to a "boil water order." A water main break affecting 2 million households has left us boiling our water for the last 4 days. At least it is water and not oil that is spewing out of the ground. I've spent a lot of time looking for bottled water and found it in dribs and drabs, mostly sparkling water. Untreated water is coming out of our taps and it is all a little confusing. The officials say it is OK to shower with it, but to use hand sanitizer after washing your hands in it. So what kind of ick is in the shower water?? There is a slight fishy smell (ewww!) Dishes have to be washed in boiled water or use disposable plates and utensils. It pays to be creative with one dish meals without ingredients that have to be washed....kind of like camping at home. I had some mascarpone cheese in the refrigerator and organic chives in the garden I could use to make an appetizer. I chopped some of the chives and infused them in olive oil overnight. Using some French bread to make crostini, it all came together with little prep and very little water. It goes great with a sparkling water/juice spritzer, or whatever floats your boat. Cheers!


Mascarpone and Chive Dip

4 ounces mascarpone cheese
3 ounces extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon snipped chives
1 teaspoon pink peppercorns
sea salt to taste

Combine the chives in the olive oil and infuse overnight. When ready to serve, place the mascarpone cheese on a serving plate or shallow bowl and drizzle the chive infused olive oil over it.
Top with pink peppercorns and lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with crostini, sliced French bread or crackers.
Crostini

French bread slices, 1/4 inch thick
extra virgin olive for brushing
sea salt

Put the French bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and brush with olive oil to coat on one side. Put in a preheated 400 degree oven and toast until golden brown. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt.

Store in an airtight container.

Mascarpone and Chive Dip recipe, click here.

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12 comments:

linda said...

good morning diane,
hope the water situation is resolved...

i was debating what to do with the last of my mascarpone...debate no longer!!!

& since i have the BEST sea salt (& have chives) i am soooo making this delightful treat!!!

you are such a positive person!

Zurin said...

Hi Diane, sorry to hear about the water problem...i can just imagine. i hope everyhting is back to normal now.

its a good thing you can eat light..that cheese looks so delicious and classy! to think you cld have such a beautiful dish in teh midst of all that water issue! And blog at that. I wld be at my wits end in ur situation. :o :))

have a wonderful day!

zurin

Deana Sidney said...

We had a boil water a few weeks ago. Problem is, now that most of us don't watch local news or get local papers anymore, and the NYT doesn't put this stuff on the front page... I found out about it 2 days in ... not so good. I feel find but there needs to be a new way to do this! Hope your water is back soon... and what a great way to overcome nasty water... great dip! Love mascarpone.

Melanie said...

I just started having Culligan deliver water to my home. I already love it. I hope your water situation gets solved soon- I cannot imagine showering in something that smells like fish! ew.
That dip looks so simple, the perfect thing to whip out when you need something quick and easy! Thanks for sharing, as always. <3

2 Stews said...

Yes...the treated water started flowing today!! I still don't trust it, so I'm drinking my hoarded water for now until the pipes clear. I leave for Miami soon and then to Paris Thursday, so maybe at the end of it, it'll all be clear. In the big picture this is so minor...just a blip. We need to get the oil to stop flowing in the gulf.

Thanks all for visiting. Enjoy your day!

Diane

M. said...

so simple, beautiful and creative....I have some mascarpone cheese in my fridge and..mmmm wonder what to do with it :) no more....

Thibeault's Table said...

I can just imagine what this taste like. I love mascarpone cream cheese and the idea of it drizzled with the olive oil and chives and sprinkled with pink peppercorns is very appealing.

Hope your water situation has improved.

Barbara said...

Oh dear, what a mess. It happens in Florida too.... I HATE taking showers in that water. I mean, if you're supposed to wash your hands AFTER the shower, I shudder to thing what's in the water! Usually goes on for 3 or 4days here, so I hope it's all cleared up there by now!

Love the idea of infusing chives in olive oil, Diane. It looks delicious!

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

Wish I had seen this before I went to the market this morning! I have the chives in the garden - need the mascarpone. Beautiful photos. Glad your water is back to normal.

Karen @ Mignardise said...

When you can't drink the water, turn to wine.

Glad it's back and flowing freely. Hope yo have another great trip to Paris.

Unknown said...

I'm off to get some mascarpone cheese
ASAP! Who needs water?

ACB said...

Diane -

Your blog is beautiful! Your pictures are gorgeous, and I definitely will be trying some of your recipes. It was wonderful meeting you at the wine tasting on Friday - safe travels given the everchanging volcano situation.

Alex
http://pestadventures.blogspot.com/