If Only I Were European

Lunch is my greatest indulgence. If I could spend more time, calories, and/or money on any meal it would be, without a doubt, lunch. No, not “brunch” which is basically lunch (sometimes early dinner) but with breakfast food.

I’m not talking about pancakes, waffles, and omelets, I’m talking about real authentic sink-your-teeth-into kinds of lunches. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, and yes, of course desserts. Shock! I eat desserts at lunch … I mean doesn’t everyone?

If I had unlimited funds (and no obligation to work), I would go out to a nice lunch everyday. Three courses, a glass (or two!) of wine, and a nice leisurely afternoon with company I enjoy. Too bad I picked the worst city in the world to do this because lunch for most New Yorker’s consists of a muffin and coffee (they eat at 10:30 am), or the mix-your-own salad at the nearest Cosi.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that but … in the ideal world, I would “lunch.” Lunch for me is a verb. Not to be confused with a “lady that lunches” because mine would be a culinary endeavor rather than two Vodka martinis and half a salad on the Upper East Side.

This is one of the reasons why I loved being abroad so much. The day began with a light breakfast, a huge leisurely lunch, which either turned into a nap or an early night at a bar. What could be wrong with this? I think I’d be the perfect European … French? Italian? Spanish?

But I do get the luxury of a some-what freelancer’s schedule. Which obviously means that on Friday night when the rest of the world is “out” … I’m NOT, I’m working! Ha, but lucky me, I get a leisurely Tuesday to wander through Chinatown picking out the cheapest (and freshest ironically) produce and the ability to make myself a beautiful lunch.

Sans vino, I mean I am somewhat civilized, and drinking alone, in your apartment, in the middle of the day? Well, it sounds a little more alcoholic than “fabulous.”

Today I made a chicken salad sandwich without mayo. I HATE MAYO. Gag me. I look at a tub of Hellman’s and I want to run to a bathroom. I get why people like it, its just eggs, oil, and seasoning … but, not for me.

French Chicken Salad

1 chicken breast from a Rotisserie Chicken (get at the store)

4 grapes, quartered

Toasted Pine Nuts (or any nuts you have on hand)

Fennel (thinly sliced)

French Mustard

Olive Oil

Lemon Juice

Salt

Pepper

Combine and add desired amount of mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.