Not-Nicoise, Not-Three-Bean Salad

They had tiny potatoes at the grocery store tonight.

I saw them and my course was clear.

Not-Nicoise, Not-Three-Bean Salad
Tiny potatoes
Package of green beans
Half package of bean sprouts
Can of mandarin oranges
Half a block of firm tofu

2/3 c. olive oil
1/2 c. maple syrup
1/3 c. cider vinegar
3 tbsp. soy sauce
a little bit of dry mustard
a little bit of chopped ginger
a good glob of sweet chili sauce
sesame oil to taste


Put the tiny potatoes in a pot of nice boiling water until they are edible tiny potatoes. While the boiling is happening, cut and clean the green beans, cube the tofu, drain the mandarin oranges (hint: canned mandarin orange juice + fill the rest of a glass with water = nice drink), and mix all that dressing stuff together in a measuring cup so you have time to adjust it to taste.

Once the potatoes are boiled, scoop them out of the hot water and rinse them with cold water in a colander until they're cold. Do not throw that hot water out. You'll just have to boil more if you do.

Put the green beans in, and blanch 'em. Now you can throw the hot water out.

Put all these nice cold ingredients in a bowl, mix 'em up, and drizzle your dressing lightly overtop.

Om nom nom nom nom.

Finally, a meme I can get behind (or: Leah's Extended Food Squee)

Via jbacardi:

Andrew Wheeler posted this challenge on the Very Good Taste blog...here are the rules:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

( The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred )

Take-home morals:
1) I live in Toronto. :D
2) I will eat nearly anything once. And many things as often as I can afford them.
3) Apparently my mnemonic system has to do with what I was eating at the time.
4) I'm knocking ten haven't-tried items off that list this year. And it's gonna be fun.