“But for all this, she was putting on weight; for if she did not eat she drank, as everyone did. From the first sundowner, gulped down hastily to give her vitality after the hours of work, she drank steadily through the evening until she arrived back in her room in the small hours, slightly tipsy, if not drunk. She was only doing as everyone else did; and if someone pointed out to her, ‘You are living on sandwiches, sundowner snacks, and alcohol, you are sleeping three hours a night,’ he would probably have gotten for his pains a dark and uncomprehending stare; for that was not how life felt to Martha; it was a rush of delicious activity, which, however, was just beginning to flag.”
Doris Lessing, from Martha Quest
I’m not a fan of dieting – the industry, the fads, the body policing, the class profiling, or the skewing of priorities that can be seen in the quotation, above. I am a fan of fresh, delicious, easy meals in the summertime, however. This week’s recipe may fit the first category, but more importantly for me, it fits the second one, too. My version of this simple tartine consisted of sourdough rye topped with a creamy cottage cheese (no need to add sour cream) and a mixture of orange pepper and English cucumber. I dressed it with an Herbes de Provence fleur de sel and some freshly ground pepper. My chives aren’t doing that well in the record-nearing dry spell we’ve been experiencing this summer, or I would have used some of those, too. (If you check out the link, let me know if you agree with my assessment that the presenter’s glasses likely date from that record dry spell year.)
Later this summer, I’ll make it with radishes, yellow zucchini, cucumbers, or tomatoes from my own garden. For now, I’m content to use the local produce (from farmers who get their stuff into the ground in a timely fashion, unlike me) that abounds this time of year. A drizzle of olive oil, balsamic, or both wouldn’t be misplaced, but I liked it without, this evening. Next time, I think I’ll rub a garlic clove on the toast before I dress it.
As for dieting, I’ll eschew it in favour of moderation in all things (even moderation) and some love and respect for my genetic heritage – all the little French Canadian women on my mother’s side of the family end up a bit round in middle age. And with that, I think I’ll have a dish of this blackberry basil crumble, which was fresh and easy, too, made with basil from my garden and the accursed blackberries that afflict my backyard.
You can find many other blogged descriptions of this week’s FFWD recipe here: Dieter’s Tartine
One Wet Foot 
I am with you – moderation in all things! Glad you had fun with this tartine.
Thanks! It was fun to write this post, too.
I like your philosophy, Teresa! And all your veggie combo toppings will be wonderful…time to guy some more cottage cheese 🙂
I’ve already got some more in the fridge!
Radishes would have been really nice with this – but I could eat a radish with almost anything (well, haven’t tried them in a dessert…yet…) Your philosophy of moderation is spot on…
P.S. Thank you for the offer of Vancouver ideas – yes, if you have any thoughts on spots to hit for a 1-2 day visit, I would love to hear them. I am really looking forward to seeing more of the city.
I bet there is a radish dessert recipe somewhere…
It’s a pretty nice place, but I’m biased.
I’m not a dieter either. But I agree, I think this “recipe” is an idea I’ll be using again this summer. That blackberry crumble sounds incredible!
The crumble is totally worth trying. I’m considering making another.
Vancouver and dry spell are two things that should not be uttered in the same sentence. 😦 Sounds like the tartine is a welcome break from all the rich dishes we’ve been cooking from the book!
I agree – we could do with a little rain, if only to allow me to ease up on all the hand-watering.
I agree with you on using any mix of veggies on this tartine. I also like the idea of rubbing the
toast with garlic, that always gives it a great flavor. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Nana – you have a great weekend, too!
Teresa, you have some wonderful ideas here on how to vary this “non recipe” or rather “idea of a recipe” to suit your taste and the season!
I believe this is also the first time that I have read a quote from Doris Lessing on a blog – love it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Andrea. It’s good to break out ye olde English major skills every once in a while.
Have a wonderful weekend, too!
I like many things about your Post this week Teresa: your philosophy concerning weight control; Doris Lessing; this very simple and delicious tartine; and blackberries. Hey, I love blackberries. Box them up and send them my way. I know there are all kinds of things we can do with and to a tartine but I enjoyed this simple treat. And, it was filling. I was satisfied when I finished lunch. Of course the raw brownie helped………. BTW, I am sorta new to this raw cooking. It seems you already are on top of the trend. I’m doing catch-up.
Thanks so much, Mary. I’m not sending you the blackberries – they’re the only consolation I have for all the horrible, travelling canes they grow on.
I’m not so much on top of the trend as I am a happy recipient of baked goods from someone who is.
I agree that eating fresh seasonal in moderation is much more interesting and healthy than “dieting”. I love all the tartine recipes in this book, though in between tartine recipe picks, I forget to top my morning toast and cheese with other interesting ingredients. I’ll try to remember more often. I’ll check out the blackberry crumble. We’re spending this weekend with my sister and her family. We picked two buckets of blackberries this afternoon and there will be even more ripe tomorrow. Looks like an great option since we already finished the pie she made. Great post, Teresa!
Thanks, Betsy! It’s been a while since my writing’s been up to scratch, I think. Do try the crumble, it’s really good as is and would be great with a few tweaks, too.
I have never been a dieter and loathe the idea of subjecting myself into emotional torture that comes with diet. Love your philosophy Theresa 😉
Thanks! It is emotional torture sometimes, isn’t it?
Diet is a nasty word, I wholeheartedly agree that moderation is the way to go. Fun post!
Thanks so much!
Oh my,now I am even more embarrassed that I am in the midst of an official (and now documented via post….) diet 🙂 Alas, I can firmly say that I have not behaved in moderation either leading up to, or certainly not during my recent France trip. So a bit of post vacation “recalculating” (as the GPS would say) is a bit in order. Though I would LOVE some of that crumble….. Great post- from the picture, to the quote, the philosophy and of course- your tartine. Enjoy your garden and here’s hoping the weather behaves a bit more in your neck of the woods.
Don’t be embarrassed, Tricia – I’m just glad to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. 🙂
The crisp is really good. I’d recommend giving it a try.
Enjoyed your post Teresa! And I agree, The Middle Way, in all things. I wish I could like cottage cheese. I think its a texture issue for me. Its the only form of cheese I don’t like:( Your Blackberry Crumble sounds divine!
Love the quote of the hard living life. You know a middle aged woman who is a little plump usually has a soft happy face than one tawnt and overly lean who can have an angry glare… that probably resulted from too much denial.
I love the idea of orange bell peppers and cucumbers on this 🙂
I agree with your take on dieting. 100%!
And I am slapping my forehead with my palm for not thinking of rubbing some garlic on the toast! That would have been amazing!
I enjoyed making this, this summer. I am with you and I did not add the sour cream. Moderation is the key.