.: evil jungle prince :.

Mom is visiting this week for the holidays, so I've been thinking hard about what types of food that everybody can enjoy. The holidays also allow for a little free time in the kitchen to do some experimenting, which I always enjoy. This meal was the result of these energies: Greek fried fish in olive oil with a skordalia sauce and Turkish dandelion green salad.

Turkish Dandelion Greens Salad

This dish was easy and was prepared in advance, as its served cold. (This dish's preparation, although Turkish in origin, is strikingly similar to Korean food. Just as garlic and salt would be used in Korean cooking, sesame oil is swapped out in favor of lemon juice.) The taste of these greens is slightly bitter but very pleasant!

1. Blanch the dandelion greens in boiling water for a few minutes until soft.

2. Remove and rinse with cold water. Squeeze out excess fluid.

3. Combine with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice to taste.

4. Place into rerfrigerator and chill until ready to serve.

Skordalia

Skordalia is another easy portion of this dinner which was prepared in advance. It provides a starch base for a protein dish and is also a great way to use up stale bread. It's also an interesting and delicious alternative to the standard rice or potatoes.

1. Soak stale white bread in water, crusts removed.

2. Squeeze out excess fluid and place into food processor, together with two cloves of sliced garlic.

3. On a slow setting, puree, adding olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to taste.

Greek Fried Fish in Olive Oil

This fish may look terribly unhealthy but in reality it's fried in olive olive. So don't feel guilty.

1. Combine 1 scant cup of flour, some salt, pepper, 1 tsp olive oil, and 2/3 cup warm water. Fold in one egg white. Allow the batter to sit for one hour.

2. Place white fish into batter, then dust with plain white flour.

3. Fry fish in olive oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until crispy.

Be sure to garnish everything at the end with some Italian parsley and fresh lemon slices for color and in case guests would like more citrus taste on the fish.

I would say this combination of foods was successful; everybody finished their plates except for mom, who did not eat all of her dandelion greens. She did not say so, but I think they were a little too bitter for her taste. I jokingly told her she was not allowed to leave the table until she finished eating them. Isn't role reversal great?

And what have you been eating for the holidays?