Off The Counter: Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad

We've had a plethora of persimmons this season thanks to friends who must be farming them.  My usual approach to consuming these beauties is simple:  cut, peel and eat.  I haven't experimented mixing them with other fruits or vegetables until now.  Inspired by a salad I ate at Pizzaiolo, I combined bitter greens, roasted hazelnuts and pomegranate seeds with this divine fruit.  The combination creates a dish that's bitter-sweet, a little crunchy and seriously pretty.  A list of ingredients and instructions is provided below.  Take a look:

Ingredients:

2 Persimmons, 1 pomegranate, endive, radicchio, chicory, hazelnuts, olive oil, seasoned rice vinegar, honey and sea salt.

Instructions:

Spread a cup or so of hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.  Peel and thinly slice the persimmons.  Halve a pomegranate and knock out the seeds with a wooden hammer.  Place torn greens in a bowl and top with the fruits and nuts.  For the dressing, combine olive oil and rice vinegar  and then slowly whisk in honey to your liking.  Drizzle it on the salad and sprinkle sea salt on top.

Enjoy!

For those who may be new to Cocoon Home's Blog Off The Counter feature,  I would like to warn you that I'm not one for measuring, especially when comes to a salad and its dressing.  I enjoy adjusting the ingredients to my own taste buds.  So to you I say:  go for it!

Kitchen Update: And The Winner Is...

We made the decision and the Kai Kristiansen chairs are here to stay!  Their angled legs and recessed backs complement the elegant base and brass finish of our Barbera table.  Not to mention the fact that they're uber comfortable and period appropriate for our home.  Now there's a clear balance between the kitchen's modern renovation and our home's authentic mid-century design.  Take a look: Up next is the table top and some [large art].   The dining area is taking a while to come together, wouldn't you agree?

Many thanks to the readers who expressed their opinions on the chairs.    I really enjoyed reading all the comments!

Botanical Inspiration: Wispy Wreaths

About this time last year I decided to make a wreath to hang over our fireplace.  Taking into consideration that our hearth is quite large, I went big and bold with an array of of protea, eucalyptus pods, lichen covered branches and pepper berries (see it here).    This year, I'm inspired by the wispy, minimalist look.  Keeping it big, I would like it to be a mix of seasonal greens.  Using different fir branches, fern fronds and some grevillea I hope to create a combination of the 4 wreaths posted above.  I best get wreathing!

Images:  1./2./3./4.

Kitchen Update: Deciding On Chairs

Last Saturday, Alex and I set out to find chairs to place around our new dining table.  After visiting a few Mid-Century shops we found 5 period appropriate contenders, all of which came with us overnight.  After studying the chairs, both from near and afar, we were able to narrow the options to 3.  One designed by Eric Buch, another by Kai Kristiansen and the third by Ole Wanscher's.  Taking in account their comfort, shape and wood grain all 3 could work in the space and the table but only ONE can stay.  I have my favorite.  Which one is yours? 

1.  Eric Buch

2.  Kai Kristiansen

3.  Ole Wenscher

Many thanks to the folks at Modernaire, Antiques and Modern and Klassik Living for working with us!

The Power Of Simplicity

I often leave books and magazines open to pages with images or texts that inspire or resonate with me on our coffee table.  One of my all time favorites is the cover page of  the November 3, 2013 issue of The New York Times Style Magazine.  The title:  "The Power Of Simplicity"  is as relevant today as it was a year ago when I first read it.

I'm not sure when it became a direct influence on how I've been approaching life lately, but regardless, I'm pleased to announce that I've been applying its simplifying message to just about everything.  The daily expectations I create for my personal and professional life seem to subconsciously prioritize themselves in my mind.  This  allows me to organize tasks more efficiently or remove some altogether.  I must admit I'm not feeling any shame in doing less, I would rather be grateful for the ability to embrace more.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season,  let's  all remember to keep things simple and enjoy the quieter, less frenetic times.  Simplify and allow them to happen.

Happy Thanksgiving!