Thyme After Time: Simply Dinner

Pickled Onions

Rustic Potato Salad

Studies have shown that if you eat a combination of Vegetable A in mass super quantities along with Vegetable B (raw and unfiltered) cooked only in a virgin organic apricot oil (only the kind grown in Peru) and served at the nearest volcano at midnight on the 5th full moon of the year, you make look 3 days younger. You may also lose an extra .5 lbs due to climbing a volcano with a bag full of carrots or whatever the newest healthy vegetable may be. Be careful...vegetable A may change at whim and become untrendy at any moment, so climb fast! Further studies show that although something may be healthy one day, there's a study already done or soon to be done that shows the exact opposite.

Just to be on the safe side, until all studies are conclusive, my recommendations are as follows:

1. Do not eat. We have no idea what is safe and what isn't. We need to do more studies, so until we figure it all out we should probably wait.

2. Do not drink. Once again, although it's very important to remain hydrated, we can't be sure how safe the water is or if it even really is water anymore. The jury is also out on the safety of the drinking vessel. Of course, using your hands for absolutely anything, including drinking water (or mixing food) is not advised.

3. Do not breathe. Our air is polluted. Newly built homes are so airtight, they hold in all of the paint fumes and builder's chemicals while keeping out the fresh air. Oh, wait, I just read a study that states we no longer have fresh air. It is not safe to go outside and breathe. Further studies are needed.

OR
Let's take a break from "The Studies" and let you in on a secret...

The closer anything is to it's organic state, the better it is for you.

That's it. I have no studies to back that up. It's my own personal philosophy.
It's simple. It's words I try to live by.
So for tonight's dinner, let's do simple.
Homemade Rustic Potato Salad and a Cheeseburger with Pickled Onions
simple, honest and to the point
(PS...Ok, I did grind my own meat, so does that still qualify as simple? Well, it's simply from one cow and not mass quantities of cows placed into a grinder because studies show....)

Pickled Onions

adapted from David Lebovitz's Recipe

One Red Onion

Allspice Berries

Black Peppercorns

Bay Leaves

Dried Red Chili Pepper

Vinegar

Sugar

Slice onion

Place all ingredients in a saucepan (except the onion) and heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the onion and simmer 30 seconds.

Place in sterilized jar, making sure onions are covered with vinegar.

Store in refrigerator.

Rustic Potato Salad

It doesn't take much to make a potato salad. I remember growing up, hearing my mom complain about how long it took to cut up everything. It really doesn't take that long at all. The only thing that may take a while is waiting for the potatoes to soften, but you can always boil them ahead of time and then slice them when you're ready.

After growing up with this potato salad, I was never able to enjoy anything from the grocery store that was premade. There's an amazing difference with anything that's fresh or processed. It's so worth the extra little bit of time it takes, and in the end, even though potato salad isn't exactly a health food, it's healthier than the other stuff.

When making the potato salad, I usually keep the ratio of potatoes to eggs the same 1:1