Smoked Salmon; A wee delay for Season's Eatings

Some may know first hand; some may have heard....

We've been having a bit of winter on this side of the pond.

We were planning on spending Christmas with our friend in the Pyrenees. I've been watching the weather forecast for the last 15 days - that's how far out the soothsayers put their predictions.

We were planning on leaving today.

For the last 14 days the weather prediction has been good; bad; okay; horrid; beautiful.....

In other words, changing daily, leaving us clueless.

Last night, he called.

Because of snow, we wouldn't be able to park at his house, but would have to park at the top of the village and walk down. He hadn't been able to get out for 2 days, but was hoping for rain to melt it.

That's his house. The village doesn't get any sun in winter, so walking down from the top can be treacherous.

Not to mention negotiating the mountain passes and titchy little roads in order to get there in the first place.

I started checking forecasts.... Looking for something more accurate and local.

I finally found one, in Catalan, of course (like being back in Andorra, trying to read the Catalan). The forecast was for all of northern Catalonia, which we would be driving through, to have snow today and tomorrow. And if there is snow in the lower elevations, where the towns and villages are, one can be pretty certain there is snow in the passes....

Friday, however, had sunshine.... As did Saturday and Sunday.

We changed our plans. We're going over on Friday. Ever so much nicer to drive through the mountains in sunshine than snow. Especially as we no longer have a snowy mountain car.... We now have a dry flatland car....

I'm sure you would be surprised to learn that his house doesn't have internet access (she says, tongue in cheek).

There aren't even phone lines up there - or mobile towers. He has a radio phone.

Why, you ask, am I sharing this fascinating tidbit with you?

To let you know that the Season's Eating Round-up won't be posted on Monday, the 28th, as planned - as we won't be home yet. (It's a day's drive each way, we thought we'd relax a bit)

I will be posting it on Wednesday, the 30th instead.

Sorry about that, but I will get it done as quickly as I can.

Oh.... and please send a link to me at thyme2.kate (at) gmail (dot) com when you're post is up - unless you have already notified me, in which case I have it.

After Foie Gras, this is our next favorite holiday food.

I'm taking over a pound of lovely salmon to our friend - after all, he couldn't get out to pick any up....

Mince (chop finely - see techniques for definitions) shallots and garlic, snip chives and tarragon if using fresh and put all in medium bowl with vinegar, juice and mustard. Whisk well. Add oil very slowly whisking all of the time. It should incorporate as you add it. If it does not, stop adding oil for a few moments and just whisk. Continue until all oil is added. Add salt & pepper if desired. Tear enough lettuce for small salads and put in a medium bowl. Add 2 - 3 tbs vinaigrette and toss well. Taste and add more vinaigrette if desired.

Divide salad and put on dinner plates - off to the side. Artfully arrange salmon by lettuce, sprinkle each plate with capers, add desired amount of olives and serve.

Deviled eggs optional....

And for those who like their salmon naked:

Just use a large enough plate.

Champagne is very good with this, BTW