On day three of our winter weather odyssey, looking out on the glittering, icy crust covering the snow in my backyard, and knowing we were facing another weather advisory, and more flakes in the extended forecast, I moved into full-on self-preservation mode. If you too are stuck inside with bored kids and an even more bored spouse, here’s what you need to do.
Note–this lunch requires some forethought and planning. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN YOUR HOUSE AND DON’T HAVE THE CORRECT INGREDIENTS–well, I can’t really help you. Be better prepared next time.
Lisa’s Most Delicious Ham Sandwich
Serves 1; can be multiplied as necessary to soothe cabin fever1 slice of delicious artisan bread, toasted (hopefully you made it yourself, yesterday, instead of sledding)
fig jam, preferably homemade, even more preferably–made with figs from your neighbor’s tree
thinly sliced manchego cheese
thinly sliced serrano ham (this is the good, salty Spanish stuff–nothing else will do here. You went to the gourmet store to get some as soon as you heard it was going to snow, right?)Spread the bread with a thin (but chunky, because chunks are unavoidable in good jam) layer of fig jam. Gently lay slices of Manchego over the jam. Lovingly pile the soft, salty-sweet ham on top. Go into a quiet room (a closet, if necessary) and eat in silence, imagining warm breezes, golden sunshine, turquoise-blue ocean–whatever transports you.
Note: this meal is small, but perfect. It’s not about either austerity or abundance, but a middle-ground of perfection that relies more on the quality of the ingredients than the quantity. Follow it with a sweet, juicy tangerine and one small square of the best chocolate you can find. Wash it all down with a cup of perfectly brewed steaming hot black tea, and you will have had a truly indulgent (but perfectly reasonable) meal.