When you get home, what’s the first thing you do? I have a little habit that Mike thinks is weird and a remnant of how my parents raised me. I like to think it’s pretty normal and not crazy at all. But of course, now that I’ve said that it isn’t crazy, you probably think it is. But it isn’t crazy! At least I don’t think so? Tell me it isn’t crazy…
When I get home, without fail, within reason, I change into home clothes. I like to get all cozy and comfy and shed the restraints (clothes) of the outside world. It’s funny because it’s not like I find regular clothes uncomfortable or stifling, it’s just that I really, really like cozying it up. Plus, if I’m planning to cook, which, let’s face it, I almost always am, I want my clothes to be safe from getting messed up.
Just yesterday, Mike and I were chatting about it (he’s not really into home clothes – he has them but doesn’t need to change the minute he gets home) and he said that I was super weird for having such an extensive home clothes stash. For once I didn’t have a come back that was me mirroring his words back to him. Instead, I told him, everyone likes home clothes, they’re called sweats! I mean, it’s pretty common for people to say that they just want to go home, hang out in sweats and watch Netflix, am I right?
So tell me, do you guys do the home clothes thing? It doesn’t have to be sweats or PJs, I just mean clothes that are dedicated to home. Or maybe clothes that used to be outside clothes, but are now relegated to being only worn at home. Anyway, home clothes have nothing to do with this blistered shishito and burrata bread salad.
Have you guys had shishitos before? They’re usually mild (every so often you get a spicy one) and you’ll often see them roasted or blistered. In Japan, they skewer and roast them – they’re incredibly addictive. I paired them with some giant toasted croutons for crunch, burrata for a creamy counter point, and tomatoes for some sweetness and acidity. With a black vinegar soy dressing, this little bread salad became the ultimate lunch: fresh and comforting, with just a touch of class.
While the shishitos are the star of this show, the backbone is the giant croutons. Yes, it’ll take a little while to toast all six sides, but the toast cube you end up with at the end will be so incredibly decadent that you won’t regret your time spent at the stove.
Happy Monday!
PS -I needed to clarify: Mike doesn’t think my home clothes obsession is crazy. The craziness is how I’ll change into home clothes when we have frozen food that needs to go in the fridge – I’ll just leave the frozen vegetables melting on the counter while I change heehee.
Blistered Shishito and Burrata Bread Salad with Black Vinegar Soy Dressing
serves 2
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- oil for the pan
- 1-2 cups giant bread cubes
- 1 cup shishito peppers
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ball burrata, torn
- salt and freshly ground pepper
Whisk together the soy sauce, black vinegar, oil, and sesame oil in a small bowl and set aside.
Heat up a bit of oil in a not-stick pan and patiently toast your giant bread cubes over medium-low heat on all six sides – take your time and really brown each side. While the toast cubes are frying on low heat, blister the shishitos. Heat a splash of oil in a cast-iron pan or heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat. When shimmery, add the peppers and cook, turning occasionally, until blistered. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
When the toast cubes are done, assemble your salad: divide the shishitos, toast cubes, tomatoes and burrata between two plates. Drizzle on the dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste.
I never fail to change into home clothes when I get home, and it doesn’t stop there – the hair goes up, jewelry comes off, contact lenses out – everything for maximum comfort when I’m at home! I’d change straight into PJs if it weren’t so awkward when you have unexpected visitors..
Anyway, I really just came here to say that I love burrata.
Not weird for me at all. I do exactly that followed by washing my face. At times, even before changing my baby’s diaper! And I do have a separate section in my wardrobe for home clothes. It could be a culture thing too. I think we all do pretty much the same in India.
Now, Shishito has been on my list for a very long time. really need to find some and get cooking.
OMG! How can you not have home clothes?? It is the best thing about coming home (after a shower that is)
This looks so professional! Your plating is like a service restaurant; almost too pretty to eat. Those charred peppers and cheese mountains would be perfect with each other.
We call them house pants.
Now what are good substitutes for shishito peppers?
you could use Padrons! they look remarkably similar to shishitos :)
It’s actually worked the other way for me- my home clothes have bled into my outdoor clothes, and I now wear sweats and fleece leggings way too often (they’re so soft and comfy!). Mmm and I love homemade croutons- they definitely make a salad.
i agree with every single thing you said about home clothes!! especially the part about cooking…which i always am doing as well…need to have clothes that you can’t worry about getting splashed with oil!!….my daughter is the one who gives me the business over “those shabby clothes”….
and as an aside this salad looks really fabulous….beautiful
Home clothes remind me of childhood, coming in the front door after school and Mom saying, “Go take off your school clothes and put on your play clothes.” Home clothes are just play clothes for grow-ups.
Uh, heck yes I have home clothes! Why on earth would I want to curl up on the couch wearing skinny jeans that have been on the subway? Also, without an elastic waistband, how would I eat all my snacks???
(ugh I’m so gross)
Originally in my house these were called cat clothes – I always changed to my outside-the-house clothes just before I left so I wasn’t covered in cat fur and changed as soon as I got home. I still wear “cat clothes” even though our last cat has been gone since the 90’s – soft comfortable clothes that I can spill on.
haha, home clothes are essential. But you can always compromise with PajamaJeans ;) http://www.pajamajeans.com/
I love ‘home clothes’! My parents raised me that way, too… when we get home, we change into cozy stuff! Sweats, t-shirts, pajama bottoms, fluffy socks… they’re the bestest <3
And this recipe looks ah-mazing!
Those are the most perfectly square crouton cubes! And I’ve heard that one out of every 10 shishitos is spicy? So essentially its like Russian roulette peppers :)
I do the same thing. It’s not like I find my skinny jeans restricting or horribly uncomfortable, but when I get home I like to get DOWN. And that means loungewear all the damn time. Especially if the weather’s cold. A solid third of my wardrobe is dedicated to classy-ish loungewear. Soooo acceptable if you’re doing tons of work from home. Waving hello from my cozy-sweatered, tapered-at-the-ankle sweatpants-clad self :)
This looks unbelievable! I’ve never made shishito peppers at home—will have to give it a try.
First of all—YUM. I want this immediately. Burrata with spice and vinegar: Genius!
Second of all—girl, this is beyond normal. Because my version of that typically involves taking off my pants and not necessarily putting any back on. LOL. I mean, that or I put on a house dress. I’m kinda obsessed with house dresses. Tell Mike to put that through the percolater! xoxo
My husband and I both do the “home clothes” thing! We started it when our kids were little and we would arrive home and both change right away to be able to be down on the floor and play with them and cook dinner. 20 years later we still change right after we walk in the door. No, it’s not weird at all but so nice to be in sweats and be comfortable after being in “work” clothes all day!!
YES yes yes omg a million yes’es to home clothes!!!!!!!! The only time I don’t change immediately into home clothes is when I’ve brought food home with me and I’m super hungry and I end up eating at the kitchen counter with one shoe still on or something. xD But also, omg this SALAD! It’s a work of art in all senses — so gorgeous on the plate, and all the flavors are just so perfectly complementary! Shishitos, burrata, a touch of tang from the vinegar… omg. I can’t wait to try this. (AND I can’t wait to SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!)
I do the exact same thing… and I also have an extensive home-clothes wardrobe. It’s definitely a combo of how I was raised, comfort, and also… not wanting outside-world germs from the bus, the street, etc getting all over my personal space!
I totally get the home clothes thing. I think it’s because I had to wear a uniform all through high school, so when I got home the first thing I wanted to do was to get off that tie and blazer and change into my onesie! My sister is the same way.
I am the same way! As soon as I get home from work and know what I am not going anywhere for the night I put my pajamas on and wash my face at 5:30 PM!
I love this bread salad! This looks completely delicious!
my husband has the same habit as you changing pjs right after he gets home, and I gradually was trained to be the same… haha
I have the exact same habit. As soon as I get home, work clothes come off and home clothes go on. The hair goes up in a ponytail and contacts are switched out for glasses. So nope, not weird at all. The home clothes keep the outside clothes clean and wearable.
I love the beakers and flask! Need to get some of those for my kitchen.
Haha this made me laugh so hard. I will bring in groceries and before putting them away go change into my home clothes, which for me, are mostly clothes that used to be clothes I’d wear outside too but now not so much. Glad I’m not alone in this. lol.
On another note, this salad looks amazing. Burrata gets me every single time.
This is stunning and yes to burrata!!
So with you on the home-clothes! Every day when I came home from school, I used to change into my favorite pajama pants/gym shorts. It’s kind of the best feeling replacing your skinny jeans with an elastic waistband, amiright?
This is food photography at its finest!
i LOVE home clothes! i am in the same boat as you – the instant i get home i like to change into what i call ‘my squishies’
i makes eating dinner THAT much more comfortable!
I totally do the home clothes thing and my husband teases me about it too! I just like to be cozy and not have to worry about getting things dirty, haha. I’ve never heard of shishitos, but that salad looks so elegant. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for them at the international farmer’s market!
This is so unique and delicious – I never would have thought to pair burrata with shishitos!
OH MY GOD!!! i do the SAME with clothes! Without fail!! Immediately after I return home from anything, be it work when i’m in professional clothes or jeans and a tee from a target run, I ALWAYS change!! Put keys down, hang up a coat, take my clothes i’m wearing off and put them away, change. For pretty much the exact same reason…I don’t want to gunk up my “good clothes” with food or something…I absolutely love my clothes and would hate myself forever if i ruined or stained them doing something clumsy or careless. My boyfriend lives with me and thinks I’m nuts. How funny that I’m not alone! :)
Stunning photography and the salad looks absolutely delicious! I shall definitely be trying this! Georgie xxx
Ok, I must be weird. I generally don’t change until I’m ready for bed. But I also don’t live in a city, so I don’t ride a subway etc.
But more than anything I like to look nice when my husband gets home. When he leaves in the morning I’m usually in running clothes, so if I changed to lounge wear as soon as I get home, he would never see me in real clothes, since I get home before him.
I realize that I probably sound like a 50s housewife, but if I’m cooking something that could be messy, I just put an apron on.
Not crazy at all! Over here in the humid tropics, everyone changes into home clothes (t-shirt and shorts) the minute they get home. You know what’s crazy? Remaining in your work/going out clothes at home!
Yum everything you make always looks so delicious! Where can you go to find shisitos in Vancouver?
I’ve seen them at Kin’s Farm Market!
You remind me of myself! I can’t wait to get comfy when I come home. I have so many sweats! I also love to cook and found this recipe while searching for bread salad ideas. Another one I found had black vinegar as well do now I’m intrigued. Thanks for the recipe and the fun read.
i love my home clothes! that’s the absolute first thing i do the second i walk in the door. and it’s usually all i can think about for the last hour of work.
NOPE. I change into home clothes IMMEDIATELY. Outside clothes just aren’t as comfortable …
Home clothes..gosh and I thought i was the only one! When I am in my cooking mode, which is pretty much what I really enjoy so try to be in that mode a lot, ya gotta be able to reach, stir, dash to the fridge and back before the pan gets coolish.. So yeah, home clothes are the only way to go.
YES. I live in comfy clothes. It’s not the first thing I do, but it’s what I’m most excited about in the evening! AND! Holy mother of pearl, this is ridiculously gorgeous. I loooooove shishito peppers.