HUNGRY GERALD

BSK’s sister, Noel M., and husband, Yossi M., made a happy stopover at HG/BSK’s New Mexico home on their way to Las Vegas, Nevada. (Hey, there’s a Las Vegas in New Mexico as well, an important town in the early history of the state. It’s the site of a historic hotel, creatively restored). In the gambling and showbiz extravaganza of Nevada’s Las Vegas,Y & N will be staying at their son Erik’s Gladius Ranch. BSK guided Y & N to some of Santa Fe’s great museums and historic areas. An appreciative Noel swam every morning in HG/BSK’s superheated indoor pool. Very comforting in chilly weather. No swimming for Yossi because of minor surgery on an ear lobe. Some of the dinner feasts included a middle eastern chicken dish; Texas chili (fiery and no beans); dinner at Gabriel’s Restaurant in Pojoaque Best guacamole (prepared tableside ); carnitas; sangria and flan. HG/BSK were sad to see Noel and Yossi leave The Land of Enchantment. However, HG/BSK will see them in Prince Edward Island where their Ocean Mist Farm is a verdant delight.

Yes, HG/BSK are back in New Mexico. However, the great food memories remain in HG’s gustatory repository. New Year’s Eve featured a great Armenian (and Middle Eastern) buffet at the home of Ivan and Diane, the much loved Rhode Island pals and neighbors of the Riva family. (Gracious Ivan, who knows much about Scotch whisky, poured HG a superb glass of a rare single malt scotch. An explosion of wondrous flavors). Watched the New Year’s Eve ball drop while enjoying BSK’s delectable “Green Soup”. Once more, the question arose. How can something so delicious be so healthy ? On New Year’s Day the last meal was Italian traditional: Poached cotechino (a large, tasty sausage) and stewed lentils (as a wish for prosperity). When finally back in HG/BSK’s New Mexico home, HG/BSK were overjoyed to see Toby, The Wonder Dog, after HG/BSK’s long holiday absence. BSK prepared a dinner of linguine in a tuna, tomato, garlic, caper, anchovy sauce. With a good bottle of pinot noir, it made homecoming (after a very long day of air and auto travel) very comforting.

No, Rhode Islanders don’t subsist only on Dunkin’ Donuts (though they eat a zillion); Hot Wieners; Coffee Milk; Del’s Lemonade and Stuffies (a concoction only edible after being dunked in Rhody’s great clear, clam chowder.) Fresh seafood (oysters, clams, scallops, squid, etc.) are very good and prepared skillfully at both Yankee and Portuguese restaurants. There is an abundance of ethnic restaurants (Greek, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, Italian and more). An HG favorite is Chonquing House in Providence, an authentic Chinese restaurant. On this wonderful holiday visit with Gifted Daughter Lesley R., her husband, Profesore Massimo R. (who overwhelmed HG/BSK with great wines); beautiful and brilliant granddaughters, Arianna and Sofia, HG/BSK discovered Rasoi, an Indian restaurant in Pawtucket. Wonderful place for a joyous family meal. Rasoi is very innovative and creative. The chefs give the dishes a tweak that makes them soar above the usual Indian restaurant fare. HG’s favorites were the grilled shrimp with spinach and a fabulous vegetarian dish, cauliflower. The description was:”sweet, spicy and golden fried”.It was all of these things. There were exemplary dosas stuffed with chicken and peas; crispy samosas; eggplant (baingan bharta)); Indian cheese and spinach (saag paneer). Adding to the joy was basmati rice, dal and Indian beer. And, the prices are very moderate. HG/BSK will be back.

Rhode Island Spirits in Pawtucket, R.I., is one of the great small, craft distillers. The other is Myriad View, just outside of the Town of Souris in Prince Edward Island, Canada. During HG/BSK’s annual Rhode Island holiday visit, HG has been drinking the RIS Rhodium brand vodka three ways: before dinner: On the rocks; with lime juice; with a splash of Aperol or Campari. RIS distills its vodka seven times and finishes with sliced apples. There’s no apple taste and the vodka has a remarkable flavor and finish. It’s now HG’s favorite vodka, better than Grey Goose and the other expensive brands. Another winner is the distillery’s Grapefruit Limoncello. There is no better after-dinner drink. On next Rhody visit, HG will try the company’s gin. Made with a unique blend of botanicals. HG will compare it with Myriad View’s excellent gin. Let’s chill those martini glasses. (If you are in Rhody, visit the distillery’s Tasting Room and get pleasantly tipsy on expertly mixed cocktails in a lovely, historic setting.)