HUNGRY GERALD

HG/BSK had a preview of the many great foods HG/BSK eat with joy during HG/BSK’s late spring/summer/early autumn stay at HG/BSK/s oceanfront home on serene, democratic Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. PEI is famous for its mussels and oysters. HG/BSK believe the island’s sweet corn is a gift from heaven. PEI’s basic crop is potatoes. They have a unique mineral flavor that’s unsurpassed, (So ubiquitous is the potato that PEI is often dubbed “Spud Isle”.) BSK found some PEI spuds at a local Central Falls, RI. supermarket. Peeled and cut into appropriate shapes, BSK moistened them with a bit of olive oil, dusted them with spices and popped them in the oven. Fabulous. Better than any pommes frites in Paris. They were the shining star of an excellent dinner of veal cutlets (in a butter and caper sauce) plus asparagus from Peru (They traveled well). HG loves PEI and the home he shares with the love of his life. However, HG finds HG/BSK’s super spacious, comfortable Rhode Island loft so delightful (Interior designed with great taste by BSK) HG will leave with some reluctance.

BSK made zucchini fritters last night. BSK was concerned that_–Eeks!! Horror!!–the fritters would cook badly and dinner would be dismal. Not to worry. The fritters (splashed with hot sauce) were fine. BSK made them this way: Grated zucchini and wrung them out in cheesecloth since they contain a lot of water. Added zucchini to a mix of beaten eggs, chopped onion and garlic, parmesan cheese. Fried them to a crisp.and served them with a side of Goya cannellini beans.(HG found Goya management folks were wonderful people when they were HG public relations clients years ago. What turned them into supporters of criminal Trump?). Reliable Bon Appetit Magazine suggests adding a 1/4 cup of flour and a tablespoon of cornstarch to the fritter mix.Other sources suggest salting grated zucchini and let it stand for a 1/2 hour before wringing out the water. Good suggestions. Zucchini fritters are a treat. (They can be dipped in an Asian soy sauce/vinegar mix or topped with sour cream and red caviar or tobiko).

BSK last night cooked a very flavorful dish, a dinner staple in many Pakistan households. It has a euphonious name: Keema Shimla Mirch. The ingredients: Ground chicken; chopped bell peppers; chopped ginger and garlic. Spices include ground coriander, turmeric, cumin, sea salt, red chile powder, green chiles. This melange is stir fried in butter and vegetable oil. When cooked, it is sprinkled with lemon juice and garam masala. Topped with cilantro. (Creative BSK added some reheated red lentil soup –it has many of the same spices as Keema Shimla Murch–to make an enriching sauce. Served with rice. This was a benefit. Leftover rice was converted to tasty congee for breakfast.

HG is a college football fan. HG was a mediocre football player at CCNY. Basketball was the sport at “The Harvard of the Proletariat” (that’s what the brilliant working class students called it). However, HG loves unpredictable, exciting college games (HG wishes the big, blaring bands and the woman-demeaning, scantily clad cheerleaders would go away). The national championship preliminary double header—Michigan vs. TCU and Georgia vs. Ohio State didn’t promise much. TCU didn’t seem to be a match for mighty Michigan. Big underdog. Well, Michigan played the worst first half ever—frittering away scoring chances with bonehead plays, etc. TCU ran up a big lead. Michigan came back in the second half to make it close. But, it was a case of too little, too late. Everyone was amazed. Next game, Georgia, the national champion, faced perennial powerhouse Ohio State. Divided loyalties in the HG/BSK home. Starting in the 1920’s, generations of HG’s family went to Georgia (Brilliant, late cousin Dr. Gustave Freeman started it, followed by HG’s late brother, Bernard, and his son, the late real estate mogul, Paul). BSK attended Ohio State and HG’s late cousin, Morris Howitz, managed the Ohio State football team in the 1940’s and died in a fighter plane accident during World War Two. The game was a nailbiter. Georgia took a one point lead in the closing seconds (a stunning pass play) and won as Ohio State missed a long field goal. HG lunched on ample tofu in mapo tofu sauce. Dinner before the tv was BSK’s Vietnamese Pho enriched with loads of rice noodles.HG had three helpings, enjoying every one. So, it looks like it is Georgia and TCU for the national championship.  Don’t count out underrated TCU.   On Monday watched lowly underdog Tulane defeat big time USC. Wow!! Then saw Penn State demolish Utah with an excellent passing attack.  Miso soup with tofu was lunch. Dinner was sushi (bought at Whole Foods by BSK).  Plus a big bowl of steaming red lentil soup. Cheesecake for dessert. Much fun. Much tasty food. Nice way to welcome 2023.

A new passion: N’duja. This is a flavorful, super hot Calabrian pork spread. Had it last night at dinner in HG/BSK’s Central Falls,RI. Not for the timid. A fiery treat. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., and her brilliant husband, Massimo R., brought it over for our Sunday night family dinner along with tapenade, terrines, cheeses, etc. Main dish was red lentil soup. Lentils are an Italian New Year’s Day dining custom. They foretell the possibility of wealth during the coming months. We all drank a lot of wine and had a jolly time. HG finished HG’s glass while chewing a tasty Ghirardelli dark chocolate square. As for N’duja, HG ordered a jar from Amazon. HG believes it will enhance pasta sauces.

BSK is a savvy and selective shopper—exploring HG/BSK’s new Central Falls neighborhood for food finds. Cod and Olive-is a nearby Portuguese market (not as vast as Fall River’s Portugalia) but with a splendid array of fresh fish, salads, cheese, sausages, etc. Their products were used by BSK for a hearty dinner last night: A stew of cod, sliced potatoes, chorizo sausages, garlic, onions, and scattering of capers. These ingredients were simmered in clam broth, olive oil, lemon juice, dash of white wine- –plus Prince Edward Island hot sauce. Magical food, perfect for a chilly night. BSK also visited the big nearby Stop ‘n Shop and bought the perfect dessert: New York Cheesecake. Oh, my!! As good (almost) as the classic served at Junior’s in Brooklyn. Not content with having a large slice for dinner dessert, HG had a smaller slice with HG’s breakfast coffee.