HUNGRY GERALD

Some years ago, HG/BSK visited Madrid and exulted in the fabulous art museums (Goya, Velasquez, El Greco and all of the other Spanish greats plus Picasso’s Guernica); Scenic parks; Regal architecture and, of course, the food. Wondrous hams. Quick sauteed pimientons el padron (Sometimes you swallow a super hot pepper. Picante, indeed!!). Shrimp in garlic sauce. Fried fish with salsa verde. Tender octopus cooked in many ways, all tasty. And, the best dish of all–Paella, the great combination of rice, seafood, chicken, sausage, and vegetables  BSK has followed Spanish recipes for the dish and it has been okay, but not great. Tonight, however, BSK relied on a Jacques Pepin recipe (with some creative  BSK tweaks) and the BSK paella was the best HG ever tasted (Even better than Madrid). BSK Paella had lots of tasty ingredients—chicken, chorizo sausage, sea scallops, shrimp, vegetables nestled in tender rice enriched with a variety of spices. HG thought there would be leftover Paella for dinner next night. Nope. HG/BSK had many portions and only a wee scoop was left for BSK’s lunch. BSK will make the dish again and will add calamari. Oh, my!!