HUNGRY GERALD

Gifted daughter Lesley R. received  a gift—a big, frozen striped bass. Unfortunately, the fish had not been gutted or scaled. Like her Mom, Lesley meets all challenges. It took some time and effort, but Lesley made the fish ready for the oven–gilded with olive oil and accompanied by a vivid mayonnaise sauce. This was the main dish for dinner at Lesley and husband, Massimo’s, Riverside, RI, home. It was preceded by tasty fried calamari and ended with chocolate cake and cheesecake from a Spanish bakery. The fish was delicious (thanks, Lesley) and the chardonnay (gifted by the lovely Tracy Parsons) was stupendous. A great sumptuous wine. Lesley sent HG/BSK home with a container of abundant cooked striper. Next night, BSK warmed the fish in a sauce of olive oil, fish stock, capers, fennel, tomatoes, garlic, onions and herbs. This was poured over linguine for a sensational pasta dish. Yes, Lesley’s labors provided HG/BSK with a striped bass doubleheader. Good eating.

Bruce Maguire and his lovely companion, Tracy Parsons, visited HG/BSK some days ago (Read the post about that happy occasion).  And, on Sunday another jolly reunion. Donald Kitchen and enchanting wife, Susan, arrived at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI. for a luncheon get together. Donald was a Gerald Freeman, Inc. (name changed to Freeman Public Relations) trainee after he spent some years in the Middle East. A Columbia U. dean (friend of HG’s) recommended him. A happy hire. A brilliant, engaging fellow. He became a partner when HG sold the company to his executives. Donald soon left and founded his own PR firm in Manhattan. (married Susan at that time). As anticipated, the company was super successful before he sold it to his employees and went on to pursue other interests. These included a trip around the world on his seagoing sailboat (he is a world class sailor). On land (his home is in Rochester, NY) he made elegant classic furniture and he and Susan tended sugar maple trees (don’t know where the grove is–upper New York State or elsewhere). Don is a true Renaissance man. BSK’s luncheon was much enjoyed–whitefish salad, halibut salad, BSK’s “Green Soup” (recipe promised); ginger snap cookies and coffee. Spirited conversation and memories. Coincidentally, Don and Susan brought a gift of smoked salmon and whitefish salad. Obviously, we  have similar tastes. Don and Susan are avid cyclists and have had long journeys on their bikes (both are very fit and trim). In June they will be cycling in Nova  Scotia. Luckily, they will ferry to Prince Edward Island and check in with summering HG/BSK. Seafood and joy await before they bike the Island.

Heinrich Heine was one of the greatest German poets and writers. He was Jewish and quotable–“That was but a prelude. Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well” is among the most famous. On a lighter note, after eating a meal at a Jewish restaurant, he exclaimed: “What a noble religion!!!”. HG was reminded of this after eating a wondrous dinner of chopped liver and matzo ball soup leftover from the Passover Seder in Brookline, Mass., hosted by HG’s nephew Jonahathan Katz and his beautiful, super chic wife, Barbara Ito . Barbara is a great cook and is adept at preparing iconic Jewish dishes. She and Jonathan are experts with French,  Italian, Asiatic, and American food. Barbara makes tantalizing desserts. Here’s the mystery. Barbara has a big time appetite and eats heartily. She doesn’t gain an ounce, is impossibly svelte and young. Go figure.