HUNGRY GERALD

HG/BSK and the Riva clan–Daughter Lesley and her husband, Massimo; daughters Sofia and Arianna (plus Arianna’s companion, Adam)–have a delightful version of the Italian Christmas Eve food tradition–the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. HG/BSK call the meal “Feast of six Jewish Fishes”. New York’s venerable Russ and Daughters  delivered the ingredients to Lesley and Massimo’s Riverside, RI. home. The fish (and fish salads) included smoked Nova Scotia salmon, sable, Alaska red salmon caviar, tobiko, pickled herring, whitefish salad, salmon salad. Star of the meal was the smoked salmon. Obviously, a virtuoso salmon slicer had been at work. The slices were paper thin, thus enhancing the taste and texture. Before tasting the salmon, Lesley made blini topped with red caviar and sour cream–( Reminiscent of the great dish served at the Russian Tea Room decades ago).Super yummy!! Lots of condiments–capers, chopped and sliced onions, cornichons. “Schmears”—horseradish cream cheese, scallion cream cheese. Breads–bialys, bagels, rye bread. HG had the fabulous “Novy” on warm bialys covered with horseradish cream cheese–ate the pickled herring with chopped onions and drank a splendid Massimo discovery—Yuengling’s Black and Tan beer (The sardonic Irish named the drink after the uniforms worn by the British troops who fought the Irish revolutionaries). The smoked salmon brought back London memories of years ago. At the beautiful Connaught Hotel dining room HG/BSK would have almost transparent slices of Scotch smoked salmon before the mixed grill main dish. When HG/BSK remarked on the slices, the waiter said: “Well, sir, the man slicing the salmon has been doing it for 30 years”. Drank port after the meal and opened presents. More to open on Christmas Day. Joy.