HUNGRY GERALD

Yes, it must be admitted–HG can be repetitive and boring. Orzo is an example.  Examine the Hungry Gerald archive and you will find many posts about orzo. All stress the fact that HG is very fond of this small pasta shape and finds it comforting. Last night, thoughtful BSK cooked a big pan of orzo with zucchini, cherry tomatoes,corn, onions, and garlic in chicken broth. Added crisp bacon and lots of spices (picante Spanish pimenton was among them). HG relished two comforting bowls last night. As usual,  BSK deviated from conventional recipes for this dish. Much to HG’s pleasure, BSK made a unique and super yummy creation. Happily, HG thinks there might be enough for dinner tonight, Joy. Okay, unless something startling occurs, this will be HG’s  final orzo post– HG promises.

HG was very fond of the Chock Full O’Nuts coffee shops that once proliferated in Manhattan’s business neighborhoods. Super clean and hygienic. Swift (but surly) service. Delicious food. Wonderful coffee. Very inexpensive. Big favorite of New York’s underpaid working women. A cream cheese and walnut sandwich on date nut bread was a star. It all started during The Great Depression when William Black sold nuts from a stand on Broadway and 43rd. It was profitable so he expanded to a number of locations where, besides nuts, he sold a cream cheese and walnut sandwich and a cup of coffee (the combo cost a nickel). When the Depression ended, Black opened more locations and converted them all into full fledged fast food eateries. The menu expanded and included beef noodle soup, franks, burgers, shrimp salad sandwiches. Baked goods were yummy–Whole Wheat Donuts,  Lemon Cream Pie, etc.. Black hired baseball great Jackie Robinson as vice president of personnel management in 1957–and, yes, the aforementioned “surly” service improved. Meanwhile, Black began roasting his own coffee and the vacuum packed coffee was in every supermarket and was acknowledged as New York’s best (outsold every other brand). It was heavily advertised on radio and tv with the jingle “Heavenly Coffee” sung (badly in HG’s opinion) by Black’s wife, Page Morton, former cabaret singer. HG’s ears have retained the memory.

HG grew up in The Bronx during The Great Depression. For some obscure reason, HG (like most kids of the 1929-1939 era) was urged to be thrifty in elementary school programs ( A nice gentleman from a local bank was the lecturer but, alas, he didn’t give away free piggy banks). It all seemed a bit silly to little HG since HG had no money so thrift was meaningless. Now at age 95, HG is beguiled by the waste not, want not manner in which BSK manages to cook lush and delicious (gourmet ?) meals daily for HG and BSK. Wonder Woman doesn’t try to save money on ingredients. BSK buys only the best and freshest. Keeping health in mind, BSK reads all the information on packaged foods and steers away from the over processed stuff containing chemicals, artificial coloring, etc. (That’s why HG has reached such an advanced age). BSK is consistent. Every dinner (Or “supper”) is superb, served on a dining table adorned with candles, cloth napkins, elegant place mats or tablecloths. Very festive. When BSK makes something extraordinary BSK makes enough to eat for a few days (Saves money and limits clean up time). Today was an example of dining on leftovers and not feeling deprived. Lunch was escarole, bean and bacon soup and dinner was a stew of chicken and lentils. HG/BSK drank much excellent red wine. Sommelier BSK manages to find vintage pleasures at modest prices.

January One–2025–was a splendid day for HG/BSK. The couple are hopeful that this an indication that the Trump reign won’t be the birth of an American version of Fascism. For HG, one of the pleasures of New Year’s Day was watching Ohio State crush Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State is HG’s favoriforte college football team. Gone are the days when it had to solely rely on a ground game–now it’s Airo State. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., and brilliant husband, Massimo  R.,left their Riverside,  RI,, home for HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, home for a 2025 dinner and a celebration of Massimo’s birthday. Happily, they brought delightful doggie companions, Pip and Toby, along. (So good that HG/BSK and L. & M. live a short drive from each other).  Dinner began with chilled white wine toasts to birthday man, Massimo, and continued with a luxurious chicken and lentils stew. (lentils are an essential ingredient for new year cooking—Italians believe they fortell riches in the future). The lush main dish was composed of chicken (thighs and lollipop drumsticks); chicken broth, carrots, tomato paste, lentils (of, course); garlic, onions, cumin, turmeric and pimenton (for a tingle of heat). A wow of a dish–all had seconds–but there was some leftover for dinner tonight. Dessert was Italian truffle cheese and ripe pears. (fabulous). Massimo, the cheese maven, got gifts (including French Cheese Storage Bags). Surprised HG received a very comfy, warm, waterproof cap–a winter essential. A magical day and night. 

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 Decades ago, HG/BSK’s kids–Lesley and Jeremy–went away for college and boarding school. So, when HG/BSK left HG/BSK’s Montclair, NJ, home for an evening out, HG/BSK’s housekeeper, Lucy, would wistfully sigh: “All alone”.  Last night, 95 year old HG was  “all alone” in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. BSK was off to a Providence theater to see the much lauded play, “Hamilton” (BSK said the performance was “spectacular”).  Thoughtful BSK left solitary HG the ingredients for a delicious supper–spinach and cheese stuffed tortellini, ricotta cheese, parmesan, butter, a bottle of pinot noir and Canadian butter tarts for dessert. HG cooked the tortellini, mixed with the dairy products and a bit of pasta water, grinds,of black pepper, and sea salt.  Ate this lush dish and drank the good wine. Butter tarts–world’s best pastry–were the perfect dessert with more glasses of wine. Watched a bowl game on television.Sipped Port. Pleasant evening but HG was happy  to greet BSK home from the theater.