HUNGRY GERALD

HG forgot to mention, in a previous post, some additional BSK daily and weekly activities — HG heath: BSK monitors HG’s high blood pressure with frequent testing. BSK changes the batteries in HG’s hearing aids to ease HG’s balance and amplify conversation. Pool house: BSK keeps the pool’s water level at the appropriate depth and runs the fan at timely intervals to prevent undue condensation and resultant mold. BSK also waters the plants in the pool house. Sweeps up all debris and cleans pool-house bathroom and changing room. Night: BSK does the major part of after-dinner cleanup including scrubbing pots, etc. And this is after cooking and serving a splendid dinner. Following the cleanup, BSK finally relaxes while watching Netflix (current favorite is the “Longmire” series.) However, BSK’s tasks are not over. Rain, snow or cold, BSK is off outdoors with Toby, The Wonder Dog, for his before bedtime walk. Finally, BSK goes to sleep in a bed where BSK changes the sheets, pillowcases, etc. every Sunday.

BSK got up early to let Toby, The Wonder Dog, out for his morning functions. (Toby woke up early bird BSK by jumping on HG/BSK’s bed and licking BSK’s face. Drowsy HG awoke at 10:30). After feeding Toby, BSK made a big thermos of coffee (enough for BSK and late riser HG). Today, BSK breakfasted on scrambled eggs while reading the latest news on the internet. Next: Laid out a dozen vitamins and medicinals for HG (HG gets much health attention from BSK). Next: Gathered and then tossed laundry in the washing machine and later removed and folded the contents of the dryer. Next: Watered the gardens and spread some compost. Next: Into the BSK studio to check financials, read the NY Times online, pay some bills, read family communications. (Ah, that magic internet). Next: Into the beautiful wine room (Designed and decorated by BSK) to check red wine supply. Running low. Next: Called nearby wine shop, Kokoman, and ordered a well-priced Italian Nero D’ Avola. Taking all of the necessary precautions, BSK drove and picked up the good stuff. Next: Back to studio and yoga mat for online yoga. (Naughty Toby has the habit of jumping on prone BSK). Next: Unkempt HG had a studio makeover from BSK. First, a manicure (no nail polish). Then, a beard trim. Finally, using only clippers, BSK gave HG a haircut. The result of these activities was a neat, handsome old fellow. Next: Forgiving Toby bad yoga behavior, BSK took The Wonder Dog for a long, invigorating walk. Next: Into HG/BSK’s warm indoor lap pool for light weight exercises and a swim. (HG follows for exercise and swim). Next: While HG swims, BSK dries BSK’s hair and body before sipping a white wine spritz. Next: Preparing and cooking a splendid dinner. Tonight, HG anticipates a dinner of lamb kefta, quinoa, roasted tomatoes, fried onions and yogurt sauce (HG is writing this as BSK paddles in the pool). In conclusion: BSK is a beautiful energy machine. BSK makes art—glorious pottery that enhances HG/BSK’s home (plus the homes of others). BSK is not only a talented and versatile artist, BSK does all of the mundane household tasks and does them with style.With good grace, BSK allows HG to revel in deep thoughts and serene contemplation. Yes, HG has a glorious New Mexico life. Without BSK, HG would only be a memory. The country song was written for BSK: “What My Woman Can’t Do, Can’t Be Done.”

Yes, self-isolation has its rewards (as HG has pointed out in previous posts). However. HG misses the food and ambiance (not to mention the normalcy!) of HG’s familiar, casual restaurants in HG/BSK’s New Mexico neighborhood. El Parasol, Sopaipilla Factory, La Mesita are all closed. As noted many times, El Parasol’s green chili menudo has been HG’s lunch favorite. For breakfast or brunch, HG has favored the cheese enchiladas smothered in green and red chili sauce (Christmas style) at Sopaipilla Factory. Topped with two sunny-side up fried eggs and accompanied by warm, freshly made sopaipillas with honey, this is lusty New Mexican cuisine at its best. La Mesita is where HG/BSK went for a down-home dinner: Fried chicken with home fries or French fries (HG has sometimes chosen mac and cheese). In Santa Fe, HG’s lunch spot is Saigon Cafe and its huge bowls of steaming pho. Sazon has been for special occasions. Very creative Mexican cooking with outstanding moles. HG/BSK avoid the hyper marked-up wine list and drink ale at Sazon.

These are terrible times. They are filled with concerns about the health of friends and family. And, worry for those loved ones who are hospitalized with coronavirus or battling the disease at home. HG/BSK are heeding the warning from New Mexico’s Governor: “Stay at home !!”. Much to comfort HG/BSK in self-imposed isolation. Playing with Toby, The Wonder Dog. Admiring the record growth of daffodils and hyacinths in HG/BSK’s garden (tulips will bloom in a few days). Listening to lots of Bach and Mozart as interpreted by Yo Yo Ma, Jascha Heifetz, Pierre Fournier. Swimming and exercising in the pool house (lap pool is a comfy 89 degrees). BSK working in the pottery/painting studio (pausing for online yoga). Walking HG/BSK’s five acres of meadows and orchards. Reading (always a solace). For HG, a stronger cocktail before dinner and more bourbon after dining. BSK drinks more wine than usual. Comfort food: Congee, BSK’s made-from-scratch black bean soup (super); asparagus risotto; vegetable pastas; brined pork chops; chicken in Korean sauce; red lentil soup; pho variation. HG/BSK met in March 1963 (married in July of that year). A 57th anniversary looms. Still together and full of love. That’s true comfort.

Yes, HG/BSK are in self imposed quarantine at HG/BSK’s New Mexico home. This is in response to the coronavirus emergency declared by New Mexico’s Governor. HG/BSK are finding the quarantine quite pleasant. Accompanied by Toby, The Wonder Dog (immune to the virus), there are pleasant strolls on HG/BSK’s scenic five acres of meadows, orchards and gardens (daffodils have made an abundant appearance and forsythia has begun to flower). Prescient BSK stocked up on toilet paper and paper towels at Sam’s Club. Lots of food in the freezer and pantry. Last night there was a wonderful Chinese stir fry of ground pork and vegetables. The night before, there was a down-home Jewish dish of egg barley and orzo with fried onions and mushrooms. Topped with sour cream (by HG) and crumbled Israeli feta cheese (by BSK). An Asian spicy red lentil soup for tonight and thick pork chops tomorrow. The wine room (designed and stocked by sommelier BSK) is full of good bottles. Splendid dining and drinking habits are being maintained. Much swimming and exercising in HG/BSK’s pool house. The lap pool is heated to a comfy 89 degrees. BSK keeps busy making pottery art in the BSK studio. HG, writes, reads and thinks in HG’s office. Only anxiety is the sharp downward curve of HG/BSK’s conservative preferred stock portfolio. However, HG/BSK believes that government and bank financial measures will create an upturn. So, in the meantime, HG/BSK are staying healthy (knock wood). As the wise and wily Hyman Roth character said to Michael Corleone in “Godfather Two”: “Michael, Good health. The most important thing !! “.

HG/BSK have not been alone during this week of coronavirus threat and stock market disaster. BSK’s sister, Noel, and husband, Yossi Martonovich, stopped by for a four-day visit to New Mexico (and HG/BSK’s casita) on their way from Las Vegas to Prince Edward Island. Joy. HG has written often about their Ocean Mist Farm on PEI. A verdant paradise. Raspberries. Blueberries. Grapevines. Apple and cherry trees. And, the ultimate kitchen garden: Mineral-rich potatoes; lettuce; radishes; carrots; corn; pumpkins and more. Much more. Since both are professional equestrian trainers, there are horses, of course. Plus sheep. Not sure if they still have pigs. Noel and Yossi share generously with lucky HG/BSK their produce and meat. During their stay, Yossi cut many fireplace logs from tree branches. Made sure HG/BSK will stay warm during chill early spring nights. Lots of happy dining during the visit. BSK prepared festive meals of spatchcocked roast chicken; Vietnamese pho; cod, PEI mussel and clam chowder; butterflied New Zealand boneless leg of lamb. And, after N & Y left, Rob and Patti Reuteman stopped by for breakfast (they were on their way to the hot springs in Ojo Caliente). For some years before The Rocky Mountain News closed, Rob was the talented business and financial editor of the paper. He made the business/financial section the liveliest and most informative section of the newspaper. As a freelance, he was the major source of news for national media on the revolutionary, impact of Colorado’s legalization of Cannabis. He will soon retire from a distinguished second career as an instructor of business journalism and news writing at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. Rob and Patti gifted HG/BSK with a lush bottle of Old Vine Bogle Zinfandel. Toasted the lovely couple last night with many glasses of the vintage.

HG/BSK may be landlocked in New Mexico, but surprisingly good fish (and Prince Edward Island mussels) can be found at Whole Foods in Santa Fe. Petrale sole is the big winner and the Atlantic cod and “Dover” sole are quite good. Yesterday, BSK scored a thick piece of very fresh swordfish. HG cooked it for dinner using a variation of Jamie Oliver’s Italian recipe. HG cut the swordfish into three horizontal and slender slices. HG cooked the fish on the range in a mix of two-thirds olive oil and one third lemon juice mixed with chopped parsley, mint and garlic. Plus a sprinkle of capers. Quick-cooking to keep the fish firm and juicy. Dusting of lemon zest and a pat of butter. Voila!! A superb fish meal. Served on a bed of buttered orzo and flanked by steamed asparagus. (Ultimate seafood meals will be at HG/BSK’s oceanfront summer home on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. In a few months HG will be shucking scores of oysters, feasting on local sea scallops, mussels, lobsters and more).

When it comes to food and drink, HG is a true multi-cultural internationalist. Witness yesterday’s pleasures. Lunch was Chinese: Congee (rice porridge with mushrooms). Pre-dinner cocktail was Mexican: Tequila, Agave nectar, lemon juice. Dinner was Vietnamese-Thai (BSK’s inventive variation on Vietnamese pho enriched with shredded chicken from a leftover spatchcocked bird and Thai rice noodles). Drank Nero d’Avola wine from Italy. Dessert was Franco-American: Chestnut puree from France topped with supermarket Reddi-Whip. After dinner drink was All-American: Kentucky bourbon whiskey.

Nothing is more flavorless than un-seasoned, raw ground chicken. However, it is the basis of a great soup cooked by BSK last night. The inspiration was the Thai soup, tom kha gai. BSK did a lot of chopping and grating (ginger, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno pepper). Mixed the ground chicken with these ingredients plus fish sauce and salt. Then, BSK formed the mix into small balls and then browned them on all sides. These were placed on the side, as BSK prepared the soup: ginger, garlic, peppers, and cilantro were sauteed until soft. Chicken broth, coconut milk and fish sauce were then added and heated to a lazy boil. Chicken balls went back into the pot and the soup simmered for ten minutes more. With the heat turned off, a handful of baby spinach and lime juice was added, The soup was served over bowls of rice and garnished with chopped cilantro and a lime wedge. Great dish (when BSK makes it again, HG will help with the chopping and grating). This dish was suggested by Gifted Daughter Lesley R. who told BSK that BSK would love it despite BSK’s antipathy toward coconut. Lesley was right. The dish demolished BSK’s coconut milk distaste. Meanwhile, Rhode Island has its first case of coronavirus. As communication director of the state’s largest health care provider, Lesley is busier than ever in responding to media inquiries, etc., etc. HG/BSK are confident she’ll cope.

BSK explored the refrigerator and found cauliflower, feta cheese, blue cheese, grated parmesan, chicken stock, herbs. BSK smeared cauliflower florets with a mixture of olive oil and crushed garlic. They went into the oven for a quick bake and brown. Adding the cauliflower to the other refrigerator finds, BSK constructed a cheesy, creamy, herbaceous sauce. Poured over Rao’s Spaghetti (a very good brand) it was a delightful pasta dinner. (Heat-loving HG used many red pepper flakes ). Even though HG/BSK had ample seconds, there was plenty of sauced pasta left over. So, for lunch the next day, BSK beat some eggs and added them to the pasta. And, that’s how a lovely frittata was born.