HUNGRY GERALD

Ratatouille is one of the best and healthiest vegetable dishes. It’s a stew that is tasty hot, cold or room temperature. HG has had the pleasure of eating it in New York, Boston, Paris and London. BSK’s version is the best. BSK roasts slices of eggplant and zucchini and adds them to tomatoes and peppers. All go into a pot with olive oil, stock, garlic, onions, herbs and spices—and cooked into an unctuous mixture, Last night, BSK topped bowls with grilled chicken/feta sausages,As usual, HG gave HG’s serving a pour of olive oil and a dash of hot sauce.  It was a perfect winter supper at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.

This is a chunky pasta shape—like a fat penne. Last night, BSK cooked it with a tasty broccoli sauce—broccoli, chicken broth, garlic, onions, peppers, olive oil, peppers, The dish. was showered with grated. Parmesan and ground black pepper, HG gave HG’s portion a splash of olive oil plus hot sauce. Great eating on a winter night at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.

Ground chicken is the basis of many of BSK’s creative and comforting suppers. A few nights ago, BSK pleased HG with a lush stew of ground chicken,  sweet potatoes, beets and lentils; coconut milk ,onions, garlic, a splash of olive oil and a dash of hot sauce. Happy eating at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.

BSK found an eggplant in the fridge and this inspired BSK to make a creative and savory Eggplant Lasagna. BSK peeled and sliced the eggplant (horizontally) and dipped the slices in an egg and flour batter and fried them to crispness in an olive oil slicked cast iron pan. They were removed from the pan and replaced by.ground pork, finely chopped garlic and onion (more olive oil) which was stirred until fully browned. Then the “lasagna” was assembled. in a baking pan —- A slice of eggplant dotted with ground pork, onions, garlic and a slice of mozzarella (five such layers). The pan was filled with chopped San Marzano tomatoes and placed in the oven until the cheese melted and sauce bubbled. A generous dusting of parmesan, lots of ground black pepper and a splash of hot sauce at the table (HG added more olive oil to  HG’s plate). Another wondrous supper at HG/BSK’s  Central Falls, RI, loft.

HG/BSK have survived a record Rhode Island blizzard—more than three feet of snow fell. Wet snow covered the windows of HG/BSK’s Central Falls loft.  Today (Tues, Feb 24) is sunny and the window snow has melted and sunshine is pouring into the interior. However, almost everything has closed down as the Providence area thies to dig its way to road safety, Given the hills of snow, this should take two or three day. Mother Nature can be a bummer.

HG/BSK are lucky to have a generous and talented person who lives (with a companion) in the floor above HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.   He cooks up generous amounts of tasty food—more than he and his companion can manage. Last night, he left warming and savory soup for HG. BSK received sauteed chicken breasts in lemon butter sauce. This was accompanied by an unusual shredded vegetable salad. The kind man won’t accept any form of payment—money, bottle of wine, etc. His comment: “Hey, it will all go to waste if you don’t eat it”.

RAO is a legendary Italian restaurant in Manhattan’s East Harlem neighborhood. It’s not open to the public—really a club for prominent New Yorkers. However, the food–pastas, sauces, soups, etc–can be ordered online under the RAO’S label. Everything is high quality, authentic and delicious. Last night. HG was alone in HG//BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. BSK was off to a theater with daughter Lesley Riva, HG heated RAO’S Italian Wedding Soup (steaming bowl contained barley, vegetables, beef broth., herbs, etc.).  HG enriched the soup with olive oil, grated parmesan and Frank’s Hot Sauce. A comforting supper—But HG missed BSK’s beautiful presence at the dinner table.

There are few suppers more comforting than BSK’s linguine in cauliflower sauce. BSK chops the vegetable into tiny pieces while retaining  large nuggets. Moistened in a garlic sofrito, this creates a happy mouth feel. HG gave his bowl a splash of olive oil, spoonfuls of parmesan and a pour of hot sauce. Joyous eating in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.

BSK made a sofrito of onion, garlic, fish broth and parsley. BSK cooked orzo and added them to the pan with feta cheese, parmesan and large shrimp. This was one of the best shrimp dishes HG ever tasted. The hearty combination of cheese, shrimp and small shaped pasta was fabulous. A very memorable  supper on a cold, cold night.                                                                                                           

Daughter Lesley and husband Massimo came for supper at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. They brought a giant clam pizza to be shared by them and BSK. Thoughtful Lesley and Massimo were aware that HG would have difficulty in swallowing the pizza. So, they brought wonderful  Chinese food for HG from Chengdu Taste restaurant. Glorious dishes: Hot and sour soup; Mapo  Tofu; eggplant in garlic sauce; dumplings in hot sauce, Wow!! HG relished the food and an icy beer. There was enough left over for lunch the next day. A lavish gift.