HUNGRY GERALD

Butter tarts are Canadian. HG has never seen them in USA groceries. They are round crusty pastries that enclose a filling close to pecan pie. There are two types–pecan or plain. They are incomparable—lush and sweet–but not too sweet. They are a perfect dessert (HG sometimes tops them with a small scoop of ice cream). Splendid at breakfast with coffee. HG/BSK delight in their Prince Edward Island family home–oceanfront location provides panoramic views of the sea and sunsets. And the pantry is stocked with butter tarts. Yes, it’s good to be in a gentle, diverse democracy.  When HG/BSK return to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft they miss the sweet treats. They make do with the excellent babkas from a talented local baker.     

For some reason (old age??) HG collects a super abundance of ear wax. This makes the ancient fellow deaf. Now residing with BSK in the family oceanfront home (super sea views and sunsets) on serene, democratic Prince Edward Island,  HG wants to converse with BSK and hear her silvery voice. With that in mind, HG went to the hospital in the town of Montague, A very competent nurse  used a suction machine to remove the wax. It took a long time because–wow–there was much wax. Good result. HG can hear!! Might still need hearing aids—but why wasn’t this done years ago? Go figure.

During the 1950’s, economical HG ate very well at New York’s Chinatown restaurants. Decor was minimal. Waiters were surly. However, the chefs were talented and creative. HG and financially challenged pals would enjoy weekend feasts for as little as $2.00-$2.50 a person (granted that, based on inflation, $2.50 then is equivalent to $33.50 now). A favorite restaurant in this price range was possibly called Yuet Sun (???). HG recalls a typical meal: Pork liver. Shrimp In black bean sauce. Eggplant in garlic sauce. Chinese Broccoli. Pork Lo Mein. Pork fried rice. Steamed fish filets. Unlimited white rice and tea, of course. Almond cookie for dessert. It was all delicious. This was followed by an espresso at Cafe Roma in Little Italy nearby–and maybe a lush Cannoli if feeling prosperous. “Yes, those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end”). This was a song summing it up.

Yes, hours before the dramatic game seven between the Pacers and Thunder, HG had a mind change. HG wants the Thunder to win. The reason: HG had just learned that MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian. He was born in Toronto and lives in the Ontario province. He was on the Canadian Olympic team–he’s a Canadian patriot and proud of his democratic country. HG spends many happy Canadian months at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home (panoramic sea views and sunsets) on green, gentle, diverse Prince Edward Island. BSK is Canadian—born in Ottawa and spent childhood years in Sarnia. She is the love of HG’s life (married 62 years)—without her dedicated 24/7 care and love, HG would long be dead or doomed in a nursing home. Because of BSK, HG is 95 and a fervent fan of her and the great Gilgeous-Alexander. Win, Shai–Win!! And he did.

HG would watch NBA playoffs during the Larry Bird, Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Willis Reed and Magic Johnson years. Didn’t watch for a while but did some Stephan Curry viewing. However, this current playoff has HG mesmerised. Sunday night is the climax—Pacers vs. Thunder–score is 3-3. Thunder has been the favorite—they are probably the best team in the NBA. But, the Pacers keep coming back and coming back. Very much like an injured Reed leading the Knicks to a championship yesteryear. HG will be rooting for the Pacers but if HG was betting, HG would go with the Thunder. .Won’t be a thriller, HG predicts. One team will be hot. The other–not.. We will see.                                                                                                                                         ……

When Castro took power in Cuba, many Chinese restaurateurs migrated to the United States. That’s how New York became the home of Cuban Chinese restaurants. They were located on the upper west side and in the neighborhood around the George Washington Bridge. They’ve had a surprising longevity–outliving Castro and still turning out remarkable food at affordable prices. HG often ate at the Washington Heights eateries. Favorite dishes: Cubano sandwiches. Avocado and orange salads. Butterflied fried shrimps. Moros y Cristianos (black beans and white rice). Cuban pot roast and chopped pork dishes. The meal ended with black coffee–very strong and very good. HG doesn’t recall any desserts. In any case, HG would be too full to order any. 

Hake is a fabulous fish. BSK is a fabulous cook. When they get together in the kitchen HG is rewarded with a dazzling supper. HG has often written about hake, a fish first encountered decades ago in Madrid. For some obscure reason, one doesn’t see hake on American restaurant menus. Go figure. Knowing BSK’s tastes, HG/BSK’s local fish merchant on Prince Edward Island (HG/BSK have an oceanfront home there) is Julio. He phoned BSK and told her he just got a delivery of sparkling fresh hake. Good news. BSK covered a sheet pan with asparagus, red peppers, onions and garlic and gave it a splash of olive oil and lemon juice. It went into the oven and when the menage softened, the hake filets went on top and baked briefly. BSK’s timing was on point. The asparagus were firm and delicious and the hake–ah, the hake–was succulent. Spectacular eating. This was accompanied by rice flavored with turmeric and a bit of saffron (cannellini beans were mixed with the rice). HG/BSK drank a hearty red wine and had Canadian butter tarts for dessert. HG/BSK basked in the satisfaction of having a great supper in a gentle, diverse democracy.

BSK grows much sorrel in the kitchen garden of HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. The sorrel abundance is the basis for delicious suppers. Last night, the evening meal started with fabulous warm sorrel soup. When chilled to the verge of iciness, the soup is (in Yiddish) called “schav”. During warm weather, HG’s late Mom would top bowls of this refresher with a dollop of sour cream. Flanked by a boiled potato, it was the best summer lunch. After the soup starter, BSK served a salmon filet smothered in BSK’s lush sorrel sauce and a favored companion—a baked sweet potato (drenched in much butter by HG). Happily, BSK cooked the salmon in Paris style–medium rare. This way, the salmon flakes into silkiness. Well done salmon is tasteless. HG/BSK drink red wine with salmon  because it goes well with strong flavors. Last night, the wine was a tasty (and relatively inexpensive) Canadian wine from the province of Ontario.

HG/BSK are very lucky to have Julio’s Seafood Shop minutes away from HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home (spectacular sea views and sunsets). Julio’s is located at St. Peter’s Landing and stocks a dazzling variety of fish and shellfish.  Julio’s contains an oyster bar where HG hopes to devour a dozen shucked specimens accompanied by chilled white wine. BSK shopped at Julio’s yesterday and brought back an abundance of steamer clams (not a speck of sand after a Julio rinse) -plus big, juicy shrimp cooked by Julio. These ingredients made a taste tingling supper. BSK knows how to cook steamer clams so they are an unbeatable sea treat. HG  dipped the clams in broth (not necessary because they were so clean) and then in melted butter enriched with a few drops of Tabasco. Gourmand bliss. This was followed by a shrimp and cannellini bean salad mixed with a multitude of herbs from BSK’s kitchen garden.  Wow! HG finished the meal by drinking the savory clam broth with a squeeze of lemon.  It was a perfect summer supper.

TOBY, The Wonder Dog, is HG’s beloved companion.  Here on Prince Edward Island, the site of HG/BSK’s oceanfront home (sea views and sunsets), Toby and Pip (daughter Lesley and her husband Massimo’s charming female dog) sleep in HG/BSK’s bedroom (L. & M. are in Padua, Italy). Silent  sleepy dogs provide convenient wake ups. Toby is very alert to the dangers confronting HG (infirm and 95-years old). If there are any signs of a mishap, Toby is at HG’s side, barking loudly for help. Splendid guardian. Toby is a small dog with a big appetite. He always wants a nosh. When HG dines at table, Toby is on the floor at HG’s side, alert for any crumbs. He also looks at HG with big imploring eyes. The message: “You are a big guy. I’m a famished little dog. Give me some of your food.”). In times past, HG gave in to Toby’s eloquent beseeching and fed him morsels from the table. Angry objections from BSK. You will make the dog ill, BSK accused. So, no more table treats for The Wonder Dog. But, he still guilt provokes HG.