HUNGRY GERALD

BSK was shopping at the Sobey’s Supermarket in the Prince Edward Island Town of Montague. BSK passed the Garofalo display in the pasta aisle (HG/BSK agree: Garofalo is the best pasta brand). BSK spotted a package of potato gnocchi. Believing in the brand, BSK bought it. BSK had never tasted gnocchi and HG did only once; despite gnocchi being on the menu of most Italian restaurants and some French bistros. So, it was gnocchi for dinner last night. BSK made a superlative pesto sauce using walnuts instead of pignolias. A saute of garden baby zucchini cubes in olive oil and garlic was mixed with the pesto and the combination was poured over the gnocchi with a dusting of parmesan and red pepper flakes. Well, the sauce was delicious and would enhance any dish. The gnocchi? Just okay. Once more, HG/BSK were in culinary agreement. It would have been better eating if the lusty sauce covered penne or orecchiette. Gnocchi has admirers. HG/BSK are not among them.

Yes, that’s the brand name–Just Soup. And, that’s what it is Tasty, natural soup (no artificial ingredients) that come in tall glass jars (two helpings in a jar). HG’s lunch today was Creamy Tomato Basil Soup. Best tomato soup ever. Hit the spot as HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home is in the midst of cool autumn breezes. HG accompanied the soup with whole wheat toast topped with melted feta cheese. A bit reminiscent of boyhood lunches (80 and more years ago). HG’s beloved late Mom would mix a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup with a can of whole milk (skim milk was unheard in those cholesterol days). This was accompanied by a pumpernickel and Velveeta melted cheese sandwich. HG misses Pechter’s or Stuhmer’s pumpernickel bread but all of the ingredients of HG’s PEI lunch are better than those in The Bronx of yesteryear. Just Soup is a BSK discovery. One more example of BSK’s thoughtfulness. Responding to cool weather and HG’s handicapped swallowing, BSK has stockpiled a variety of soups and broths (including Vietnamese Pho). Just heat and swallow easily. HG is very lucky to have BSK as a diet supervisor and superlative home cook. Of, course this only scratches the surface of BSK’s talents, skills and the love she extends to HG and the entire HG\BSK family.

The first days of autumn have arrived on Prince Edward Island. No September seasonal hurricanes (fingers are crossed) but chill winds caress HG/BSK’s oceanfront home. Leaves will begin turning later in the month or early October making the Island ablaze with glorious color. As they pronounce it here and in New England, “Chowda” is a leading comfort food in brisk weather. BSK made a creative, super tasty “Chowda” last night. BSK borrowed an element from the New England version (skim milk instead of cream). BSK simmered sliced sea scallops, potatoes, corn kernels, chopped onions,and garlic; capers,herbs in a pot of clam broth, white wine and a smidgen of skim milk. Seasoned with hot sauce, salt and pepper, this fabulous dish was sea and farm goodness in a bowl.

BSK has been buying oysters this year from Julio’s Seafood, an excellent store just a short distance from HG/BSK’s oceanfront Prince Edward Island home. (Julio’s recently expanded to include an oyster bar). The oysters (South Lake, Brackley Beach, Colville Bay, etc.) have been tasty and economical—$1.25 Canadian each ($1.00 US). Restaurant oysters in the USA are $3 to $4 each making them an expensive starter to a meal. Before Julio’s opened this year, HG bought oysters at Atlantic Shellfish in the town of Morell. HG always received great service with the manager hand selecting HG’s favorite large Malpeques. HG paid Atlantic Shellfish a visit a few days ago. No Malpeques but the manager picked out 20 extra large and plump South Lakes. HG had a half dozen last night. A revelation. HG has enjoyed oysters from locations throughout Europe, the United States and Canada (Vancouver’s Rodney’s Oyster Bar is a favorite). So, HG has an educated oyster palate and HG states, without equivocation, Atlantic Shellfish’s South Lakes are the best oysters in the world. A big briny oyster with a depth of flavor and a lush mouth feel. A true taste of the sea.

A young, whiskey drinking HG began HG’s journalism career on the five to one PM news desk shift at International News Service/ International News Photos (both later absorbed by United Press). Then, off to Dubiner’s Bar and Restaurant on Stanton Street (LES) for dinner. Whiskey. Gefilte fish with pungent horseradish. More whiskey. “Cholent” (long overnight simmered Jewish meat and vegetable stew covered with fried onions and garlic served with sour pickles and hot pickled peppers on the side). More whiskey after dinner with raffish companions (cops, bail bondsmen, loan sharks, criminals). Laughter. Colorful stories of crime, sex, corruption, etc. Accompanied by whiskey, of course. Dubiner’s closed at four AM. HG and companions walked to an after hours joint (it masqueraded as a luncheonette). Tipsy (polite synonym for “drunk”) HG had more whiskey and a special (gratis) dish of pieces of crisp fried fish smothered in crushed garlic. With a sprinkle of kosher salt, the fish was sublime (being drunk helped). Staggered off to Second Avenue Baths for steam, eucalyptus room sauna, hot shower, ice plunge, Then, restful sleep in bed partition. Woke to a hearty breakfast and a day and night of news, booze and unhealthy food (7 PM snack was pickled pig’s knuckle, hard boiled egg and beer at the Mirror Bar). So, how has HG managed to live to 92? Credit The Wonder Woman, BSK (best wife, lover, caretaker, cook, handywoman, financial and household manager, and more. Much more. Lucky HG.

HG/BSK are lucky to have a source of fresh fish caught off the shores of HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. The source is Julio’s Seafood, located in the town of St. Peter’s which is only a short drive for BSK. (Juilio just added an oyster bar to his store). BSK is a very good customer so BSK gets alerts about favorite fish. A few days ago, BSK got a hake alert. so, creative BSK cooked a pan of sliced potatoes, chopped garlic and many herbs and spices in olive oil and mussel broth (the broth was a leftover from a previous meal). When the potato mix was nearly done, BSK placed hake slices on top. The fish was steamed and then crisped under the broiler. Once more, BSK achieved a taste triumph. On another night, the fish star was tuna. For years, HG/BSK never tasted fresh caught PEI tuna. Japanese would buy the fish and fly them to the Tokyo fish market. This year, however, some fresh tuna has been reserved for PEI gourmands. A tuna alert for BSK and delights ensued. BSK seared slices of tuna to perfection (browned on the outside and raw inside. This was served over warmed cannellini beans mixed with lemon juice, lime juice;chopped garlic, parsley and dill. HG sprinkled some Vietnamese fish sauce on the tuna. HG declared this the best tuna dish ever. (Canned tuna–Italian or Spanish–mixed with Goya cannellini beans, chopped garlic, olive oil and chopped parsley is delightful when you don’t want to cook).

HG had a very thorough eye examination by a Charlottetown, PEI, optometrist. Good results. HG has healthy eyes (needs eye drops and the removal of lens film by an ophthalmologist). Long auto trips and cool weather left HG needing the warmth of a comfy dinner. And, that’s what HG received from caring BSK. There was “green soup”, a tasty melange of pureed vegetables and chicken broth creatively spiced by BSK and served very hot (as soup should be). It is also served at SJ and wife, Maiko’s Tokyo izakaya, Freeman Shokudo. BSK’s comfort meal also included a good baguette, a mind blowing cheese (Cow’s Triple Creme Bleu); much red wine. HG had the usual dessert of French chestnut puree and whipped cream. A happy comforted HG.

August 26th was International Dog Day, a day in which we honored our faithful companions. Toby, The Wonder Dog, is international (Dual citizenship: American and Canadian). BSK honors Toby every day with healthy meals and treats, grooming; baths in the tub; walks along the shore at HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island home and in meadows and roads in New Mexico. And, of course, many tummy rubs, pats and cuddles from HG/BSK. A pampered pup who is an irreplaceable member of the HG/BSK family. Toby has a very loud and raucous bark, unusual for such a little guy. This makes him an ideal watchdog but a nuisance when he barks at squirrels incessantly. (Also, frightens visitors, delivery persons, etc.). Toby is very smart and loving, but very independent. He will come to HG/BSK only when he wants to but can be seduced by the promise of a treat. What breed is he? Mutt. A paragon of cuteness, much admired by canine aficionados. A rescue dog (once sentenced to death), BSK selected him at an animal shelter. Lucky day for Toby and for HG/BSK (and family).

Sadly, this day of celebration was followed by a big change. Toby was sad. Toby was depressed. Not his usual lively, rambunctious personality. That’s because HG/BSK’s gifted daughter, Lesley R., distinguished husband, Massimo, and their lovely dog, Pip, left Prince Edward Island for their Rhode Island home. They are Toby’s favorite companions and having them at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home has been Toby heaven. Toby is resistant. He will recover. Meanwhile, HG/BSK were joyous at dinner with steaming bowls of BSK’s fusilli with a sauce of cauliflower, zucchini, blue cheese and feta cheese. Lush eating.

HG/BSK are wistful. Gifted daughter Lesley R. and her brilliant husband, Massimo R., leave Prince Edward Island for their Rhode Island home tomorrow morning. So, tonight was the farewell meal. It was an extravaganza. Massimo shucked (with his usual perfection) eighteen briny, plump oysters. With white wine they were an auspicious entree. Wonders followed. First, there were mussels (removed from their shells) in a mustard mayonnaise. These were as good as the amuse bouche that HG enjoyed at the venerable Veau d’ Or restaurant on Manhattan’s midtown east side. (It’s still in business). This was followed by crisp russet potato and sweet potato wedges (they were dipped in a horse radish goodness). BSK fried hake to perfection and there was a succulent corn, pepper and tomato salad. Lovely way to say goodbye.

Sad HG. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., and her brilliant Profesore husband, Massimo, will soon be leaving Prince Edward Island for their Rhode Island home. During their time here, they took loving care of BSK during BSK’s tough bout with Covid. They were irreplaceable. And, there was more. Much more. Massimo shucked oysters, did table setting and dinner clean up (expert dishwasher stacking); made life comfortable and safe for rickety HG; assisted in feeding, walking and other tasks relating to sprightly dogs, Toby and Pip. Lesley handled house management during BSK’s illness and recuperation. And, cooked creatively and deliciously every night and morning ( those corn pancakes created morning bliss for HG). And,all of this was done while Lesley attended to her professional demands (very intense) as did Massimo (not so intense). Happily (weather permitting), they managed to have swims, beach walks and kayak mini-journeys. Last night, Lesley made her unique shrimp salad (light on the; mayonnaise); Asian steamed mussels; sheet pan fried potatoes. And, a lush curry dip for the spuds. The potatoes were tastier than French fries. Cheese. Red wine. Fabulous meal. Again (“Nuch ah mul” in Yiddish).