HUNGRY GERALD

Yes, HG (after 58 years of marriage) is still in love with BSK. Yes, the heart has its own mysterious passions. But, on an objective level (HG can obtain some level of objectivity about the wondrous woman), BSK deserves every bit of HG’s admiration and romantic proclivities. Certainly, without BSK’s concentration on every aspect of HG’s health and wellbeing, the 92-year-old would long be dead. Instead, HG enjoys life, BSK’s intellectual curiosity, creativity, wit, and energy. And, cuisine, of course; a tasty (and healthy treat) every night. BSK was a beautiful child, a beautiful young woman Motherhood enhanced BSK’s looks. Now, at age 80, BSK is a mature hottie, looking decades younger. Slender. Svelte. Stylish (super chic in clothes that fit after being bought years and years ago). Yes, BSK exercises daily, walks and hikes with Toby, The Wonder Dog; moderate in eating; rarely consumes fat or sweets. However, HG knows BSK’s diet secret. On a daily basis,BSK eats peanuts, peanut butter and pickles (sometimes all three). Dessert: dry mango slices. HG will admit that genes may play a role in BSK’s perpetual radiance.

BSK had a pound of lean ground lamb on the kitchen island in HG/BSK’s New Mexico home. BSK’s plan was to make kefta. These are Moroccan cigar shaped lamb burgers. The ground lamb is mixed with chopped onions, garlic, parsley and a host of Middle Eastern spices (cumin is foremost). BSK pan fries or oven broils them to a pink and juicy lushness. Served with pita and a yogurt sauce (Greek yogurt mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, zaatar, sumac, cumin, Spanish pimenton), you’ve got a zesty dinner. Sliced kumatos and sweet onions are the accompaniments plus lots of red wine, natch. However, BSK decided to go in another direction, a challenge to Texas chili. BSK discovered a recipe from a favorite French chef, Pierre Franey: Ground lamb with lentils chili. Ingredients: browned ground lamp, garlic, celery, crushed canned tomatoes, New Mexico chili pepper powder, chopped red peppers, jalapenos, chicken broth. Instead of lentils, BSK substituted Goya cannelini beans, Knowing that HG likes picante chili, BSK doubled up on the jalapenos. The result was a fiery, savory chili with fleeting hints of Morocco. Much better than beefy Texas chili thickened with masa flour.

The word “supper” is derived from the French word for soup. And, that’s why the French often have soup (plus baguette, cheese, salad) for the evening meal. So, call it what you may, “supper” or “dinner”, HG chooses soup (plus crackers and cheese; avocado salad.) HG is blessed. BSK makes great soups and buys some splendid ones at Whole Foods. A BSK specialty is “Green Soup”. The wondrous woman boils (in chicken broth) leftover greens from the fridge (plus some broccoli,garlic and tons of herbs). Adds spices and purees it with an immersion blender. HG is looking forward to it tonight. BSK’s invention is so tasty that SJ and wife, Maiko, have put it on their izakaya restaurant, Freeman Shokudo, in Tokyo. It’s a big hit with their Japanese customers. Another BSK specialty is congee or “jook”, The rice porridge that’s a favorite throughout Asia. BSK cooks leftover rice in stock with lots of grated ginger. HG likes to add tofu, sesame oil and chili oil to a steaming bowl. The soup and congee make savory and very inexpensive meals. BSK is not only creative, BSK is thrifty.

Rodney’s Oyster Bar in the Yaletown neighborhood of Vancouver has been a favorite of HG/BSK ever since they first came to Vancouver. So, it was fitting that this was the place where HG/BSK joined SJ, Exquisite Maiko , Handsome (and hungry) Grownup Haru, Adorable Teru, for a farewell feast. Dined on oysters, steamed mussels, Dungeness crab. Perfect dark beer and dry white wine. (HG indulged in dessert: Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding). As usual, everything at Rodney’s was superlative;. But, it had a bittersweet overtone. That’s because SJ and family left the next morning for the almost 10 hour flight back to their Tokyo home and their izakaya restaurant, Freeman Shokudo. It has been a glorious two week family reunion. HG/BSK’s Gifted Daughter Lesley R. joined the reunion for a brief three days. HG’s daughter Victoria and husband Marc Meyer intended to come to the reunion but a Victoria bike accident prevented it (thankfully, she’s healed). SJ’s lifelong pal, Jon Small, and son, Elijah, made appearances, however. (Elijah seems to have inherited the Small family musical talents). Yes, it was sheer heaven for HG//BSK to spend time with the Tokyo family. Much fun, laughter, food (smoothies by Teru and home cooking by SJ and BSK). Been too long that the whole family has been together. However, there’s a possibility for another reunion this summer on Prince Edward Island. (Hopefully).

HG has always enjoyed Greek food. In younger days, financially challenged HG often ate at Poseidon Restaurant on 8th Avenue in Manhattan. Usual meal was avgolemono soup with rice, spinach pie and retsina wine. Total cost (with tip): $1.50 (this was in the late 40’s and early 50’s). Restaurant is long closed but the long running Greek bakery, Poseidon, still flourishes on Ninth Avenue. HG was a frequent customer for baklava when living on the Upper West Side and Montclair, N.J. In later years there was a good Greek eatery on the street next to the Midtown Bus Terminal. HG ate there often in the 1960’s when commuting to a summer home in New Paltz, N.Y. Once, Mel Brooks and pals sat down at an adjacent table while HG was enjoying Moussaka. It was the 60’s and HG had very long hair. Brooks decided that HG was Boris Thomashefsky, a star of the Yiddish theater. HG acknowledged he was the son of the actor and was continuing the theatrical tradition. Hilarious Yiddish conversation with Brooks. (Ah, if only HG had a recording).

In Woody Allen movies (and some Seinfeld episodes) delivered Chinese food is eaten with pleasure. This is not to HG’s taste. Flavors are lost. Reheating, either stovetop or microwave, turns everything to mush. Last night, SJ brought Malaysian restaurant dishes to the Vancouver rental apartment for family dinner. HG found it inedible. Also, attempts to swallow dried out fish resulted in particles being lodged in HG’s throat (as noted in other posts, HG has to be cautious in swallowing because of throat constriction due to cancer surgery some decades ago). Much coughing and discomfort. HG’s struggles do not enhance the dining experience for others. Gifted Daughter Lesley R. rescued HG by heating and straining very good (and piquant) Laksa broth. HG drank it with gusto, washed down with Korean soju and beer chasers (noting soju’s dizzying effect, SJ watered down HG’s glass considerably. Wise move. No tumbles for HG. HG’s opinion: The only takeout food that retains its integrity is the Menudo (tripe stew) from the Tex-Mex restaurants near HG/BSK’s New Mexico home. Cures hangovers and freezes well. Drawback: Can’t be consumed too often since it is very high in cholesterol.

The ultimate destination for gourmands in the very food conscious city of Vancouver is Oyama Sausage Company located in the colorful and busy Granville Island Public Market. Oyama is owned and run by French Canadians. They sell their own creations. Among them are the best, silkiest duck pates (truffle, mushroom, etc.). They’ve been a staple at the family reunion dinner table. HG favors their garlic head cheese and coarse ground “Pate Parisienne.” In season, they make a coarse ground pheasant pate (the stuff dreams are made of). In cold weather months Oyama cooks voluminous amounts of addictive cassoulet. Also featured are a stunning variety of sausages, ham, salami and sliced meats including tongue and Bavarian leberkase. And, there’s cheese. French, Italian, English, Canadian flavors in peak condition. Oyama is heaven.

Wonderful gifted daughter, Lesley R., is fond of dim sum so the family couldn’t let her leave Vancouver without a dim sum feast. Living in the Providence, R.I., area, Lesley has lots of Asian and other international foods at her disposal. Oysters, fish, squid, clams, mussels come from the waters surrounding the Ocean State. (The clams and squid are incomparable). And, given the large Italian and Portuguese populations, there are excellent shops and restaurants specializing in the cuisine of the countries. But, dim sum? For that you have to travel to Boston’s Chinatown (the trip can be arduous because of traffic). Before Lesley arrived in Van for the glorious family reunion,(HG/BSK,SJ/Maiko/Haru/Teru), dim sum was the menu at the much touted Western Lake Seafood Restaurant on Victoria Drive. Huge dim sum steamed and fried dishes (shumai and crystal prawn dumplings as big as softballs). Relatively inexpensive. Family was not impressed. So, for Lesley , the dim sum destination was Dynasty Seafood, an upscale restaurant in West Vancouver. Great choice. Fabulous food. Much creative variety. HG’s favorites were the black truffle dumplings, beef balls, prawn and chive dumplings (sticky rice looked spectacular but HG was too full to try). HG and Haru didn’t join us because they were with SJ’s lifetime pal, Jon Small and his musically talented son, Elijah. However, there will be more dim sum before leaving Van, Red Star (a favorite of Van’s upper crust). may be a choice.

HG is very lucky. Though handicapped by old age (93 in November, hopefully), HG gets outstanding, kind care from BSK. This includes obtaining tasty foods that HG can swallow (swallowing is hampered by cancer surgery decades ago). So, this morning HG was very happy with Canadian Liberte Yogurt (from Montreal) enriched with dark, pungent Canadian maple syrup. For late lunch, SJ brought HG Soondubu Jjigae from a nearby Korean restaurant. Wow!! This was a spicy soft tofu stew. Fiery dish. Stimulating and satisfying. Birthday treat day for Adorable Teru. So, the women of the family (BSK, Lesley, Maiko) took Her to Granville Island for gifts(crossword puzzles, etc.) and sweet goodies. The Granville Island Public Market is a food wonderland, a jewel of beautiful Vancouver. While there, the grownups feasted on fried oysters. Of course, they bought tasty things for HG’s dinner (including pickled Dutch herring). Lucky HG?You betcha!!!

Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen is a long name for a modest sized Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Drive. Had a late lunch there yesterday and enjoyed the best pho HG ever tasted. It was a fish pho and every element was perfect—flavorful broth, springy (not overcooked) rice noodles, super generous amount of tasty steamed fish. Very fresh vegetable garnishes. Vietnamese lemonade to drink. The rest of the family had various other pho variations plus lemongrass grilled meats. Hearty approval. SJ didn’t like the spring rolls. If the family visits again, HG suggests salad rolls or fried fish cakes instead of the spring rolls. Teru is making HG’s breakfasts memorable by making creative smoothies to top the yogurt. After dinner at the rental apartment, HG sips red wine with Chocolat Blanc Et Langue De Chat cookies from Tokyo’s Shiroi Koibito bakery. These are cookies in the form of a white chocolate sandwich. A gift to HG from Exquisite Maiko, they are addictive. HG follows this with a snifter of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey (savory gift to HG from SJ). HG concludes the evening with a few spoonfuls of Earnest vanilla ice cream. A BSK discovery, this expensive luxury is so densely rich that just a few spoonfuls suffice. Generous Exquisite Maiko gave HG one more gift: premium Soju. This is a Korean whiskey that is deceptively mild but delicious when served over ice with a bit of water. Beware!! It has a kick. HG overindulged with Soju and beer chasers. Result: Drunk and very dizzy. Led to a mishap but all is well except for two bruised toes.