HUNGRY GERALD

BSK and daughter, Lesley R., are super Moms—beloved by their children and grandchildren (and soon Granddaughter Arianna will make Lesley R.a grandma). So, Mother’s Day  was celebrated with a feast at the Riverside, RI, home of Lesley R. and husband, Massimo R.  First, there were lovely oysters shucked by Massimo R. Then, shrimp in a tasty Spanish Pimenton sauce. Finale was a creamy mushroom risotto. A lush, festive meal. HG/BSK didn’t stay for bread, cheese and wine (plus ice cream for HG). Lesley had to wake at dawn to visit her daughter, Arianna, and help her prepare for motherhood. So, a timely exit was called for.

BSK is a magician with handfuls of fragrant basil. She makes perfect pesto sauce. There are always jars of this goodness in the fridge. Last night, BSK swirled a generous amount of pesto with linguine and added a sofrito of olive oil, garlic, onions, zucchini and asparagus. Perfect Meal.

Stuffed cabbage was a culinary specialty of HG’s late mother, Ida Kopkind Freeman. They were called “holishkes” and had a unique sweet and sour taste. The witty German Jewish poet, Heinrich Heine, said after lunching on them at a Vienna restaurant: “What a noble religion we have !!” HG/BSK have a very generous (and charming) upstairs neighbor, Glenn. He is an excellent cook and shares many of his tasty dishes. Last night, at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft, Glenn arrived with a large platter of stuffed cabbage. It was a happy supper for HG/BSK. Mom and Heine would have approved.

For many years, pork roast braised in milk was a standby of BSK’s  cuisine — the recipe was from a Marcella Hazan cookbook.  The cooking method produced juicy, browned pork in a pool of lush gravy.  Flanked by BSK’s polenta,  this was heroic feasting. BSK hadn’t cooked it for years believing (because of HG’s throat cancer surgery) that the dish would  be hard for HG to swallow. BSK made it last night at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. With a side of chopped baby spinach, it was a yummy supper. HG had many helpings and no trouble swallowing–enjoying every morsel. Malbec was a worthy companion. Welcome back Pork in Milk!

Sharks is a splendid Peruvian restaurant near HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. Generous daughter and son in law, Leley and Massimo Riva, brought a lavish feast  from  Sharks for a Peruvian supper at the loft.  Delicious shrimp, fish ceviche, seafood soup, crisp fried fish and more.  Happy family  dining. Only thing missing was  Sharks Pisco Sours. HG was sober–but joyous.

BSK made a healthy (and delicious) vegetarian (with the exception of chicken stock) supper last night. BSK cooked a mix of chickpeas, olive oil, chicken stock,  lentils, cannellini beans, garlic and onions with a plethora of herbs and spices (Spanish pimenton made the dish piccante). HG/BSK drank pinot noir and didn’t miss any meat or fish ingredients. Life is healthy (given HG’s maturity) in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.

BSK introduced a new dish last night and it was delicious.  BSK cooked ground pork and chunks of sweet potato with chopped onions, garlic, herbs and spices. At the proper moment, BSK added coconut milk to create a creamy, lush stew. It was served over a mound of basmati rice. Chutney and chipotle aioli were the condiments, Pinot noir was the drink. It all spelled yummy heaven in HG/BSK’s Central  Falls,  RI, loft.

Wonderful gifted, generous daughter, Lesley R, went to Chengdu Taste  restaurant in Providence and brought a lavish  Chinese family meal to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft. Among the good things. Fiery hot and sour soup. MaPo Tofu; Eggplant in garlic sauce, Szechuan fish filets. Large containers. Overjoyed HG (Chinese cuisine. has been HG’s favorite since exploring it at age seven). Yummy meals for three days. Chengdu Taste is as good as New York Chinatown, Brooklyn and Queens Chinese eateries. HG is happy to be living in Rhody and enjoying splendid Chinese food (thanks, Lesley) and BSK’s daily culinary wonders.

Yes, it’s Spring and Rhody is green, colorful and gently warm. Asparagus are in season and HG/BSK are eating many buttery, tasty stalks. HG misses the shad and shad roe with bacon that were served in the Spring at Christ Cella, the long closed great New York  steak house, and Gage & Tollner, the legendary Brooklyn seafood restaurant. These wonderful aquatic treats were harvested by New Jersey fishermen along the Hudson River; a harvest going back to the 1600’s. HG once sponsored a shad bake as part of a PR effort for New Jersey. Ice Cold beer and all the shad and roe you could eat.  Heaven.

BSK made a yummy, simple supper for HG–two thick filets of flounder bought at Whole Foods. BSK was told they were caught in Rhode Island waters a few hours before BSK’s purchase. Yes, they were briny, fresh and extraordinary when gilded with garlic/sea broth/olive oil sauce.BSK served them on a mound of buttered seasonal asparagus.  Tasty perfection on a plate. Life is good (due to BSK)  at HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.