HUNGRY GERALD

There are few fish dishes better than fried filets of hake. This is a dish rarely seen on American restaurant menus. It’s a staple in Paris bistros. In the USA and Britain, other fish are used for the omnipresent “fish and chips.” HG is a master of the celebratory fish fry, so fried hake seemed an appropriate nod to Juneteenth. BSK’s sister, Noel M., brought the fish to the door of HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. (HG/BSK are still quarantined). HG gave them the following treatment. A light dusting of flour. A dip into a bowl of beaten egg. A roll in bread crumbs. Then, into a cast iron pan of sizzling canola oil. From long experience, HG’s timing is precise. The lightly browned filets emerged from the pan, cooked to a crisp but still firm. BSK served them with delicious little Canadian potatoes and a salad of chopped tomatoes and sweet onions. That was tonight’s happy meal and, fortunately, there was enough fish to repeat the dinner tomorrow. Joy!!

Murmurs of pleasure emanated from HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home as HG ate the best oysters HG ever ate. HG asked Cindy Dockendoff, the wonderful manager of Island Shellfish, Morell, PEI, for large oysters. (Yes, size matters). And, that’s what HG got. Big, briny, meaty, full of flavor Malpeques. Yes, better than Paris, Reims, Brooklyn, Rhode Island, Maine. Even better than the oysters at New York’s Oyster Bar in Grand Central and Rodney’s Oysters in Vancouver, B.C. HG plucked the oysters from the fridge and devoured them when appropriately cold. (Too cold, oyster flavors diminish). Pinot Grigio was the drink. BSK usually likes smaller oysters but BSK acknowledged these big guys were the best. Oyster Lovers: Look at the photo of HG shucked Malpeques HG ate last night. Try to control your envy.

BSK is very choosy and discerning about chicken. When in New Mexico, BSK selects special chickens (free range, no chemicals or additives, etc) at Whole Foods in Santa Fe. BSK has the butcher spatchcock (remove the backbone and flatten) BSK’s selected chicken. The chicken then gets a soak in BSK’s special marinade and is roasted into succulence. Since HG/BSK are in 14-day mandated self-isolated quarantine on Prince Edward Island, BSK’s sister, Noel M., and husband, Yossi M., (they live on the Island are not quarantined) filled the HG/BSK refrigerator before HG/BSK’s arrival. So, a few nights ago, BSK removed a plump chicken from the fridge. The bird went through the usual program of spatchcocking, marinating and roasting. HG/BSK did not have high hopes for the supermarket product. Happy surprise. Turned out to be super juicy and flavorful. HG/BSK, lovers of dark meat, ate the thighs and wings. The ample breast meat got other uses. One use was a very good salad of homemade curry mayonnaise with chunks of chicken, walnuts and raisins. The other was BSK’s innovative Vietnamese pho with chicken and wide Chinese rice noodles. Much pleasure from an underestimated supermarket bird.

Prince Edward Island is a paradise for lovers of seafood. (As HG writes, two boats are netting lobsters in the waters in front of HG/BSK’s oceanfront home). HG’s excellent son-in-law, Yossi M., came to the HG/BSK doorstep (HG/BSK are still quarantined) with two live lobsters. BSK is allergic to crustaceans so the sea critters were the centerpieces of two consecutive HG dinners. Dinner one: Ten Red Head oysters from Island Shellfish (thanks, Cindy). Lush lobster with plenty of melted butter spiked with lemon juice and sriracha. Drank chilled French rose. Finished with pecorino cheese, honey and French pinot noir. Dinner two: Same meal augmented by Massimo R. selected prosciutto wrapped around bread sticks. Also, drank pinot grigio with the oysters and lobster. A very happy HG.

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In the absence of maple syrup or jam (HG/BSK are in the sixth day of 14-day self-isolated quarantine), HG has been supplementing breakfast yogurt and after dinner cheese with delicious, crystallized honey from the middle east. The brand is Alisha. HG presumed this delicacy came from Lebanon, source of much good food. However, when HG examined the honey jar, HG learned the product was from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is not HG’s favorite country. The 9/11 destroyers that killed thousands of Americans were Saudis. The country’s policies regarding women are horrendous. The legal system is a sardonic joke. Criminal punishment is medieval. Recently, a journalist critical of Saudi’s autocratic rulers and religious fanaticism was murdered (seemingly by government orders). HG knows there’s an abundance of petroleum in Saudi. But, honey? A surprise.

Yes, HG/BSK are in Canada. No problems at the border. Given orders to self-quarantine for 14 days. So nice to be in a democracy headed by a rational (albeit long-haired) leader. Famished HG/BSK completed first leg of the journey to Prince Edward Island home in a St. John, New Brunswick, hotel. Spacious room. HG had pre-dinner vodka. White wine for BSK. Opened the portable cooler to see the Italian delights selected by generous son-in-law, Massimo R., for the HG/BSK auto voyage. Superb prosciutto and mortadella; olives; very good bread; an array of cheeses—pecorino, gorgonzola dolce, ground parmesan. Oh, my!!! Marvelous dinner with a good bottle of French pinot noir. HG demolished most of the pecorino. HG never found top pecorino in Santa Fe. Massimo’s selection was fabulous, earthy and lush. HG is very lucky to have a leading academician and author as a son in law. And, being Italian, Massimo has the knowledge to source the best in wine and food. (His wife, HG/BSK’s gifted daughter, Lesley R., is a wonderful cook so they compose a dynamic culinary duo).