Comfort Food And Memories

November 11th, 2016 § 3 comments § permalink

HG/BSK’s dear friend, the late Michael Small (very much missed) introduced us to Delsomma Restaurant on New York’s W. 47th Street (long closed and also missed). Michael was a talented composer and pianist and had wide ranging erudition (plus he was very amusing). You’ve heard Michael’s music since he composed the scores of numerous movies and television shows. HG/BSK dined with Michael and his wife, Lynn, after the premiere of “Marathon Man” (Michael composed the score for the movie which starred Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier). And, it was at that dinner that HG/BSK first tasted penne with broccoli sauce. Since then it has become one of BSK’s signature dishes. It’s a “go to” dinner when HG/BSK need comfort. Best of all, BSK makes enough for dinner two nights in a row. BSK cooks the penne very al dente for first night. Reheats beautifully (penne softens) in the microwave for second night. One of BSK’s original riffs is to shower the bowls at table with cubes of mozzarella and fresh tomato. HG gilds the bowl with Sicilian olive oil. BSK opts for grated parmigiano. At each of the meals, HG/BSK raise their glasses of pinot noir and drink a toast to the memory of Michael Small.

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Bodega Prime

November 10th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

The insane election race is done and HG rests in a nest of anxiety and gloom. Thus, it is a joy to find a new, life enhancing restaurant. And, that is what Bodega Prime is all about. Located on San Felipe Road (off Cerrillos) in Santa Fe, Bodega Prime (breakfast and lunch only) is a restaurant, deli and caterer. The space is light and open with views of the kitchen staff preparing the edibles. On the walls are carefully curated kitchen accessories: Cutting boards, knives, salad bowls, napkins, dish towels, etc. (HG/BSK picked up a few things for Christmas presents.)
The food is organic, locavore and creative. Joined for lunch by neighbor Karen K. (The Dessert Queen), all had the pulled pork sandwich, tall glasses of an exceptional fruit drink. Shortbread cookies for dessert. The sandwiches were abundant, underlined by an unusual chutney and made fiery with house made kimchi. HG eyed a couple having appetizing tuna melts. Yes, tuna melts. Not ordinary. Bodega Prime makes a confit of fresh tuna in a flavorful olive oil and spice mix. Must get back to Bodega Prime for breakfast. HG hears the waffles are a special treat.

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Comforting Lettuce Packages

November 7th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

These are tense days for HG/BSK. There is the distinct possibility American democracy may end with the Presidential election of a racist, misogynist demagogue. In HG’s memory, Der Trumperer is the first Presidential candidate in modern times to receive the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan. HG/BSK battle anxiety by long pre-dinner swims in the lap pool. A gaze at the colorful autumn landscape of New Mexico. Then, pre-diiner drinks (Tito’s Vodka for HG and white wine with a dash of Aperol for BSK) before the flames of piñon logs in the fireplace. Mozart on the Bose. Spirits lift. Dinner emphasizes comfort. Tonight, BSK served a long time favorite: Lettuce Packages. BSK cooked a pound of lean ground pork in a sauce pan with loads of chopped garlic, shallots and ginger. Added soy sauce and Vietnamese fish sauce plus pureed cilantro. Brought the pan to the table. HG/BSK folded spoonfuls into crisp leaves of iceberg lettuce. Flavored the “packages” with Hoisin Sauce or Sriracha. Drank cold Vouvray. Living well is the best revenge.

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The Tasty Trio

November 6th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

Garlic, capers and anchovies. BSK uses this tasty trio in a variety of dishes. All savory. Last night, BSK put them to good use in a panful of crisp-skinned, golden brown chicken thighs highly flavored with the noble trio and enhanced with much lemon juice. BSK consulted Melissa Clark’s recipe for garlic and lemon chicken from The New York Times. BSK made some changes in ingredients and techniques. BSK added white wine. BSK also cooked the sauce in a separate pan before adding it to the browned chicken. Didn’t want the garlic to burn. Once more, BSK’s attention to details insures dining joy.

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Cragg Heaven

November 3rd, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

The best antidote to election malaise is a visit from the Craggs. Very English (but American citizens, HG believes), Antony and Claudia live high in the foothills near Denver. Since Antony drives a Bentley and an Aston-Martin (among other fine collected vehicles) and has a very heavy foot on the accelerator, the delightful couple motor to New Mexico in record time. Antony directs a successful mutual fund and Claudia, an author and former journalist specializing in Asian finance, is an incisive interviewer for a Boulder radio news program. Antony is an aristocrat (he is HG/BSK’s only link to royalty) and Claudia, of theatrical lineage, is super exuberant with an abundance of insight. On this visit, the Craggs brought their dogs: Genghis, a lively little mini-poodle mix with black and white coloring and Boodles, a larger brown poodle mix. HG/BSK’s Toby, The Wonder Dog, was in canine heaven. Joyous frolics as Toby fell in love with Boodles. As usual, the Craggs brought generous gifts of wine (not to be shared, the Craggs insisted the wines be drunk when HG/BSK dined alone). Dinner was an extravaganza, Icy Martinis (made with PEI Strait View Gin). Moderate BSK drank white wine. Nibbles of garlicky fried shishito peppers. Then on to pappardelle with ragu bolognese (from Marcella Hazan’s recipe). Then ripe brie with salad. Much, much red wine. Desserts of carrot cake with ice cream plus home made flan from the ladies at Pojoaque Super Market. Finale of brandy laced with Peychaud Bitters. After the Craggs left the next morning, heartbroken Toby, The Wonder Dog, lay in front of HG/BSK’s casita, mournfully hoping that his love, Boodles, would appear. Toby is still in mourning.

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Asia Night – Pho At Home

October 31st, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

HG/BSK are very fond of that robust and delicious Vietnamese soup: Pho. HG has enjoyed it in Vietnamese restaurants in New York’s Chinatown and Denver’s Federal Boulevard. HG’s New Mexico Pho standby is Saigon Cafe in Santa Fe. However, HG/BSK have never made it at home. This has changed. BSK has sourced a very tasty Pho broth at Whole Foods. Last night was chilly. BSK heated the broth with some thin slices of onion. Then added watercress, tofu, lime juice, cooked Chinese egg noodles and chopped scallions. Very heartening. HG made an HG specialty: Chinese Spicy Eggplant. Here’s how to do it. Peel eggplant. Cut into small cubes. Brown in vegetable oil. Remove when browned and reserve in a bowl. Thinly slice a large onion and an abundance of garlic (HG loves garlic which explains why HG is never a target of vampires). Add some more oil and saute the onion/garlic mix until soft, put eggplant back in pan. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, chile garlic sauce or sambla oelek, a bit of water, teaspoon of sugar. Stir. Simmer until sauce is absorbed and eggplant is soft. When done, give the dish a sprinkle of sesame oil and a few grinds of black pepper. HG served it with pan fried Chinese egg noodles (rice is another option).

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Der Trumperer And Der Fuhrer

October 30th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

HG has been reading Volker Ullrich’s “Hitler: The Ascent, 1889-1939”V. This is a magisterial, meticulously researched biography of Hitler (first of a two-volume work). HG has been struck by the resemblance of Trump to Hitler. In the current issue of The New York Review of Books, Diane Johnson, novelist and critic, cited Michiko Kakutani’s review of the biography in The New York Times. Kakutani called it “an account of a politician who rose to power through demagoguery, showmanship and nativist appeal to the masses.” Johnson wrote: “Without needing to mention Trump, Kakutani brings him immediately to mind.” Mr. Ullrich described Hitler as “an egomaniac who ‘only loved himself’–a narcissist with a taste for self dramatization and what Mr. Ullrich calls a ‘characteristic fondness for superlatives'” Mr. Ullrich noted that Hitler “promised to ‘lead Germany to a new era of national greatness’ though he was typically vague about his actual plans'” Mr. Ullrich wrote Hitler combined oratorical effectiveness with “bottomless mendacity.” HG notes that Trump has and Hitler had, easily caricatured hairdos.

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Tito’s Handmade Vodka

October 27th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

HG has some penny pinching proclivities. Always used cheap, use ’em once and throw ’em away razor blades. Bought seven buck wines. Bought cheap vodka (Hey, they’re all the same). A big change has occurred due to BSK’s continual effort to make HG’s life better. BSK is the family sommelier and now buys great wines at nearby Kokoman (HG has written about this idiosyncratic wine-beer-spirits shop near HG/BSK’s New Mexico home). No spendthrift is BSK. Price limit is $13 a bottle. BSK’s bottles make every dinner a feast.Though not a fan of strong spirits, BSK has introduced HG to Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Thought HG should abandon low end firewater. Well, Tito’s is superlative. Wine Enthusiast gave it a rating score of 95 out of 100 points, six points above Ketel One and 11 points above Grey Goose. Tito’s is distilled in Austin, Texas: “Crafted in an Old Fashioned Pot Still by America’s Original Microdistillery.” HG enjoys its unique clean, smooth taste. This is sipping vodka. HG doesn’t adulterate it with bitters, Aperol or Campari. Just Tito’s on the rocks in a crystal glass. As for razors, HG has subscribed to Harry’s Razors. They make shaving a joy rather than a chore. At last, octogenarian HG is getting some class.

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Polly Brown

October 26th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

The world darkened for HG/BSK with the news that our friend and neighbor, the brave, life enhancing Polly Brown had died after a long, courageous battle with a staggering amount of health problems. Polly and her, husband David Fowler (novelist/historian/educator), were our frequent dinner companions. Our epic meals at HG/BSK’s home or Polly and David’s, were filled with laughter and wonderful observations. Yes, there was abundant vodka, wine and brandy. Polly had beauty, style, wit. She amused and loved to be amused by others. She glowed. indomitable Polly did not let health issues diminish her energy and love of life. Polly was so much fun that one could forget that she was a creative talent of stature. Polly was a photographer, a social documentarian. Her work was published in many periodicals and was exhibited to critical applause. Go to pollybrownphotographs.com to see her work. Her photos show her humanity, searching eye and gift for composition. HG/BSK and the world have lost a treasure. Thank you, Polly, for your art and allowing us to share your life.

Yes, Chicken Again (Oh Yes!)

October 25th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink

BSK has a way with chicken. Roast spatchcocked chicken. Breaded chicken breast cutlets. Chicken sauté with garlic and rosemary. Chicken sautéed with 40 (that’s right) cloves of garlic. And, more. Last night, there was a dinner party for five and, as usual, BSK rose to the occasion. First, there were toasts with glasses of Gruet Sparkling Rose and nibbles of Feridies Five O’Clock Mix. Everyone took their seats as BSK placed a steaming pot on the table. It contained a new chicken dish: Greek Chicken Stew with Cauliflower and Olives (Recipe by Martha Rose Shulman of the New York Times.). Besides the cauliflower and olives, the dish contained crushed tomatoes, onions, garlic and a plethora of herbs and spices including smoked Spanish pimenton. The diners topped their bowls with chopped Bulgarian goat feta and added harissa for further heat. BSK served the savory autumn dish with pearl couscous and accompanied it with a salad of thinly sliced baby turnips, radishes and fennel. All drank much Spanish Tempranillo and Argentine Malbec. The meal concluded with carrot cake (a creation of HG/BSK’s neighbor, Karen K., The Dessert Queen) and vanilla ice cream. HG/BSK and their pals have enchanting meals in The Land of Enchantment (among other virtues, polls indicate that New Mexico is solidly behind Hillary).

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