HUNGRY GERALD

HG adores EM, HG’s exquisite, talented, generous daughter-in-law. A dazzling cook. Wonderful wife and mother. Diminutive, but with a strength that startles. Also, she gives new meaning to the word “cuteness” (like her daughter, Teru). HG thought about EM tonight as HG sipped a superb chilled sake left as a gift by EM in the Prince Edward Island refrigerator. Dinner tonight was steamed (and then fried) Poong dumplings followed by congee enhanced by mushrooms and left over basmati rice. Congee got a dash of sesame oil and chile oil. Dumplings got a splash of Frank’s Hot Sweet Chile Sauce. HG drank most of the sake. Left some over for tomorrow night. Discretion ruled. After all, the sake was preceded by some generous pours of vodka.

HG made a premature visit to heaven last night (HG hopes that the HG final–and well deserved–visit to heaven be delayed for a bit). Exquisite Maiko, HG and BSK’s lovely and talented daughter-in-law, gave HG a glimpse of the celestial by preparing a Japanese tempura feast. Here were the elements: Whole wheat soba noodles in broth with a dusting of thinly sliced green onions. Ribbons of crisply fried burdock root. Kinpira Gobo ( braised carrot and burdock root salad in a soy, ginger and garlic dressing). And the tempura — light as air, free of even a trace of grease, flavors enhanced but not concealed: Asparagus, mushrooms, Petrale sole, sliced sea scallops. HG drank a pleasant bottle of Fudo Myoo Junmai Ginjo Sake produced in Oregon. Served very chilled. EM, SJ and family leave New Mexico soon. HG will miss them and the magic of EM’s cuisine.