Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Epicurean
Word Daily sent me one today that I have used a lot in referring to what I call “epicurean episode”. That is an experience involving the admiration and ingestion of fine food and drink. In 74 years I have certainly been blessed by the privilege of dining out and dining at friends’ tables. Growing up overseas, I was exposed to authentic Mexican dishes, interesting combinations in Brazil, and the best of Swiss fondues and other European cuisine.
In fact, when Jackie and I were in Puerto Rico a few years ago, we went to a restaurant just down the street from where we were staying. On the menu was an item that I recognized immediately – Ropa Vieja. Now, that translates into Old Clothes, which doesn’t sound too appetizing. I was surprised to see those words in a country other than Mexico, but I remembered that as a kid, I loved dinners of ropa vieja with rice. It is a dish that slowly simmers beef until it can be shredded, and cooked in a tomato base with I don’t know how many spices. I was so excited that I ordered it in Puerto Rico. It did not disappoint. I was transported to my childhood with the first bite. I enjoyed it so much that I asked our server to please tell the cooks that they had made an old woman very happy.
Every time I go to New Jersey, my son-in-law from Nigeria cooks Jollof Rice for me. Well, he does it for everyone, but if he is in the mood, he’ll prepare a little for me with the spicy peppers that he and I both enjoy in the dish. He does it effortlessly, but there are quite a few steps necessary to produce this delicious rice dish. Apparently it is a West African specialty. His boys enjoy it too, even though they can be picky eaters at times. For example, if Xander could dine on sweets alone, he would be a happy boy. Cameron, who used to like broccoli as a toddler, won’t even accept a sprig on his plate. Both boys will eat their dad’s goat dishes and jollof rice.
My buddy, Rose, makes a mean cherry pie. She starts from scratch with butter pieces and flour to make an impressive crust. In go the cherries – not the ones in super sweet juice – and presto! There’s a finished product. If she is invited to our house to eat she invariable asks what she can bring. She already knows the answer. She’ll get up on the morning of our invitation and have a pie ready before I can brew my coffee.
My buddy Katie, who lives by herself, takes ultimate good care of herself by cooking real food. She bakes breads, makes soups, cooks with green chile imported from New Mexico, and really enjoys herself while both cooking and eating her dishes. I compliment her on this self-care practice. She reminds me that after Kemet died her dinners for a year were made up of popcorn or cereal. Kemet was a great cook. His lemon chicken was to die for. Anyway, after he died she just could not make herself be in the kitchen without him. I have another friend who experienced the same thing. When the person you love is not there to share a meal with, eating alone is one of the obstacles that grief places in front of you.
One of the reasons I love going to New Mexico is the blessing of staying with Sheila and Barrett. Sheila and I have developed one of those relationships where we can talk about anything and be safe while doing so. She is also a very funny woman, and we co-authored a book that has some laugh-out-loud true stories in it. There is serious stuff in there, but our dream started out as a book of funny stories. Anyway, Sheila is the Reyna (Queen) of her kitchen. She is a Southern Belle by upbringing and apparently one of the requirements is to learn how to serve others a most delicious meal. Usually on the day I arrive to her house, I am greeted by a pot of green chile stew, tender pork chunks in a spicy sauce. If I’m really fortunate, there will also be her famous blueberry and white chocolate scones. If you get our book, she has the recipe for those bites of heaven in one of the stories.
This is about my life long odyssey involving good food. I highly recommend having an appreciation for epicurean episodes!