By Alan "ha, ha, he's 50 too!" Gore
Astronomers saw the pillar of fire first, rising into the sky over California. Neighborhood cultists watched in awe as I approached it. I felt the heat on my face, felt my eyebrows singeing, but I knew what I had to do. I drew the deepest possible breath, then, puff-cheeked, stared it down.
And blew out all the candles.
Yes, folks, I can still do that, even at age fifty. Though we were in a mountain forest and had Red Adair standing by at that family reunion of mine, he didn’t have to use his crew that night. Your Shoestring Gourmet correspondent has now passed into senescence. But this doesn’t mean I will be reviewing nothing but Luby’s Cafeteria from now on; so long as I can still drink and talk, I can remain a Mensan – and so long as I can still eat, there will be more Gourmet reviews to come.
Our theme for April’s Gourmet was Spanish, at the white-carpeted home of Marge and Chris Davis. Ursula Gore brought out the first appetizer, Mediterranean cucumber-mint salad with a yogurt base. Jim Morgan was next with tostones (fried plantain tapas), followed by Marilyn McDonald with quince jam over sheep cheese. Marge Davis served a white gazpacho based on almonds and garlic.
Next, Cabernet, rioja, Bull’s Blood, and other exotic wines were tossed to the multitude while the master cooks assembled in the kitchen to prepare the grand communal paella that was to be the centerpiece of the evening. Far more ambitious than the usual eye of newt and tongue of bat, this paella contained: chicken breast from Pat Hull, ham and shrimp from Jane Khatiblou. Ray Pisar put his mussels into the stirring, while Barbara Brand visualized peas. Marge and Chris contributed clams, Ursula put in capers, saffron and the huge lobster that topped the creation. Marjorie and George Roberts grew their own cilantro, parsley and oregano for the occasion. Jim officiated, while contributing chicken broth, Portuguese sausage and pimentos.
Preparation of the paella took about the same manpower and scheduling as the Manhattan Project, and it was nine before the concoction was ready to serve. All agreed it was certainly worth the wait! And yes, we did save a corner for dessert, since we knew it was to be Jim’s incomparable flan. There were quite a few secionds that evening, followed by a fistfight or two over thirds.
For this month’s event on Saturday, May 10, 6 p. m., we point our Hyundais to the home of Ursula Gore and the old guy for Korean specialties. Be sure to call Ursula by Thursday, May 8 at 863-9648 to coordinate dishes.