Mea Culpa

Time to get off my soap box and face the real world. While bemoaning the lack of people wearing poppies over Memorial Day weekend, some desperate member of our society in the Boca area, snatched the contribution jar from an 80 year old vet who was collecting money / distributing poppies. Reminiscent of the guys who stole the money box from the Brownie's selling Girl Scout cookies in front of a Publix store. Sad commentary on our society, isn't it?

A Day to Remember

It's Memorial Day or at least the day we now choose to celebrate this holiday.
Moving the celebration of national holidays to Mondays was a good move, allowing folks to have a long weekend to celebrate with friends and family. Over the years, many of us have turned this day of parade watching and flag waving into a pool, picnic, barbecue day. And fashion mavens use Memorial Day as the harbinger for the white shoes and white handbags that were officially relegated to storage last Labor Day.

But how many of us actually remember what this day signifies? Over the weekend, I saw a WWII veteran in front of the grocery store with the traditional red poppies. Over the years, the number of these valiant men has dwindled. I remember always seeing two or three hale and hearty vets gathered together on street corners and at the entrances to stores, raising money and awareness of the needs of veterans with the sale of red poppies at Memorial Day. I also remember that almost everyone walking on the street, bustling about their errands, sported a poppy, showing support for the men who fought for freedom for us. Times have changed. We don't see many people walking on the street these days period, never mind sporting poppies at Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. I guess many of those folks driving along may have a poppy. Who am I to judge? But I strongly suspect, the change collected in those little canisters didn't amount to much this past weekend, even though we are a far more affluent society than we were 40 + years ago. Our priorities have changed.
Or maybe it's just that our way of donating and contributing has changed and it's no longer de rigeur to look for handouts on the street corners, better to mail address labels or mount a telemarketing campaign. But that's so impersonal, isn't it? I liked having the smile and thank you from those wizened faces and the firm handshake of a calloused hand from a man who left home and family, took up arms and faced an enemy, so I could grow up, safe and sound in America. There's something very personal and very special about that.

Today is a day to remember all those who gave their lives fighting to make our world a better place. A feature article in today's Orlando Sentinel used the figure 619,837 lives lost from World War I through today's war in Iraq. Over half a million brave men and women. Regardless of how we feel about the wars we've fought or the current war we're fighting, let's remember and respect the many lives given in the name of freedom. They've helped make it possible for us to grill that frank or smoke those ribs today.

For those of you who prefer to do your 'cue indoors - count me at the top of the list - I've had great success with slow cooking beef brisket simply sprinkled generously with a spice rub. I like a Cajun mix but a straight salt and pepper combo will do, as long as one of those peppers is cayenne. Wrap the meat well in foil, place in a shallow roasting pan in a 250 oven and let it cook. Plan on at least 40 minutes per pound. Whatever you do, don't rush it. I often put a 3 - 4 lb piece of brisket in early morning and don't remove it from the oven until late afternoon. Well wrapped, it won't dry out. You want the meat to be fork tender and shred easily. I treat the meat liked pulled pork, using two forks to shred it. But you can slice it against the grain with a very sharp carving knife if you prefer slices. I slather the beef, when serving, with Bobby Flay's cola based sauce (see recipe) and serve with cole slaw and onion rolls or fresh, crisp Kaiser rolls as a sandwich. Great way to enjoy an inexpensive cut of meat. No fuss, no muss, it cooks itself while you go about your day and if you wrapped it carefully in a foil packet, the pan only needs a quick rinse! What could be easier? Fast food it's not. But you'll have to admit, it's easy and oh, so good. Give it a try.

BBQ Sauce

Courtesy of Bobby Flay

1 cup cola

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

3 TBS A1 Bold

1 minced shallot

1 minced clove garlic

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced by a quarter.

I'm spending the holiday with Julia and Paul Child. I'm deeply immersed in My Life in France. Who knows how I'll be led to cook the bay scallops I took out of the freezer this morning? But with Julia encouraging me, it's sure to be good. Till next time . . . keep on cooking!

What does a grape say

when you step on it?

Nothing

It just lets out a little wine.

I have no idea to whom we should attribute that pithy bit of humor but it was wine that was on my mind recently as I strayed from my favorite Boeuf Bourguignon and the classic Coq Au Vin and applied the technique to the 'other white meat'. Braised pork with red wine turned out to be a luscious pot of pure comfort food studded with carrot slices and petite peas then ladled over smashed potatoes. The leftovers reheated nicely, the flavors had the opportunity to marry well which makes me think preparing this a day ahead of serving would be smart. This is not a 30 minute Rachel Ray type of dish. It takes time to slow cook. Making it on a weekend would be a good idea - great for a Sunday dinner and then the re-heated leftovers will make a fast supper later in the week. I used lean boneless spareribs but a boneless pork shoulder would work well, too.

Braised Pork With Red Wine

2 pounds boneless pork, cut into large chunks

Salt and pepper and 2 Tbs flour

2 cups fruity red wine, like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir

1 cup good chicken stock (water will do)

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

1 lb of carrots, peeled and cut into chunks on the diagonal

8 - 10 cloves of garlic, peeled

1 cup petite peas - defrosted if frozen

Place pork chunks with salt, pepper and flour in plastic bag. Shake to coat. Heat 2 tbs olive oil in dutch oven over med high heat and sear pork chunks, browning on all sides. Do not overcrowd pan. Sear in batches removing seared pieces to a plate. Add a little more oil if needed. Reduce heat to medium. Add carrots, onions and garlic to pot stirring to deglaze, getting up all those nice brown bits. As the garlic and onion become fragrant, return pork and accumulated juices to pan, adding wine and stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook until pork is fork tender and falling apart. (1 1/2 - 2 hours)When done, remove all solids with a slotted spoon and reduce pan juices to about one cup or less. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return pork to pot, add cooked peas , warm through, then add chopped parsley for garnish if desired. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes enjoying the remainder of the bottle of wine!

Never cook with a wine you wouldn't drink and NEVER succumb to purchasing that foul product on the grocery shelf referred to as cooking wine. This doesn't mean you have to use your best vintages...but by all means use a good tasting medium priced bottle to bring out the best in any recipe. It's flavor you are seeking and a bad wine will only give a bad flavor. Reminds me of. . .

Charles Frank and Ella White, of the Boston Irish Whites, were married early in the 20th century, around 1908, I think. As with most young married couples then, they initially lived with Charles' folks until they had enough money saved up to rent a flat of their own. Living with your in-laws is a tough start for any young couple but the clash between the frugal Mrs. Frank and the young bride, Ella, came to a head one morning as Ella, descending the stairs for breakfast overheard her mother-in-law complaining to Charles about his young wife's extravagance in using too much butter when she made a cake, in throwing out left over coffee and buying expensive cuts of meat. "She'll have you in the poor house, son" wailed Mrs. Frank. Ella took a deep breath, marched into the kitchen and politely proclaimed to her mother-in-law, "Nothing you put in your gut is wasted."

She told me this story to emphasize the importance of serving good food whether it was a lowly fried egg, which she often had for her lunch to save money, or the wonderful roast with all the trimmings she served to her family on Sundays. Ella Frank nee White was a marvelous cook and a generous woman with a heart of gold. She was my maternal grandmother.

Guess what? Had a note from Lisa Unger in response to my email congratulating her on Beautiful Lies and she reports the sequel will be published in 2007. Looking forward to that. Meanwhile this week I indulged in some fun light reading. Finished up Tough Cookie, a Diane Mott Davison culinary mystery. Those are always good fun and I glean new ideas for food prep. I have her new one, Dark Tort, waiting for me. Gave the new Mary Higgins Clark, Two Little Girls in Blue, a whirl. It's been decades since I read any of her books. It was an engaging fast read. Interesting material on the phenomenon of telepathy between twins. Cage of Stars, Jacqueline Mitchard's newest is a page turner, too, offering insight into the practices and beliefs of LDS members (Latter Day Saints) with a story line that stretches believability but nevertheless holds your interest . This has been a week for light fare, to round it off, I'm halfway through John Sandford's Dead Watch.

I was a little ashamed of myself for indulging in so much popular fiction this week but quickly justified my lapse by reminding myself I watch no TV tripe. Looking forward to the Fringe Festival selections I've chosen to see later in the week. Maybe I'll see some of you there. Till next time...keep on cooking!

Put your Lemon Drops on Ice!

Did you get the word? Oprah's Legends Ball has been preempted by none other than George W. For all of you who've invited friends, mixed up gallons of Oprah's fabulous lemon drop martinis and for those of you who've even bought the fixin's for Rachel Ray's 5 minute appetizers...it all has to wait until next week. Quel dommage. I strongly suggest the lemon drops be consumed prior to the President's address on the immigration crisis - it'll help to be mellow while you listen to that fellow.

Speaking of George W, I've just started a book he would do well to read or have read to him, Tim Flannery's The Weather Makers - How Man is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth.

We each need to understand what is happening to our planet so that we can take steps to bring about decisive action. The news over the weekend was a prime example of the havoc weather is playing. In Florida, people lost homes to wildfires because of lack of rain. In New England, people are being flooded out of their homes because of unprecedented rainfall. Global warming is affecting all parts of the world - meanwhile our executive administration is sitting on its hands in denial. It's so obvious with the extreme change in weather patterns that something is amiss.
We have to get our heads out of the sand and start urging our representatives to move in the right direction to ensure we have a planet for future generations. Meanwhile, there are millions of us who can each do his part to try to remedy the mess we've made in the name of progress.

On the lighter side, if you're looking for a good read, check out Lisa Unger's Beautiful Lies. For a first novel, this is a swift page turner with writing that doesn't ring of formula and characters with depth involved in an interesting mystery. And she's from Florida!

For sheer beauty of words and emotions, Anita Brookner is hard to beat. I first ran across her work a few years ago with her latest novel, The Rules of Engagement, and entertained myself this Mother's Day with her 1984 Booker Prize winner, Hotel Du Lac. Fascinating characters in a delightful Swiss setting elegantly depicting a range of human emotions moving the story to a surprising climax. I highly recommend getting acquainted with Ms. Brookner's work.

Dining Indulgence

A simple meal can take on gourmet proportions with the generous use of a kitchen staple that has been relegated to the "bad for you" list for way too long. I speak of butter...sweet cream, unsalted, high butter fat BUTTER. Fish fillets prepared a la Meuniere (no accent marks in this format, sorry) is a quick, easy weeknight preparation that would impress the fussiest dinner guest. I use tilapia fillets on a regular basis but any white fleshed, mild fish will do: cod, haddock, sea bass, flounder, etc. The instructions listed are for four servings...easily reduce the amount of butter and parsley to accommodate one or two servings.

Fish Fillets a la Meuniere

4 fillets of white fleshed fish

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon flour (I like Wondra but AP will do)

10 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 lemon, halved and seeded

4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (flat leaf preferred)

1. Season the fillets with salt and pepper and lightly coat with flour, shake off excess.

2. Use a skillet large enough to hold fish in a single layer, place over medium high heat. Add 4 tbs butter. When butter starts to foam, add fish and saute, turning once until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer fish to serving platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Discard butter from pan.

3. Add remaining butter to pan over medium heat, add a generous pinch of salt and allow butter to foam. When foam subsides and the butter turns lightly brown, squeeze in all the juice from both lemon halves and add parsley. Swirl pan to blend and spoon sauce over fish. Serve immediately.

Kick this up a notch by mincing two large cloves of garlic and adding to butter along with lemon juice and parsley. Either variation is lovely with petite peas and roasted cauliflower. Another quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Fiddleheads????

I was checking out one of my favorite websites, Mighty Foods, earlier today.

As I scrolled through the post I was taken back a good 50 years to a day when my step-mom came home with a couple of paper grocery sacks crammed full of ferny looking things. She filled the kitchen sink with cold water and dumped in the greenery. She was so excited with her find but I couldn't imagine we were going to eat this sink full of weeds. I soon learned these were fiddleheads, young, unopened fern fronds which are cleaned, cooked and eaten just like other greens. Much like the short season of dandelion greens, fiddleheads are only available for a short span before they unfurl and become ferns. This harvest was a rare treat. Mom had picked them at her brother's farm in Maine and transported the delicacies over the border into New Hampshire. I doubt there was a law against it, but those Mainiacs might have begrudged losing such a find to their snobby southern neighbors.

In our blue collar home, gourmet food preparations were unknown but plain fresh food was abundant and these fiddleheads were no exception. After many rinsings, the greens were ready for a long hot boil with a generous helping of diced salt pork. I don't think any green vegetable in that house was ever cooked without salt pork nor was it ever served until it had lost every bit of it's bright green color! When the fiddleheads were cooked to the requisite limpness, we were each handed a bowl, with a dollop of butter, a sprinkling of vinegar and a generous shake of salt and pepper. The juices at the bottom of the bowl were mopped up with slices of airbread. Man, was that good!

I love dandelion greens and we had those every year as our lawn was very accommodating, supplying us with several good meals of the bitter green before they went to flower. The lowly dandelion makes for fine eating and drinking, too. My friend, Nancy Schwartz, had a knack for making a great dandelion wine. She'd pick the dandelions in the spring and make the wine with her secret recipe and put the bottles away in a dark place (hidden somewhere in the garage, I think) until the fall when it was ready for decanting. The bottles I was lucky enough to have were a stiff competition for Harvey's Bristol Cream. I often wonder where Nancy is and what she's doing. Sad how people drift in and out of our lives moving on and how easy it is to lose touch.

No fiddleheads or dandelion greens in my pantry but I did cook some greens this morning - green beans. I decided a little ethnic treatment would be good for a change so I carmelized a nice big yellow onion, added a couple of cloves of minced garlic and tossed in a pound of cleaned young slender firm green beans that had been blanched for about 4 minutes. I added a generous pinch of Mexican Oregano purchased from Rancho Gordo and a small can of tomato sauce and simmered gently until the beans were tender yet still a bit firm to the bite. They'll cook a little more when reheated in the microwave tonight for dinner. They'll be a nice accompaniment to a Tilapia fillet I plan on having for dinner before heading out to the free new play reading at Lowdnes Theater at 7pm. (This year's monthly play readings have been great entertainment and you can't beat the price. Come on out and join the fun!)

When I was working, I'd clean and blanch green beans on the weekend and put them in a ziplock bag in the fridge then they were ready for an easy prep for one of my fast 30 minute dinners. It's really handy to have fresh veggies ready to roll. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day takes a little planning and preparation. But good food can be fast food with a little forethought. Not only is it good for you...it's so much less expensive than those prepared, processed, packaged products! That message was brought to you by the letter P!

Reminds me of the Sesame Street episode where I heard, "This is the letter N. It stands for: ninny, nincompoop and numbskull!" Of all the words that start with the letter n, they sure picked a great trio to enhance a youngsters vocabulary, didn't they?

Dastardly deeds done in the dark...

With a ridiculous penchant for alliteration, years of thinking in head rhymes, it wasn't really surprising that the above phrase popped into my mind one of the first times I ventured out into the deep dark wee hours of the morning with my new charge Gilly, aka Kris Kringle, to allow him to 'water the bushes'.

Dark appears to be a popular adjective with the literati lately. Just look what I've read these past two weeks: Thomas Perry's Nightlife (night is dark, right?); Anne Perry's Dark Assassin; Stuart Woods' Dark Harbor and I'm on the waiting list for Dark Tort, Diane Mott Davidson's newest offering. See the recurring theme? Do they consult each other? All, by the way, are fun, fast reads. Great entertainment.

Catch it if you can. Theater Downtown has a dynamite little production currently playing, Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg. It's easy to see why the critics are raving and the performances are selling out. The author's message is heart-rending, the characters are well cast and the set is amazing considering the small space. There's nudity and coarse language, after all it's a locker room. Support local theater but more importantly - treat yourself to live theater at its best.

Here's a fun site with a daily download that will give you pause for thought or at least bring a smile to your face. I've always been a fan of, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull" attributed to WC Fields, though I always thought there were four more letters in that last word. I was surprised to find a like phrase from none other than Harry S Truman, "If you can't convince them, confuse them." Do you think someone suggested that to GW?

What's Cooking?

I realize not everyone is an eggplant fan. But for those of you who are and especially for those whose mouths water at the thought of eggplant parmesan, but hesitate to make it because of all the prep steps, Pierre Franey has taught me a fast easy preparation that by-passes the breading/frying steps in a traditional parmesan-style dish by simply peeling and roasting slices that have been slathered with a butter/parmesan slurry. I've taken the dish one step further by topping it after baking with some of the tomato pizza sauce from a previous post. This is a week night possibility since it's a total of 20 minutes to prep and cook the dish and it makes a wonderful side with a chicken breast or pork chop. I can make a meal of it on its own with a big greeen salad washed down with a mellow merlot.

Aubergines au Four Parmigiana

(Baked eggplant parmesan)

1 firm eggplant

4 - 5 TBS unsalted butter at room temperature

3 TBS grated Parmesan cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Peel the eggplant and trim off the ends. Cut the eggplant into half inch thick slices.

Blend the butter and cheese and spread on both sides of eggplant slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Arrange the slices on a baking sheet in one layer (I cover sheet with parchment paper for ease of cleanup). Bake 15 minutes or until eggplant is tender when pierced. Serve as is or with a generous dollop of tomato sauce (see 4/17 post) on each slice. More fast and easy whole food. Enjoy!

Green Issues

What a week this has been; what a rare mood I'm in! Yikes,that sounds like a take off on an old song, doesn't it? But it has been an exceptionally busy, hectic week. The May issue of Vanity Fair arrived in my mailbox and just happened to be their first green issue. It's chock-a-block full of great articles covering all aspects of the green house effect with suggestions for what needs to be done going forward to avoid catastrophe. Don't hesitate to spend the best part of a $5 bill on this informative issue covering articles by Al Gore; Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Pataki among others. See hunky George Clooney in his "walk the walk" electric car along with Annie Liebovitz's fantastic cover photo: www.vanityfair.com/magazine/pressroom/. Included in the issue is a handy pull-out insert, "What You Can Do - 50 ways to help save the planet." Many good suggestions that each of us can incorporate into our daily routines. From something as simple as changing lightbulbs, recycling, eliminating plastic bags along with disposable goods and turning off the water while you brush your teeth to driving a hybrid car and planting your own garden. Get it, do what you can to make some changes NOW and encourage others. If we don't do it, who will? Had to look it up, but Eldridge Cleaver said, in a speech in San Francisco back in 1968, " You're either part of the solution or part of the problem." I'd prefer to be a part of the solution, wouldn't you? Check it out, then start making gradual yet regular efforts to eliminate waste, conserve energy and make wise purchases. Choose sustainable solutions remembering that we pay a very high price long term for cheap costs in the short run.

More Greens
I've been conscientiously adding items from the Rx Super Foods list to every meal. Incoporating most from the list every week. Broccoli is a favorite, so it's easy to include and lately I've found that it not only adds a nice little fillip to a grains meal as well as being a great side for meats, poultry and fish, but it makes a lovely light lo-cal lunch. Try this easy winner:

Broccoli, Red Peppers and Goat Cheese (serves 4 - 15 minutes)

2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil

1 head broccoli, florets only

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 - 3 bottled roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

1 shallot, thinly sliced (or use green onions)

1 tsp dried basil or 2 TBS fresh basil chiffonade

juice from half a fresh lemon

salt and pepper to taste

2 - 3 oz goat cheese, crumbled

Wash and drain broccoli, in a large skillet, heat oil over med heat. Add broccoli, garlic and shallots and cook 5 - 8 minutes until crisp - tender (add splash of water to steam a bit). Stir in roasted red peppers, basil, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Remove from heat, divide among plates, sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese.

(This is particularly good with some whole wheat pita bread for a fiber filled light lunch.)

If you're curious, here's the list of Rx Super Foods:

Broccoli • Oranges • Spinach • Blueberries • Pumpkin

Turkey • Soy • Yogurt • Walnuts • Wild Salmon • Tea

Beans • Tomatoes • Whole Grains

How many of them do you eat each week?

A Book Bonanza

Orange County Library came through with a bevy of books from my request list. I quickly made my way through Jonathan Kellerman's new Alex Delaware saga, Gone. An entertaining fun, fast read. Another thoroughly enjoyable quick read is Tess Gerristen's The Apprentice, the follow up novel to her bold mystery novel, The Surgeon. This physician turned author delivers great plot and interesting characters combined with a solid foundation of medical facts producing an intriguing psychological mystery. I'm planning to zip through her entire oeuvre.

Abide With Me, Elizabeth Strout's new offering, was savored a little more slowly, but is definitely a page turner as was her previous best seller, Amy & Isabelle. I also devoured May Sarto's tiny book with a big message, As We Are Now, the story of an old woman trying to stay alive in a nursing home. This story was written in the early 70's, yet the intelligence, wit, dignity and fire revealed in the sparse pages, are not unique to that era but apply to all of us as we approach our final years.

And then, lest my mind grow rusty with fluff and floss, I'm wending my way, chapter by chapter through Kevin Phillips new offering on "the peril and politics of radical religion, oil and borrowed money in the 21st century," American Theocracy. This well documented, heavily referenced work delivers in-depth examples of the precarious position in which we now find ourselves - dependent on oil, with unprecedented levels of public and private debt while being swept along in a surge of politics based on fundamentalism that is shaping policies both here and abroad. This is not a quick read but it certainly is a must read.

And as man cannot live by books alone...how about a little pizza?

I've been enjoying homemade pizza many Friday evenings and several friends have asked for the ingredients. I usually make a batch of dough big enough to provide 4 crusts for 8" - 9" pies. Remember, I'm cooking for one. If you choose to make this, dividing the dough in half rather than fourths will produce a couple of 12" pies.

Pizza Crust

1 package yeast

1 cup warm water (105 - 115)

1 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups all purpose unbleached flour (use additional 1/2 cup if needed)

5 Tbs olive oil

1 tsp salt

Place all ingredients in bowl and combine.

If using electric mixer, use dough hook and allow to knead for approximately 5 min. If kneading by hand, place dough on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth - approx 5 to 8 minutes.

This dough must rise once (in a well oiled bowl covered with oiled plastic wrap). When doubled in size, punch down and form into a ball, divide into 2 or 4 portions. Roll out on lightly floured surface to desired thickness (I like it pretty thin). Drizzle dough with olive oil, cover with tomato and grated cheese. Bake in very hot oven, preferably on a pizza stone, but if no stone, bake on a heated cookie sheet. (use cornmeal on stone or cookie sheet to prevent sticking)

I heat the oven at 500 for one hour, then turn the temperature down to 450 to bake pie.

I place remaining balls of dough in individual plastic sandwich bags and freeze for later use.

Tomato Topping

1 19oz can Muir Glen fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 TBS olive oil

1 shallot minced (or onion)

2 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp oregano(dried) use 3 tsp if fresh

1 tsp basil (dried) use 3 tsp if fresh

Salt & pepper to taste

Saute the shallot and garlic in the olive oil. When wilted, add tomato and herbs and cook over medium heat until reduced to a thick consistency. 15 - 20 minutes. Spread sparingly over pizza crust, cover with grated mozzarella cheese, then drizzle with olive oil before placing in 450 oven for 12 - 15 minutes.

I freeze leftover tomato sauce for next batch.

If fresh basil is on hand, sprinkle hot pie with a chiffonade of basil before serving.

If you make it let me know...happy reading and good eats!

In my long lost youth,when I was very thin, I read the dictionary when there was nothing else to read, now I read cookbooks, needless to say, I'm no longer thin!

I have read that it's not a good thing to read while eating, but I do. Occasionally, I just turn the pages of the latest New Yorker magazine and read the cartoons but mostly I read about food while I'm eating. Not only do I enjoy the meal in front of me but I use the time to gain more insight into the magical world of food preparation which never ceases to intrigue me, pique my imagination and assure I never have a dull moment. If I'm not shopping, prepping, or cooking, I'm reading about it. That's a bit of an exaggeration but close to being right on the money!

A couple of years ago, I discovered the remarkably simple yet soul satisfying methods of Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers of the London River Cafe in their eye appealing, easy to follow volume, Italian Easy. Their treatment of a humble center cut pork chop became my favorite way to cook a chop and I shared it with all my cooking friends - probably shared it with lots who think I'm daft going on so about the marvels of a simple chop with lemon juice!

My 'at the table' reading this past week has been Pierre Franey's compilation of columns he wrote for the New York Times back in the '70's, The Sixty Minute Gourmet. If he were writing it today, I'm sure the sixty minutes would be pared down. Think Rachel Ray or better yet, stick with the French who have made cooking one of the greatest of the performing arts. Jacques Pepin will delight you with his easy yet elegant, Fast Food My Way. If you need a technique resource book to give you some confidence with handling a saute pan from stove top to oven and out quickly with a variety of pan sauces to impress any guest, add How to Cook Without a Book to your arsenal. Master some simple techniques for meats, veggies and accompanying sauces and salad dressings that will put a fine meal on the table in 30 minutes or less using whole foods, skipping cans, prepared sides or swings through the ubiquitous drive-in window. Use the freshest whole foods, choose organic, free-range meats, poultry and eggs along with fresh vegetables and prepare them simply with a minimum of cooking to preserve the flavors and nutrients. It's fun and makes for some delicious eating as well.

The Simple Pork Chop

Adapted from Italian Easy and Sixty Minute Gourmet

Heat oven to 350 - Use saute pan that can go from stovetop to oven

(Use 8" pan for 1 - 2 chops, 12" pan for 4 chops)

Center cut boneless pork chop - 1/2" thick (1 per person)

Dredge chops in Wondra flour w/ salt & pepper, shake off excess

Saute chop(s) in 1 tbs olive oil & 1 tbs butter over med heat for

approximately 3 - 4 minutes until one side is nicely browned.

Flip over and squeeze juice of a lemon wedge (1/4 of lemon)over each chop.

Toss rind(s) into pan and place pan in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Remove chops to warm plate, squeeze juice of 1/4 lemon per chop into hot pan along with 1 TBS butter, swirl to melt and mix then pour over chops on serving plate.

While chops are cooking prepare a salad and a steamed green veggie and you have another fabulous meal on the table in less than thirty minutes. Who says there's no time to cook great meals?

Life changes at my age are a big challenge. But without a challenge life is hardly worth living. Last Thursday, the little guy above came home to live with me. He was named Kris Kringle by his foster mom as he was found wandering dirty, matted, hungry and very frightened in a parking lot the week before Christmas. A good Samaritan called the Coastal Poodle Rescue Group and this miniature poodle was taken into a foster home, given medical care, love and attention and put up for adoption.

Kris is probably between 10 and 12 years of age, completely deaf with cataracts in both eyes but he doesn't let that slow him down from enjoying a good brisk walk. The hint of a walk is all it takes to get this little guy's nub of a tail in rapid motion and his tongue, which bears a strong resemblance to a slice of ham, starts wagging, too. Kris loves to walk. I'm delighted to have the company as I stroll the neighborhood and now I have no excuse for putting off a walk as Kris is quick to let me know it's time to go!

Fast Food

Enjoyed a wonderful 'fast food' dinner the other night. Bay scallops with steamed broccoli and mashed yam. This is a 15 minute meal, 20 if you dilly dally! Serving sizes listed below are for one...Just increase to accommodate.

1/4 lb bay scallops, rinsed, dried and tossed in a little Wondra flour and jerk seasoning. Saute over medium heat in a non-stick pan in a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of butter...Shake to cook evenly for 4 - 5 minutes. Finish with a squirt of lemon juice. Meanwhile, steam some broccoli flowerets and microwave a scrubbed sweet potato. When the potato is done, scoop out flesh and mash with salt & pepper to taste and squeeze the juice from a wedge of lime over it and mix it in. The broccoli can be dressed to taste, just salt & pepper and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil or even a pat of butter. This colorful plate of delicious food is a winner from scratch to finish in 15 minutes. Get the potato and broccoli going first, when almost finished cooking, 5 - 6 minutes, start the scallops. Finish up the veggies while the scallops brown.

The Glorious Beet

Years ago, supporting Hippocrates exhortation that our medicine should be our food and our food our medicine, I read that many of the foods that supply our daily needs resemble the body part they are intended to support. Beets, the book said, are red and the nutrients provided are extremely good for our blood. Bravo. Yet beets, on the whole (or even sliced), have had a bad rap. As kids, many of us ate those nearly rock hard, deep maroon, bitter tasting lumps from a can, foisted on us by a well meaning parent who told us how good they were for us. A sure sign they must taste terrible. Remember, they said that about cod liver oil, too!

But of late, I've noticed in the trendy food magazines, that top chefs are using beets, both red and yellow with more frequency and with more imagination than just as a side dish served warm or pickled.

Dining at the Culinary Institute last Fall, I chose a roasted beet salad on mixed wild greens with a simple vinaigrette and dabs of goat cheese as a starter and was so delighted with the combination that when I had guests in for dinner in December, I tried my hand at reproducing those flavors. It was a big hit with the 30 to 40 year old crowd who were surprised to find that the beet was mild and sweet. The oven roasting had brought out a depth of flavor from the carmelization of the natural sugar in the beets giving the salad that je ne sais quois that puts a dish a little over the top.

I was treated to dinner this past Wednesday at the posh new eating place in College Park, Adair's. Once again, I found the lowly beet among the featured items on the salad menu, this time combined with the yellow beet, haricort verts and a bed of frizee with a luscious mayo based dressing, tangy and a bit salty, nicely off-setting the mild flavor of the beets. Such a tongue pleasing experience that I snatched up a lovely bunch of small beets with fresh greens still attached when I shopped on Thursday. I washed and cooked the greens immediately for my lunch and the beets are waiting to be roasted to star in a salad for Sunday dinner. Here's my rendition of roasted beet salad with goat cheese. Hope you'll try it and if you do, let me know how you like it.

Roasted Beet Salad

Vinaigrette

2 tsp finely chopped shallots

4 tsp red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Salad

2 medium beets or 4 small ones

2 cups mixed wild greens

2 cups torn green leaf or romaine lettuce

1/4 cup goat cheese

Directions

Place vinaigrette ingredients in blender to combine. Taste for salt & pepper.

Wrap the beets in aluminum foil and roast in 350 oven until tender, about 1 hour.

When beets are cool enough to handle, peel and slice or cut into wedges then toss with half the dressing. In another bowl, toss the washed and dried greens with the remaining dressing. Arrange the greens on individual salad plates, divide the beets evenly on each serving then crumble the goat cheese over each salad. Serves 4

If only I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't waste my youth chasing boys and drooling over new outfits (which I couldn't buy). I'd concentrate on learning a lot . And I'd spend my middle years learning even more. Here I am, in my final years, just wising up to all there is to learn in this world.

Perhaps this melancholy hindsight is brought on by the weight of the reality that with today's birthday, I'm fast approaching 70. Egads! Or perhaps, I'm berating myself for a misspent youth because I just returned from seeing the four finalist documentaries from this year's Academy Awards. Of the four that were screened today, the superb documentary on Norman Corwin moved me to tears. Listening to the program he wrote, directed and aired on May 8, 1945, the end of WWII, was so moving as were the excerpts from the program he wrote for CBS on the Bill of Rights. What a talent! Why haven't I read his work? Another great talent I missed while being amused by some frivolous pastime.

We are so fortunate to live in a country where our Bill of Rights allow us to speak our opinions without fear of reprisal. Our founding fathers had the foresight to assure our freedom from tyranny and it's our job now to not allow anyone, regardless of position, to infringe on those rights.

Loved listening to Studs Terkel's remark that we who say "This is America, if you don't like it, leave it" are wrong...we are free to speak our mind; free to criticize without being ostracized. Give thanks for the Bill of Rights and defend it.

On Thursday, I had the privilege of serving on the jury of a criminal case. Our justice system has insured that each citizen has representation and is innocent until proven guilty. Another vindication that living in America is a blessing that we often take for granted. And it's not a game of semantics when we differentiate between not guilty and innocent. It assures that, with a panel of peers, the accused cannot be unjustly convicted. Yet, I also witnessed how easily it is for 'gut instinct' to play havoc with 'reasonable doubt'. Scary.

We are living in difficult times, at best. High unemployment, escalating housing costs, rampant crime, outrageous National Debt, at war with no visible end in sight. And saddest of all, an apathetic general population with no more interest in current events beyond the latest reality TV show. Heaven only knows where we are heading.

No food with today's post, folks. Just a little food for thought.

TGIF to all my working friends. The forecast this weekend is for beautiful weather so get out and enjoy.

Orlando is bursting with things to do - check out the Sentinel Calendar section. If you're looking for some freebies - the Orange County Library has a full weekend of activities planned: Art After Hours tonight, Tracking the Case of Central Florida's Women Trailblazers tomorrow and on Sunday, Meet the Author with Bill Belleville discussing his new book: Losing It All to Sprawl.

Speaking of books, I've recently finished Stuart Woods, Iron Orchid, a fun fast read and I'm in the homestretch with Jodi Picoult's hot new one, The Tenth Circle. This morning, I found nestled on my doorstep, courtesy of PEP Express, The Poet of Tolstoy Park and A Thread of Grace. A quiet, shady spot is calling my name.

Cooking Tip: Cry No More

Do you tear up when slicing / dicing onions? I use so many onions and even with a good sharp chef's knife, my eyes tear up like crazy and my nose runs. But the solution is just a flame away - place a lighted votive candle on the cutting board or counter close to where you are dealing with the onions. Amazing solution! Worked beautifully as I whipped up a batch of stuffed cabbage rolls this morning. Try it and let me know how it works for you.

Spring is fast approaching as the pollen dusts my car with its yellow hue. Itchy eyes, sneezing and wonderful fresh produce at the market to compensate.

Try this little trick with brussel sprouts:

Sauté over medium heat 3 or 4 thin slices of pancetta with a thinly sliced shallot in a little olive oil. While that gets started, wash and peel off any nasty outer leaves from 4 - 6 brussel sprouts. Slice the sprouts in half from top to stem end, and then with cut side down, slice it thinly. Toss the lot into the pan with the pancetta and shallots, season with salt and freshly ground pepper, shake or stir a bit...if it gets too dry, add a jigger of water. A generous pat of butter just before serving won't hurt a bit, either.
To make a complete one dish meal, last night I tossed in a half cup of cooked quinoa. Cooked brown rice would be nice too. The sprouts make an excellent side dish or a full course meal. Let me know how you like it.