Friday, March 5, 2010

The Ocean Springs Food Fairies

Scott and Buffy seem to be the food fairies of their neighborhood. It’s a rare supper that doesn’t include at least four neighbors. Last night, it was Salisbury steak for ten or eleven, and Scott’s kids weren’t even here. Michelle mentioned, yesterday morning, that she planned to fix hamburger steak and gravy because her youngest child, Cole, likes it. The party plan began; Scott immediately headed to Wal Mart to purchase the ingredients.

While Scott was away, I lay down for a nap. By the time I woke, the food fairies had been by to make all the beef patties. They were in the refrigerator, ready for browning and baking. The crisper drawers were full of fresh salad ingredients, and Scott had left with Michelle to meet Buffy, Sam, and friends at a new bar in town.

Former neighbors, Dave and JoElle, who are stationed at a military base in Italy, had sent Scott and Buffy several Italian delicacies. Their unfamiliarity with the items was compounded by the fact that all identification and instructions were written in Italian. Buffy asked my help in utilizing these exotic ingredients. I was thrilled to oblige, as some of the packets contained risotto, one of my favorite foods of Italian origin.

I had no clue how to read the directions for preparation, other than the term 500ml. Thankfully, measuring cups are marked in both fractions of cups and milliliters, and the packets had some pictures of the proposed process. Even though I did have to experiment with cooking temperatures, I think the resulting mushroom risotto was delicious. Maybe tonight, I’ll be brave enough to make the gnocchi.