Thinking about my growing up Hungarian, I have specific food memories, which I know every single culture on the planet has…the comfort food of childhood. Noodles, dumplings, and pasta, it keeps us alive, but when it’s made just right, it’s the most sublime, perfect mouthfeel and chew, delicious meal on the planet. The wheat protein, with or without egg, makes a nutritious dish. Coated with a sauce or simple combination of ingredients makes it magical, it’s what memories are made of.
Category: blogging
Cabbage Stories: Food and Punishment.
The first showcases my brilliance at mimicry. I was observant, I was quiet and watched things. In my little Nelson central school, I had a teacher named Mrs. Savage. Her husband was the headmaster. She had dark short curly hair and was a little soft and round. Her remarkable attribute was a wide and round bottom, spanning east to west and north to south with equal measure. It was fascinating to watch the roll to the side, and then the compensatory vertical drop.
Little Andie: Konini street. Fish and Chips or Pasties?
When I had a shilling to spend for food, I chose between pasties or fish and chips. The shops were almost next to each other. One was a bakery that made the pasties, the other a fish and chip shop. They were both across the street from my Nelson Central School. I love fish and…
Little Andi. Nile Street. The soundtrack of my babyhood.
My parents were refugees from Hungary. I don’t recall popular music of the time from my babyhood and toddlerhood until years later when I became a child. Then, the radio was tuned into the music of the day. As a toddler, my soundtrack was the Hungarian music my parents must have listened to when they…
Little Andie: Nile Street 1. River eels.
The river ran deeper where it turned sharply. That’s where the eels lived. I could sit on the bank on the opposite side and wait for them to come out of their holes. They were dark and fast little snakes. If I moved, they’d hide right away, so I had to be still for quite…
Ken & Andie Story 7/9
I think I began to feel guilty for Ignoring him. For sticking him with the endless drama that was the package and parcel of my mother. I actually felt a bit sorry for him. He had endurance, that was for sure. So I talked to him and agreed to go out with him. He said…
Ken & Andie Story 6/9
Ken & Andie part 6 It’s the undertaker kid Ken. He drove here in the hearse bringing us more thank you cards. We had such a big funeral , we must need more cards he says. I watch from the hallway to my room. It’s a small house, you can hear everything. I let my…
Ken & Andie Story 3/9
I kept the same shift at the diner after graduation, and continued to work so I could save money. August 23rd I had a dream that was so graphic and strange. I woke up very disturbed and went to work. It would not leave my mind, so I wrote it down hoping it would leave…
Palacsinta
Two hands are required. One to hold it to your mouth, the other to hold the tail end as you eat your way through it. Usually, the first ones off the pan never make it to the rolling plate, we would just hold the transparent circle of cooked dough and peel pieces from it. The crunchier edges, give way to the softer, springier middle. My brother and I were like little birds, waiting for morsels from the mother bird.
Falling in love with Chicago
From the minute we stepped outside O’hare airport into the cold, grey, damp, exhaust fume-ridden city of Chicago, I cried for beautiful clean New Zealand. I couldn’t breathe the air. I couldn’t stand the cold. I hated the ugliness of postage stamp lawns. I was a thoroughly miserable kid and teenager. To calm myself to…
Then sings my soul….
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art “The next two nights were in Chicago and these are regarded as highlight shows of the year, with Elvis sounding very happy to be on stage and singing songs such as Fairytale, And I Love You So, Little Sister…
Fine Arts Building Courtyard
Airflow was managed by large windows in the facade, and others opening into an inner courtyard. Our classes were adjoined to both. During the winter, they were closed, but when spring came, they opened and the airflow was beautiful. The flow was infused with the smells of paint, thinner and linseed oil, mixed with the…
Chicks & Jam 