Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 119

Incredible Edibles happen to be a favorite of mine. And Edible Book Day is no April Fool’s Day joke.

The French gourmet, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (born on April 1, 1755) wrote “The Physiology of Taste” (1825), which became the gastronome’s bible. And now, foodies from all around the world celebrate with an annual event dedicated to cleverly designed edibles that celebrate books! Thanks to Judith Holmberg, cofounder of Forbes Library in North Hampton, for bringing this crazy annual event to life in 2000.

This doesn’t mean we need to eat some, literally non-edible book, but we could take a big chomp out of that stack to “to-be-read” books. Or dig into making that recipe you’ve been salivating over for a while.

Special thanks to the New Orleans Museum of Art for the photo… “To Kill a Mockingbird” turned into the edible edition… “Tequila Mockingbird.”

“If life gets too hard to stand, kneel.”

— Gordon B. Hinkley (1910-2008)

American religious leader

Let’s go!

Covid lockdowns and subsequent fears of spreading infection encouraged most of us to learn to get more comfortable in our own skin… in our own homes… in our own space. Many positive outcomes grew…. From folks learning to cook to parents getting to be home with young children. In many cases, we still cannot go out freely and enjoy life the way it used to be, although we hope this is not “the new normal.”

However, since this is National Virtual Vacation Day, it’s a perfect time to take a few minutes of self-care and travel. Seriously. It matters little where you might be, create the perfect vacation in your mind.

There is no hate… no war… no danger. The weather is perfect… There are no travel delays… the food is fantabulous. Your companions are anyone you want… past or present or future… or go solo.

Travel to wherever makes your heart sing or feel at peace or bloom with inspiration. Perhaps palm trees sway in a gentle breeze… Maybe magnificent mountains loom just ahead… or some safari sights soar in a welcoming wildlife park.

Just go there in your mind because you can. Imagine the flavors and textures of the delectable foods you are enjoying. Savor all the sights, smells, and sounds in your chosen locale.

Plus, your virtual vacation requires no masks, no vaccinations, and no Covid passport. Best of all is the price tag: FREE! We’ll look forward to seeing your smile when you return.

Oh… for me personally, I was torn.  Should I return to… ? Or perhaps….? Wait! This is virtual travel. We can choose them all! So, for this one, I opted for Italy. Specifically, Portofino… dining under the canopy at the harbor’s edge. Yummmmmm…. Melt in my mouth, paper-thin fresh pasta.

(Photo by Nick Fewings)

When I was a child, I did not understand war. As a senior citizen, I wish I did not understand war. When working as a television journalist, I recall feeling greatly humbled and honored to meet and interview our State’s eldest doughboy… from World War I. Over the years I have known many veterans of too many wars.

Whether or not we have understood the particulars of why our nations’ leaders march our young people off to war, we do understand the sacrifice made by everyone involved… and their families. In these days of political uncertainty… international unrest… and warmongering beyond our comprehension, it is timely to recognize all who have served our nation.

Today is National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day. These veterans are my peers. Our peers. Our friends and family. They served… out of a sense of duty. They sacrificed for the love of our country… for the love of freedom and family. It sounds so simple… so small, but I mean it will deepest sincerity… “Thank you.” A gazillion times over.

“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.”

— Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)

American military leader

Yes, March 28th truly is Respect Your Cat Cay. So, go ahead… spend a little quality time with your favorite feline. They’ll love it! They’ll play. They’ll get bored. They’ll take a catnap.

“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.”

– Christopher E. Hitchens (1949 – 2011)

British-American author, journalist, and columnist

“We choose to be optimists or pessimists.  Pessimists may be right sometimes, but so are optimists. Optimists are happier and have more fun. Choose wisely.”

— Cathy Burnham Martin – American author, voiceover artist & dedicated foodie

(Photo by Susan Q. Yin)

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. There will always be people seeking to take away freedom, and they must always be resisted.” 

— Tom Ellis, Partner at Ai Law in Liverpool, UK in 2021

(Photo by Pete Linforth)

As a dedicated fan of the delectably tender, sweet cold water lobster, how could I possibly not share a favorite lobster recipe (first published in my 2012 book) with you on National Lobster Newburg Day? Here it is… straight out of my first full-color cookbook, “Lobacious Lobster” from 2017.

This is one of the most wonderful ways to present a splashy-looking and tasting entrée without all the “fuss.”

¼ c butter
2 T flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp paprika (& a dash of cayenne pepper, optional)
2 T dry sherry (you can substitute dry white wine)
2 lg egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 and ½ c light cream
2 c (about 1 lb) cooked lobster meat, cut in ½ – 1” pieces

In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt the butter; stir in flour. Then stir in salt, paprika & sherry, followed by lobster.  In a small bowl, combine yolks and cream.  Stir a couple of spoonfuls of the hot butter mixture into the cream mixture; then gradually stir the entire cream mixture into the butter mixture in the top of the double boiler.  Continue to cook over the lowest heat over the hot simmering water just until thickened, stirring often.  Stir in the lobster and let cook 1-2 more minutes, just to heat the lobster through.  Serve on its own, over crispy toast points or puff pastry patty shells, or in a crusty bread bowl.  Makes 4 appetizers or 2 entrée servings.

KISS Tip:  Do NOT overcook this or any other lobster dish or you will get tough lobster.

KISS Variation:  For One-Bite Newburgs spoon the hot filling into pre-made miniature phyllo pastry cups and serve with a touch of freshly chopped parsley on top.  Mini pastry cups can typically be found in boxes of 15 in a supermarket frozen food section.

“As for courage and will — we cannot measure how much of each lies within us, we can only trust there will be sufficient to carry through trials which may lie ahead.”

— Andre Alice Norton (1912 – 2005)

American science fiction and fantasy writer

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”

– Charles Monroe “Sparky” Schulz (1922 – 2000)

American cartoonist; creator of comic strip “Peanuts”

Cathy Chats, Daily Thoughts, recipes, books, audiobooks, and all my articles can be found at www.GoodLiving123.com, where I strive to share information that helps make Good Living as easy as 1-2-3.