Maia's Into The Moonlight

LUNCH WITH ISABEL

My good friend Isabel came from Washington D.C. for a short holiday in Portugal and I wanted to organize a festive lunch for her. I had not seen Isabel in more than 2 years. It would be just a few women friends.

I needed to be inventive with the menu, knowing that Isabel is not only a vegetarian, but she is also a superb cook and gourmet.

We started with “funghi porcini risotto”. A rich broth made from onion, leek, garlic, carrot, celery, sprigs of parsley, thyme and rosemary, and of course the dried porcini and sliced fresh champignons. Then soften onion with olive oil, add arborio rice, and finally the broth, cup by cup, stirring slowly. Serve it with a sprinkling of fresh chives. The flavor is so delicate no cheese is needed.

We followed with a salad I discovered several years ago in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and has been a favorite ever since. “Arugula, calamari and avocado salad”. Clean and cut the calamari in slices and sauté them in olive oil with a generous amount of chopped garlic. While the calamari are still warm, toss them and the garlic sauce with the arugula and sliced avocado, adding a bit more fresh olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, and salt to taste. It is deceptively simple but truly delicious. The salad was accompanied with a caprese salad, sliced tomatoes with sliced mozzarella and basil leaves. Kamut rolls helped mop up the sauce and wonderful olive oil.

Dessert was fresh papaya with lime juice, and homemade “honey and ginger ice-cream”. In a double boiler beat 3 eggs yolks with 5 tablespoons of honey, until your arm drops and the mixture is thick. Separately (you either use a friend’s arms, or you become Shiva with 6 arms…), beat the egg whites till stiff, and then fold in stiffly whipped cream. Finally add the egg custard with three tablespoons of minced ginger. Place the ice-cream in the freezer for about 4 or 5 hours, removing it to the refrigerator an hour in advance of serving, so it is semi-soft.

Of course there was a lot of catching up, laughter and sharing of stories of children and grandchildren, of aging, and husbands, and work, and books, and life in general. Summer does that, everyone with red toenails, from watermelon red to burgundy to cherry and ruby, and sandals to show off your pretty feet. And lots of bracelets on the wrists like Indian dancers, and beads of every kind adorning crisp dresses and blouses. Ah, summer, we all become Chagall nymphs.