good cateress newsletter Jan '11

good cateress newsletter Jan 2011

During this snowiest of Januaries; when one is rather dreading looking out the window at the amount of snow. In a normal winter it is quite lovely to wake and see 2/3 inches of white powder on the ground; knowing that it will be gone in a day. This morning out my front window, you can see the snow molds of cars that have been brave enough to drive out knowing that when they return a plow may have come by and closed back up the wall of snow around the parking space.

Back in 1994, which was our last bad winter, I lived on 87th Street down by Carl Schurz park in half a brownstone that had three working fireplaces. At some point in December my friends David and Laurent had come over for supper, after which we were
all lying in a row in front of the fire in the dark, lit only by the flames leaping around the logs burning in the fireplace. Laurent said “I hope we have a snowy winter”. It started snowing maybe a week later, and snowed every 5 - 7 days for the next 3 months. I do keep wondering who he said this to this winter.

As the resident of the bottom floor I was continually outside shoveling the sidewalk. It did keep me very fit and strong! Clifford, my cocker spaniel, after he had dashed to the curb and peed would stand for a moment watching me almost aghast that I would still be outside, before heading back upstairs to his spot on the sofa in front of the fire.

After the second or third of the snow storms, my friend Jane Tai, who lived across the street, with her family and Springer Spaniel Emmie, decided that this was the winter to buy a pair of Timberlands for walking in the snow with our dogs. After our morning stomp around Carl Schurz park in the falling snow we decided to head downtown together to buy some snow boots.

Did we walk around Lower Broadways numerous independent shoe stores comparing prices. No, we chose the closest store to the subway that actually had our sizes in stock. Apparently we were not alone that week in realizing that Timberlands were not a fashion statement but a necessity. And yes, we walked out wearing our new boots with our feet warm and snug inside them.

We walked straight to Jerry’s on Prince Street for lunch, we knew it had to be busy the window was covered in condensation, and as we opened the door to go in the hubbub of many conversations greeted us. Jerry’s a big favorite at that time; I could often walk in and find friends seated at the tables. A big cup of steaming cappuccino, to warm up and then lunch. I have no recollection of what I ate that day, but I know it must have had cucumber salad and fries - Jerry’s always had the best fries!

The snow was still falling as we headed back to the subway and home.

Those Timberlands lasted for another 15 years. I now have Bluntstones that are getting great wear this winter. I see everyone in their Hunter Wellies but I do have to say as a Brit, wellies kept my feet dry but I remember my feet being very cold in them.

In Berlin as a child in the early 60’s I had red wellies and we had many snowy winters. The first in 1963 was probably the worst. We lived in flats in Charlottenburg and there was a small hillock in front with two trees atop. There were small hillocks scattered around in various places, all mounds of rubble from the bombing in the war. But it was the perfect small hill for sledding as a 7 year old or playing marbles on in the summer. I do remember going off the path and walking into a snow drift that practically covered me.

When the snow from winter melted very quickly at the first sign of Spring, the water had nowhere to go. The lawns became shallow ponds for days. The red wellies were perfect for stomping through the water. It was warm enough to be coatless and the water kept us amused for hours!

The following winter Simon and I felt we were ready to sled some bigger slopes.
We drove to the Grunewald and walked with dad towing the sled up the Teufelsberg, which at that time had a ski center and sledding areas. Teufelsberg is a man made mountain, again made of the rubble left from the bombing of Berlin which they used to cover a Nazi technical college which could not be destroyed.. It was topped by an American listening post. The lower slopes had young fir trees growing up it.

The sledding was wonderful on this crisp sunny sunday morning. We all took turns; in various formations on our long wooden sled. Laughing having good winter fun.
On our way back down Simon wanted to have a go as steerer, I was doubtful but climbed on the back. All was going well, we were speeding along and suddenly were in the tree’s. We could not stop until we hit a tree. I fell off hitting another tree and loosing a loose front tooth. I was angry and shocked at seeing my blood scarlet in the white snow and screamed blue murder. There was also no sign of said tooth, which meant no
tooth fairy. All of which has long been a family joke.


My other recollection of that day was how glamorous mum looked. She had on a cuddle coat, which June - her sister - had bought in the States and probably worn in Gstaad the previous winter. The cuddle coat was a three quarter, white shaggy wool with a hood that had a bright red wool lining and no buttons - hence its name cuddle coat. Mum wore it with black ski pants and boots, and looked amazing with her red hair.
The cuddle coat became mine in the 70’s and I wore it to death!

The walk back to the restaurant were we left the car was long and I complained the whole way. The restaurant was a traditional German log cabin, and it was a relief to push open the door and be greeted by the smells of smoke, beer, and hot food. We soon settled at our table in the warm smoky fug eating wiener schnitzel. Mum had a wooden platter of salami’s, smoked meats and cheeses.


These are the days for soups, stews and casseroles, that warm the house as well as our bodies.


Chicken and mushroom pie
1 rasher bacon - optional, I use turkey bacon
Olive oil
2 cups mixed mushrooms - cremini, shiitake, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
8 ounces chicken thigh fillets cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon fresh ordried thyme
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/4 cups hot chicken stock
1 tablespoon sherry
1 (13-ounce) 9 by 16-inch sheet all-butter ready-rolled puff pastry.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Saute the bacon strips in the oil until beginning to crisp , then add the sliced mushrooms and soften them in the pan with the bacon.
Turn the chicken strips in the flour and thyme (you could toss them about in a freezer bag), and then melt the butter in the pan before adding the floury chicken and all the flour left in the bag. Stir around with the bacon and mushrooms until the chicken begins to color.
Pour in the hot stock and sherry, stirring to form a sauce and let this simmer for a few minutes
Make a pastry rim for your pie dish. Dampen the edges to make them stick. Cut a circle bigger than the top of each pie-pot for the lid, and then add the chicken filling.
Dampen the edges again and then pop on the top sealing the edges with your fingers or the underneath of the prongs of a fork.
Cook the pies for about 20 minutes turning them around half way through cooking. Serve hot.





"Bare branches of each tree
on this chilly January morn
look so cold so forlorn.

Gray skies dip ever so low
left from yesterday's dusting of snow.

Yet in the heart of each tree
waiting for each who wait to see

new life as warm sun and breeze will blow,
like magic, unlock springs sap to flow,
buds,
new leaves, then blooms will grow."
-   Nelda Hartmann, January Morn