Rescue Me

24 March 2021: The morning after Israel’s 4th National Election in two years. I’m preparing a comfort food picnic — vegan version — for a mother and child reunion. Love and happiness. And solace in the face of more of the same shit. I added a generous side of some pickled jerusalem artichokes I just prepared, bread-and-butter pickles, thick slices of tomato, a side of fruit salad, and a thermos of iced tea.

To me, this is what the essence of a good meal is all about: good friends and family, healthy, fresh, and well-prepared food, no pretense. In a word (well two actually): Comfort Food. I think the pandemic has had a lot to do in a positive way with enabling folks at least in the neighborhood of our soul food kitchen to rediscover the joys of simple/elegant meals together. Strip away the artifices of restaurant service and decor and prices and what you have left is the essence of what really matters.

Enough said.