Barbara Bretton: Wish You Were Here

What's Cooking?

The Food Goddess is in the Kitchen! I am delighted beyond words to present my friend, my pal, Kali Amanda Browne (daughter of the beauteous and talented Marie) aka The Food Goddess. Enjoy!

Caviar Starts the Year Richly

New Year's Day is the time most people choose to begin diets and promise themselves the undertaking of healthier eating habits. It's a knee-jerk reaction to their recently past sins of the holiday season. Most fail within a week.

It is far more reasonable to start such endeavors for Spring. I say that in the cold months you need to winterize far more than just the windows.

One of our Russian friends gave us a tiny container full of beautiful caviar – not the lumpfish variety that us poor folk must buy in order not to sell the TV, CD collection and all our jewelry just for a taste. This is the good stuff: amber colored ova of salty delights!

This recipe is a culinary instigation of our defiance: we will have a rich and plentiful year, dammit! The fact that you may need a defibrillator on the side is just an opportunity to add zip to your life . . .

First, I finely minced a small onion or a couple of shallots. I sauté these in a little bit of unsalted butter until translucent. I throw in a dash of chili powder for an undercurrent of heat. I use a 10-inch pan with a steam button. This is not the ascribed use for this pan, but it works for me.

While this is happening, I break up some eggs (2 per person) add a couple of tablespoons of half and half, some garlic powder and chili powder and beat until frothy. Then I mince some fresh dill. I gently fold in the eggs and cover with dill, lower the flame and cook until the eggs are set (usually between 8 – 12 minutes). When the eggs are done, I cut them into slices and top each slice with a heaping spoon of sour cream and then another spoonful of caviar. It's customary to wash this down with an amusing little sparkling wine.

A few pieces of toasted bread (Carbs? What carbs? We ain't afraid of no stinkin' carbs!) will soak up whatever high caloric sop is left on your plate. You can promise to be good after that. Happy New Year!

You can email me at kali.templeofdoom@gmail.com.