CREAM OF CAULI AND KALE

 

And cherry on top (with enough for a dipped dessert). 

Leaving solo for a few years now (since my departure from NYC), I suppose I have proudly picked up my '"fast food" cooking skills - (it didn't take long for me to sear a whole washed head of cauli in a deep pot with oil and W. African spices, and when scalding and smoking add water and salt, then cover with lid; while the high heat compresses the steam and cooks the head good, after about eight minutes reduce heat to medium; and while simmering prepare your kale, leaves only, wash and wring them in filtered water, then add to pot, letting all macerate and liquefy) - but without compromising quality. 

For one, the food-growing ethos here on the island are producing exceptional vegetables; and two, a weekend is always a time to write - and that's my love now. I was really surprised when I had found the cherries at Tamura's yesterday for cheap (under 3 bucks for a quarter pound), and I got two packs. This morning I pulled them out from the fridge after my swim, and boy the refreshing sweetness popped in my mouth! And I was hungrier than ever. (Truth: I don't have a car and I walk a couple of miles from my place to Iao Valley through a winding and rolling forest-y road, with a weighted backpack for body strengthening; I leave at 4:30am because I want to catch the sunrise at the spring at around 6 when I arrive on top, and I don't eat anything except coffee; instead I chant and meditate on the road for endurance.) And by the time I make it back home, I'm about to melt. And that's why I had learned to cook incredibly fast to save my life, so to speak. 

Luckily a local man and his wife gave me a ride on back of their pick up and dropped me off at Market street. On our way I had the view of the mountain and the scenic road and for a second when windblown I had a glimpse of one of my past travels to Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (visiting a tea plantation), I had also hitched hike that time and was seated on the corner of a small flatbed truck, and having a time of my life. I don't remember if I had anything to eat on the road to Cameron but everything there was wild - the scenery, the weather, and the heart of the traveler passing through a foreign country and saying to himself come what may I had a journal in my pack.  

So to the right is the photo of cherries dipped in melted truffle fudge. The soup was superb - really healing and restorative - but this "sundae" is a treat. As to plunge in the sofa after full of food, and relax all day long.