Gastronomy

Vegetarian Potstickers with Cranberry Chutney; my contribution to the what-has-now-become-the-every-other-weekly neighborhood ladies get together.

Who knew that if you crumbled firm tofu with a fork and sauteed it in olive and sesame oil till crispy while seasoning it generously, that it would taste nothing like tofu? Not that tofu tastes like anything but you know what I mean. Furthermore, if you combine it with finely shredded cabbage, grated carrot, scallions, ginger and garlic, stuff it into wonton wrappers, steam it and then fry it just a bit so the bottoms are crunchy plus provide a savory/sweet jewel-colored dipping sauce, you are most assured that every lady will eat five or more despite all the other food (also scrumptious) on the table.

The theme was 'Thanksgiving Tapas'; a test run for a concept that could threaten the very core of that sacred Thanksgiving tradition: to make the same menu as last year and eat till you drop. There were little bits of Thanksgiving on the table: pumpkin fondue with apple and pear wedges, sweet potato rounds topped with walnut, gorgonzola and celery, potato skins with sour cream and chives, but no turkey or ham. I know, sacrilege.

In the end, it was decided by all except myself (we've done the vegetarian tapas Thanksgiving for at least twenty years) that the tradition wasn't being threatened at all, delicious as everything was, because tapas has one flaw: it doesn't provide the necessary leftovers so coveted, specifically, the pile of turkey and bones that makes its way into soups and sandwiches for two weeks after Thanksgiving. More importantly, you don't mess with tradition.

I love my neighbor ladies. You get a bit of wine into them and learn some things that you didn't know.