A Halloween Ghost Story { Part One of 3 } and Puttanesca Sauce

It's soon to be All Hallow's Eve;
the perfect time to tell a spooky story !

I could tell one of UFO's
or Angel Visitations.
But I think one about Ghosts
would probably be best.

You decide whether or not
it ever really happened.
 
No matter,
truth is always stranger than fiction
and even a vivid imagination has
a hard time making up stuff,
especially when there are witnesses.

So...as all good stories begin...



Once upon a time,
and a long - long time ago,
I came to visit a dear friend in London, 
who remains as close as a brother to me.
 
At the time, Nigel,
{ who will laugh at his nom de plume
which I have chosen more for his delight than his anonymity  },
was employed as a Man's Man in London.

In other words, he was a domestic; a Butler,
despite the fact he studied under Julia Child for years
and is an excellent Pastry Chef.

His second floor flat on the Kings Road in Chelsea, directly faced the Royal Stable.
Every day began with Royal Horse Guards in handsome uniforms of black, red and gold,
effortlessly lining up 30 or so gleaming  black stallions in the twilit morning sun. 

With an invisible command, the steeds swiftly raised their heads and legs high in unison
and pranced, clip clopping in the early hour of silence, through the misty London streets. 

There was something ethereal about watching this display at the crack of dawn
while having coffee that left me feeling good and strong for hours.

Though I was on vacation and his people were on holiday in the south of France,
Nigel was deep in the midst of reorganizing their triplex next door. 

I enjoyed spending my first day  exploring London on my own
and planned to catch up with my friend for dinner.

That evening found Nigel replacing every metal hanger
in the Master's immense clothes closet
with a new wooden one.  

I gathered the metal hangers and placed them in paper sacks
at the foot of the unmade King size bed. 

We happily chatted and worked for hours until we realized it was too late for going out.

London evenings have a foggy foreboding appeal, and this evening,
being my first, seemed especially other worldly to me.

I was glad when Nigel suggested we return to his flat
to enjoy a quick Italian dish of pasta with savory Puttanesca Sauce.

You may want to try this one on your Vegan dinner guests !
The beauty of this dish rests not only on the speed of which it can be put together,
but also the flexibility dependent upon ingredients you have on hand.

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ITALIAN  PUTTANESCA  SAUCE

YOU  WILL NEED  SOME
OF  THE  FOLLOWING:

BUTTER,   { 2 Tablespoons }

ONION,     { finely chopped }

GARLIC,    { one to three cloves -
                   mashed or minced }

TOMATOES, { use a can of crushed or chop up several fresh ripe ones }

BLACK  OLIVES, { 1/2 Cup - if you have it - sliced or diced }

GREEN OLIVES     with or without
PIMIENTO, { 1/2 Cup - sliced or diced }

ARTICHOKE  HEARTS, { 1/2 Cup - if you have it - marinated or canned, chunked }

SUN DRIED  TOMATOES, { a few or more pieces - if you have it - softened and chopped }

CAPERS, { 1 teaspoon or more }

ANCHOVIES, { 1 or 2 or 3 filets -
a most excellent "secret" ingredient, if you have it, as they will dissolve and those who claim they don't like them will  LOVE  them here, if you dare divulge !!! }

CHOPPED  FRESH  PARSLEY
CHOPPED FRESH  BASIL

1 or 2 CHERRY  PEPPERS - chopped 
- OR -
1/2 tsp or more of RED PEPPER FLAKES
- OR -
a few splashes TOBASCO

OLIVE  OIL
GRATED  CHEESE

WHAT  TO  DO  WITH  WHAT  YOU  GOT:

• In a large pot, melt butter and quickly saute onions.

• Put everything else,{ EXCEPT OLIVE OIL and GRATED CHEESE }, in the pot and bring to a boil.
  

• Turn down to a simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  

• In the meantime, choose a pasta and cook it al dente; usually 8 minutes ! 
  

• Drain the pasta and stir in some Olive Oil.

• Spoon a serving of pasta into a bowl.

• Spoon some sauce over the top.

• Scatter some  GRATED  CHEESE over that

• and drizzle with some more  OLIVE  OIL.

• Pour a glass of red wine and break off a chunk of nice bread.

• Smile on yourself and enjoy good eats !

TO  BE  CONTINUED...

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