Turned 59 Today

[viejomajadero]

A few years back I had a heart attack while on a hike in Yosemite Nat Park.

That meant for me certain foods will be denied, except for today. Today I am on my annual cholesterol binge.

As I write this commentary I am leaving greasy fingerprints on my laptop keys. I do not care, I wait all year for this moment. This annual feast of my favorite forbidden fruit.

I just packed my wifes lunch for work. Read all my birthday cards accumulated throughout the week. Gave her a kiss and a have a good day. Waved as she went out the door. Then turned and ran to the Viking. Prepared my breakfast. I have to admit, no one does it better.

Lightly toasted on the outside Portugese roll, sliced open and steaming. Two fried eggs cooked just enough to solidify the white but not enough prevent, endless it seems, golden yellow yolk running with every bite. The eggs are place between layers of cooked through, brown on the middle and crispy on the edge --- Taylor Ham.

I place this masterpiece on my kitchen table. Coffee, fresh brewed at my side. It is one year ago today that I last had this beautiful sandwich before me. Gently I took my first bite and that explosion of yolk gushed forth -- not better than sex but close. Ok, I've come down from my high - enough to share this moment.

I am sated. But thinking about lunch -- I think fried chicken from my local Pathmark. I really wish there was a local restaurant with suckling pig coated in very crispy skin. Yeah. And for dinner, well its family time but I think something from Calandras bakery with loads for creamy stuff will do.

I'm sorry. I got carried away with myself. My birthday is all about me.

But --- what would your once a year post heart attack birthday be like?

Viejo Majadero

Cranky old man

[bigbear]

.....

Lightly toasted on the outside Portugese roll, sliced open and steaming.  Two fried eggs cooked just enough to solidify the white but not enough prevent, endless it seems, golden yellow yolk running with every bite.  The eggs are place between layers of cooked through, brown on the middle and crispy on the edge ---  Taylor Ham. 

.....

←

What..... no cheese?

Feliz cumpleanos.

[DTBarton]

There must be a rib joint somewhere around! It's not too late!

[racheld]

Feliz, ditto........

That breakfast is one for the ages...it's perfect.

The rib suggestion was great; and for finger-smearing, lip-smacking, once-a-year binges, there's nothing like PORK. You don't have to have the whole pig. Just go get a nice hefty pork roast with a bone in, rub it with some salt and pepper and whatever suits your fancy, sock it in the oven about three hours before dinner, and relax.

Your family will come home to luscious aromas, a rested and happy birthday boy, and a GREAT dinner, with the addition of all those wonderful gooey bakery treats.

And no regrets tomorrow. Promise?

[KatieLoeb]

Feliz Cumpleanos, Viejo! Enjoy your feasting and stay majadero.

Surely there must be somewhere to find some pernil near you today, no?

[Verjuice]

Happy Birthday!

My dad had high cholesterol his entire life until he finally agreed to start taking Lipitor last year. He's always been trim and fit, but even though he had eaten like a bird (muesli, rice, egg whites, fish, plain pasta, a spot of red wine with dinner) since his college years and runs five miles a day, he simply could not lower his cholesterol level with lifestyle modification.

So, now, every three months he allows himself an appetizer-sized portion of whatever organ meat he's been forbidden to eat for several decades. A sliver of foie gras or a morsel of sweetbreads. I'd probably do the same but finish with some stilton (a wheel) and a bowl (a gallon) of ice cream.

[lcdm]

Happy Birthday.

You could always go down to Newark and have the shrimp w/garlic and Rodizio, and than go to Calandras.

[Curlz]

Happy Birthday, Viejo! I was going to offer the same suggestion; head to the Ironbound. Pathmark fried chicken just can't be worth it on ANY day!

ENJOY.

Curlz

[viejomajadero]

To

Curlz. Thank you. My Pathmark makes great fried chicken. Get it while it is hot.

Icdm. Thank you. Also Kids took me to Calandras Medit. Grill. Had dessert there coated in wax.

Verjuice. Thanks For me it is Zocor.

Katie. Thanks Does Philly miss my brat number Two? She decided after 4 years at Penn, 2 years making Mojitos in Philly, and very good ones I might add, to go to a freezer box called Cornel Law. I'm sure Cafe Habana misses her but what about the rest of the city?

Racheld. Thanks also. Your suggestion is on my short list since I do the cooking here.

DTBarton. Thanks. No rib joint in sight, but I dream of Rondezvoux in New Orleans getting back on its feet.

Bigbear. Yeah no cheese. Don't mix my dairy and meat. (That was a joke

Thanks again to all.

Viejo Majadero

[dvs]

TAYLOR HAM!!!!!!

i had my 1st taylor ham, egg & cheese on the jersey shore a couple years back... i still YEARN for it!!

[suzilightning]

feliz as well... to another year! and may it be healthier and better than the last!

around here it's acme fried chicken but what about a nice 1" thick strip steak - grilled- yeah, grilled. left to rest then sprinkled with some sea salt.

ohhhhhh onion confit to go with it!!

finish with some chocolate truffles or a slab of my black forest mousse pie

a good red wine and some bubbly.

whatever you decide post it here:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...birthday+dining

i'm still working on how to get the pictures from my 51st on there. i'd loan you the birthday tiara but don't know if it would fit

[Rebecca263]

I hope that you had the happiest birthday ever!

[viejomajadero]

To

DVS - Thanks

Suzilightning -- Did my wife squeal about my Tiara thing? Thanks

Rebecca263 -- Thanks. Was my first birthday celebration with a grandchild present. He was teriffic. I was the one who was crying.

Tonight is my real celebration. Off to Zarole, just with my wife, my tiara, wine glasses, and a bottle from my cellar. Probably Haute Brion or La Mission Haute Brion from the 80's but may go high end California.

Viejo

Edited September 17, 2005 by viejomajadero (log)

[Ninjai Fanatic]

Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a great time