If you knew a single one of all the things that I've done

[sovay]

I am no longer in Providence. I am rather exhausted (read: there must be a brain in here somewhere), but I am very glad I went. See greygirlbeast for details.

Best thing I didn't expect to be told tonight by a stranger: "I love the brains of poets." She had been talking about Poe and Violet Jacob, but I had to restrain myself from asking whether she preferred them braised or sautéed.

Comments

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

With a scattering of parsley.

Nine

[sovay]

With a scattering of parsley.

I don't think you can dip bitter herbs in cerebrospinal fluid . . .

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

No, capers, delicately fried!

[sovay]

No, capers, delicately fried!

I do like capers . . .

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

Fritter of Poet's Brain with Fried Caper Garnish

- 1 whole poet brain, soaked in water overnight
- 1/2 gallon brine (formula follows)
- 1 cup fine breadcrumbs
- Oil for deep frying

Brine

- 1/2 gallon water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 6 bay leaves
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon peppercorns
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar

Bring brine ingredients to a boil, then chill overnight.

To prepare poet-brain fritters:

1. Bring chilled brine to a boil and tip the brain in, immediately turning off the heat.

2. Allow brains to cool in the brine. This will impart flavor, poach and lightly cure the brain, and draw out any impurities.

3. Heat oil to 360 degrees in a wide, heavy- bottomed skillet.

4. Cut the brain into 6 -8 thin slices and pat breadcrumbs onto both sides of each slice.

5. Carefully lower the brain slices into the oil so they don’t touch or overcrowd each other.

6. When golden brown, remove onto paper towels, pat gently, and season with salt and pepper.

Garnish with fried capers (follows) and a touch of prosody.

For Fried Caper Garnish:

- 1/4 cup capers
- oil for frying

Rinse capers in a sieve and transfer to a small bowl. Add enough water to cover capers by 2 inches, then soak 30 minutes. Repeat soaking method.

Drain and rinse capers, then pat very dry between paper towels.

Heat oil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer. Fry capers in 2 batches until golden, 30 to 45 seconds per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and return oil to 375°F between batches.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest Sichuan style hot-potting the brain (after being chilled overnight, naturally) with lots of chilies.

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

Ma Poet Brain Fu?

[sovay]

I was going to suggest Sichuan style hot-potting the brain (after being chilled overnight, naturally) with lots of chilies.

Oh, that sounds good.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

It's actually the only time I ever tried brain. My secret English class at the construction company in Dongguan dragged me out to a hot-pot place and stuffed me silly. I miss those guys.

[sovay]

My secret English class at the construction company in Dongguan dragged me out to a hot-pot place and stuffed me silly. I miss those guys.

From that anecdote alone, they sound awesome.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

They were. Gods, I miss teaching.

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Hahaha.

I need to catch up on your posts! You probably have poems out there I haven't read :) I'm also still searching for the poem you wrote on that Hebrew prayer about people being God's light. Any chance it has been published somewhere?

[sovay]

I'm also still searching for the poem you wrote on that Hebrew prayer about people being God's light. Any chance it has been published somewhere?

Yes! Sybil's Garage #7. Can be purchased from many fine online venues. Enjoy!

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I will be purchasing :) Your poem helped me focus a short story, which now turned into a screenplay, and I want to quote the prayer in the screenplay, though it was your interpretation that woke me to see the beauty.

[sovay]

Your poem helped me focus a short story, which now turned into a screenplay, and I want to quote the prayer in the screenplay, though it was your interpretation that woke me to see the beauty.

Wow. Thank you.

May I read the screenplay sometime?

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Of course! Thank you for asking.

I'll soon read your poem again and then go back and see what more I can instill in the screenplay--the feeling I want to portray--and then be in touch with you. Thank you.

[sovay]

I'll soon read your poem again and then go back and see what more I can instill in the screenplay--the feeling I want to portray--and then be in touch with you. Thank you.

You're very welcome. In any case, the proverb:

נר ה' נשמת אדם

Ner Adonai nishmat adam: the human spirit is the candle of God.

[clarionj.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you. I'd forgotten it was "candle." I've a blank space where the character speaks this prayer. I'll go fill it now and then see what other magic I can raise when your poem arrives.

[rushthatspeaks.livejournal.com]

I tend to prefer poet's brains shaken, not stirred.

[sovay]

I tend to prefer poet's brains shaken, not stirred.

I'm afraid right now you get scrambled, but I'll see what I can do about the lemon peel.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

...I had to restrain myself from asking whether she preferred them braised or sautéed.

I'm rather 'mazed that you were able to restrain yourself, i'truth.

Had to restrain myself from singing "Danny Boy Rest in Pieces" at a gig today. Bit disappointed that I only got to sing once--perhaps I should've just gone ahead and done it, although I do enjoy "The Lakes of Ponchartrain" and I reckon tis the safer choice.

[sovay]

Had to restrain myself from singing "Danny Boy Rest in Pieces" at a gig today.

greygirlbeast linked this.