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

[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.