thanksgiving dinner 2006 some food: a feast for john ashbery

8/6/2019 Thanksgiving Dinner 2006 Some Food: A Feast for John Ashbery

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SOME

FOOD

Thanksgiving Dinner 2006Guest of Honor John Ashbery

By Geoffrey Gatza



Thanksgiving Dinner 2006Guest of Honor John Ashbery



Apex of Toems

APÉRITIF

Rosé

AMUSE-BOUCHE

OssetraRoasted Cauliflower EmulsionHudson ValleySauternesLiquid Black Truffle

POTAGE ET SALADE

ConsomméRootEnglish PeaHawaiianBlue PotatoesPeriwinklesVanilla

PLAT PRINCIPAL

Peking TurkeySage PumpkinseedRed & Gold Roasted BeetsCabbageSweet-PotatoBlanc MangerParfumé À L’estragon

}

I’m InventingMostly

Risotto

DESSERT ET DIGESTIF

La Bûche

Cortland AppleArmagnac



M e n u

APÉRITIF

Veuve Clicquot Rosé Reserve Champagne 1995

AMUSE-BOUCHE

Une Déclinaison: Caviar, Foie gras ‘torchon’, Truffes French farm-raised ossetra caviar with roasted cauliflower emulsion, Hudson Valley foiegras ‘mi-cuit’ in sauternes with house brioche, and liquid black truffle

POTAGE ET SALADE

Consommérich double duck consommé with brunoise of celery root, crimini, sweet carrot andEnglish pea, and truffle quenelles

Coeur de Palmier fresh Hawaiian heart of palm, curly endive, grapes poached in vanilla, blue potatoes,

periwinkles and mango dressing

PLAT PRINCIPAL

Peking Roasted Free-Range Turkey With Sage Pumpkinseed Dressing, localred and gold roasted beets, cabbage confit, sweet-potato dauphinois, savouryblanc manger and “risotto” of cauliflower, sauce parfumé à l’estragon

DESSERT ET DIGESTIF

La bûche de Noël et ArmagnacA log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts clouds with Cortland apple ice cream.Representative of the special wood log burned from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day in thePérigord, which is a holdover from a pagan Gaul celebration. Armagnac is a distilled grape brandy

produced in Gascony, just southeast of Bordeaux, France.



Rosé

How contumely clear away the falling autumn leaves, winter is on the

way! God Damn! What is it that I can do for you? Sincerely, what

tribute can I make for, him, the The poet of our time. Pointedly, whatwould you do? I mean really what would you do? Ask over some

friends, have some tannic wine and savagely cubed cheese. Have someoaf spill wine all over his shirt while his friend chats up the crowds. An

inspired tribute indeed. Would you then maybe place his name on a

library wall or against an elegant stack of columns in a green square inthe park or ordain in his honor the local penitentiary’s infirmary?

How indeed? If it were up to me, I would make this fancy meal, the

best, most innovative of events for twelve hundred poets! Ask all toraise in toast, one glass of sparkling roses. Inhaling, saying nothing,

drinking in the shooting stars of imagined evenings someplace else, we,

all alone among all of our friends.

[

It would be this silence

that would be the ultimatehonorarium to you,

my dearest,

Ashbery ]



AMUSE-BOUCHE

Une Déclinaison: Caviar, Foie gras ‘torchon’, Truffes

French farm-raised ossetra caviar with roasted cauliflower emulsion, HudsonValley foie gras in sauternes with grilled brioche, and liquid black truffle



Ossetra

Thinking about freedom through this thin pane of glass,

I can look at the wind blowing my dinner away. The sun

is so hot here, but it is somewhere near this place that Ientered . I cannot find

my way out.

The spider turns over

and over as if I am going to die here. When I am tired

then well maybe. He’ll try but not now. His childrenare still on Erm’s wing, chewing what little remains.

What will I tell my own children about these timeswhen they run into other children and they ask, hey

what does your dad do and they’ll have to look downsay something like, he was eaten by something larger.



Roasted Cauliflower Emulsion

a compote of disappointment with gouda on sevengrain

Everybody is very sensitive to hear of pale cauliflowers

colliding with brick walls completed drill after

drill we were prepared for this, this artistic disaster. Firstresponders

well, responded, of course we all know what we thought,

first, but all evidence suggests that this was basically

Gouache on cardboard with cut-outs

We do not release any titles until we notify next of kin, but we want

To reassure, that even with the glass breaking and the grey smoke rising,This was obviously not an attack, arriving on the scene

Nobody else could substantiate that … it is either or some kind of



Hudson ValleyFor Dr. Slessinger

Nothing is gone except, well, everything.

The magic, evacuated. With the best intentions in the world,

the nuns have ruined the Men’s Room.

A lifeless harlequin wearing long mannequin robes of red Chinese silk.

An out dated fashion reminiscing old Venice, half moons phasing.

A slipping memory into the night, black sturgeons rafting up valley.

The specimen are standing outside their room quarreling with popes and

kings, engaged with lumber wars. The cosmic struggle between the truth and

the lie meeting the differing needs of the age and culture, and the empty pestilences and their women and their red plaid bundle of soft cheeses for

sale in the parking lots.

Objectivity never makes anyone happy.



Sauternes

She controls a vast international art empire, and is designed, she says,

to make the world a better place.

But for those who are aware of the body, he is proving to be

as controversial in death as he was in life.

I am here, nailing a raindrop to the wall

Bored by the classics and determined to test new forms and limits, is

exploring her options while she still has them.

Zoroaster laughed on the day of his birth!



Liquid Black Truffle

Now I have my finger prints all over it. Almost too easy to go in and buy

this gold pen. You have the money and she is all very kind. But the other day I didn’t have anything and she was not that nice. It was not the store,

making her go all funny it was her own self policing, get back in the herd,

mooor her manager, moo he was outside smoking, I saw him when I entered.

He told me not to stay long, so I didn’t. And I didn’t as they don’t give out

Gold pens to people who have nothing.

moo

and I had nothing on, well I had a lightfor the manager’s cigarette, he asked me for a light, I had a book of matches.

He looked at me and gave me that look that you give … you know that scowl

mooo

And so she was nice as pie, asking Gertrude all sweet like, go and get that

nice pen for the man in the red coat. I was naked last time I was here, moo;she was not sweet old Melly that day. No! A naked man with no money and

no manager on the floor is enough to even make your dear granny go gaga.



POTAGE ET SALADE

Consommé

rich double duck consommé with brunoise of celery root, crimini, sweet carrot andEnglish pea, and truffle quenelles

Coeur de Palmier

fresh Hawaiian heart of palm, curly endive, grapes poached in vanilla, blue potatoes, periwinkles and mango dressing



Consommé

The fly is in the soup

And the trick is to make this as clear as possible. That means to remove theproteins from the liquid, trap them essentially in the foam, and that will causeflavor to be removed as well. So you will have to replace that in the raft. If you slice in long thin strips, fine like hair, the onion, celery and carrot thenmix that with the whites and then add that to the just-before-simmering stock, bring slowly up to heat while stirring cautiously so as to make a raftbut not overly disturb the process from happening. You might end up with atissue paper stew. Time is required to do this properly and if you cannotafford the time then simply open a can of broth. You’ll save time and ablazing headache. It’s a lot to learn and hard to pass down from paper. You

need my hand to guide your hand, not word for deed. And besides, once youget past the seeing it, the clarity of the matter, it’s only a fancy thin soup.Campbell’s will please more people as this is what they grew up on. Standing in lunch lines with orangey pink trays waiting for beef barley, a break fromraking leaves, a thermos at half time. These memories are your soup’s enemy,you must contend with these before you set the match to the stove and ignitethat pilot. No trick will do. When it comes to soup, mind, it is the lightwarmth of velvet sleep you try to recreate.



Root

Don’t make me talk about that because you know I will.His dragon called out to me from the shelf, remember.I learned my greatest lesson, letting her go on her own.His morbid curiosity with insects is rather disturbing.Drove candy left in his wreath over to their new place.If you could play well it would be something different.That cap makes you look dignified, really I like it/you.Holy crap look outside, it’s only October and it snows.

Fairy godmother of us all you beautiful gray muse.Your endless compassion for all our broken people.

In jail for two felonies, I thought that gin was water.A stalwart figure of silent strength, father for adults.Time moves differently when you curl within him.You have that motherly attraction to whom we open.I admire her and feel sorry for her at the same time.The craftiest fucker alive since Ulysses was Odysseus.Not sure what will happen really, his noose is slackened.All your troubles would be solved if you had some sex.

You were acting like you on coke, so it became normal.Cash money ain’t nothing for a fool, watch TV mother.If I could separate him from his world, fill empty vessels.With that gone you look don’t look like your evil twin.What the fuck am I going to do with you, I mean fuck.Like sitting in front of the Monsignor confessing it all.If they found out about any of that you’d be exposed.The one who could sign off our cartoon, that’s all folk’s.Must have a curse on her or something, such bad luck.Best person in the world, you’d replace family for him.

He sat right on my feet the first time we met, good boy.Light comes from her artistic soul, refracted butterflies. Just so damn nice to be around and yet your never there.

Never met him so I can’t say for sure, but sounds nice.Her one word was crunchy Templeton the rat’s terrific.Even the fashions change to meet her pregnant body.He’s not a bum at all, just needed the job not the hair.You can never really be sure what he doesn’t not fix.Sexiest when they are as insecure as your dire enemy.Her hair is always set differently and that is all I have.



English Pea

If you look directly over there you will see a photo of a fruit bat.It is the one I raised up from a little furry mosquito, the face of A baby rat in a leather shawl, a plaid sentimentality overtakes meWhen I think on dear old Alfy, or Lord Venison, or Matilda’s fav,Tennisanyone. What one will allow to be a part of one’s family, eh.

No not very conventional, no, not as exquisite as say a leopard, theAjax’s never seem to stop fawning over theirs, or orangutans, elksOr centipedes. Yes, our little Alfy was, as the neighborhood neverCeases to describe as a disgusting darkening bat, never filthy, mindYou, disgusting. His velvet cage was not as grand as the Norman’s

But you would find it quite comfortable if you, yourself, found yourSelf without a room and this to your size, the finest of bat beds made.No it’s true, and I will prove as much when we visit the estate laterThis evening. You will of course meet Matilda, those rotten AjaxesWith their mangy lap cat will no doubt be dropping in, unexpectedly

As is their way, you know; Luxemburgish. One would think they coulduse a telephone for something other than a tether for their little monsters,but no, it’s oh did you see what Trixie did this afternoon, or my mistermuscles can recite Dante. Oh it’s truly delightful the shameful way inwhich they continually embarrass their standings in the lodge. No wonder

why they say what they do, but they are as they are, I am only repeating what they are saying in the streets. It’s better to know what the word is,don’t you agree? Of course you do you being a man of the world and all.Oh Gar con, would you freshen up our drinks, they seem have gone south.So you were saying, that a little bit of dishonesty in business practice is

Viewed acceptable, indeed. Please go on, I merely wanted to locate you



Hawaiian

I don’t suffer from hallucinations I did see those bodies, waking.The walking dead hold the sleeves of the dancing white vampire

before the carved expressionof a macadamia nut Tiki god.

How did they disconnect the generator? How will we survive without power?Are fighting to take control of our minds, our souls and commanding us dance.

With the evil deadancient civilizationThe captain afraid

Laser rifle pointed. I hear something. What was that? Who’s there?I saw it out of the corner of my eye, I turned, snap they were gone.

Distant red light flashing terror.A woman screams everywhere,there! tell me who did it

She’s in shock. Nothing It was nothing She just broke down

Tell me what’s happening, now!



Blue Potatoes

To be placed on the menu

of my last meal before executionA taste poem

Some things one cannot say:

Gather ingredients together on a plate. Then place one at a time in the mouth.

Chew up and enjoy it’s simplicity and then directly proceed to next item for the flow and context of the poem.

1. Ice cold strawberry

2. Dip rest of strawberry in melted Belgian milk chocolate

3. One leaf of tarragon

4. Cold grilled beef tenderloin

5. Sirachi hot sauce

6. Half of a boiled, chilled Peruvian purple potato drizzled with olive oil and sea salt



Periwinkles

Sunlight’s Haze in Summertime Dusk A taste poem

Some things one cannot say:

Gather ingredients together on a plate. Then place one at a time in the mouth.Chew up and enjoy it’s simplicity and then directly proceed to next item for

the flow and context of the poem.

1) Cold wildflower honey

2) One leaf of flat Italian parsley

3) Slice of a yellow tomato

4) Slice of yellow watermelon

5) Slice of cucumber with olive oil and salt and pepper

6) A thin slice of cold red bliss potato with a drop of fresh lemon juice



Vanilla

Angry vanillaAngry in our sweater vests

To strive, to find, to ask,

at a tailgate party on Football Sunday

in front of mothers grilling meat, corn;fathers and boys imbibing pig bladders

Zooks! For just a moment please,

stop

the

war



PLAT PRINCIPAL

Peking Roasted Free-Range Turkey With Sage Pumpkinseed Dressing,local red and gold roasted beets, cabbage confit, sweet-potato dauphinois, savoryblanc manger and “risotto” of cauliflower, sauce parfumé à l’estragon



Risotto

Winter is icumen in,Lhude sing Goddamm,Raineth drop and staineth slop,And how the wind doth ramm!Sing: Goddamm.Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,An ague hath my ham.Damm you; Sing: Goddamm.Goddamm, Goddamm, 'tis why I am, Goddamm,So 'gainst the winter's balm.Sing goddamm, damm, sing goddamm,

Sing goddamm, sing goddamm, DAMM™.

™ Sumer Is Icumen In was parodied in Ancient Music; Ezra Pound (Lustra collection, 1913-1915)



DESSERT ET DIGESTIF

La bûche de Noël et ArmagnacA log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts clouds with Cortland apple ice cream.

Representative of the special wood log burned from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, which is a holdover from a pagan celebration in Gaul. Armagnac is a distilled grapebrandy produced in Gascony, just southeast of Bordeaux, France.



La Bûche

Ginger Syrup in Four Variations

Similar ingredients arranged differently take an astonishing turn

[ 1 ] Mild1 pound fresh ginger, large chop

1 Cup Sugar1 cup white wine or Champagne

Cook until syrupy consistency. Leave ginger in mix over night then strain.

[ 2 ] Hot1 pound fresh ginger, finely mince

1 Cup Sugar1 cup white wine or Champagne


[ 3 ] Ruby1 pound fresh ginger, large chop

1 Cup Sugar1 cup Red wine


[ 4 ] Mahogany1 pound fresh ginger, large chop

1 Cup Sugar, caramelized dark1 cup white wine or Champagne




Cortland Apple

Geoff’s Thai Yellow Curry

4 Tbsp good Madras Curry powder and a knob of creamery butter

Sauté out the curry powder for at least 1 minute an a half or until toasted add to it:

4 or 5 cloves Garlic minced finely2 Tbsp Ginger finely grated – really fine or you’ll be chewing on it later1 or 2 Red peppers fine dice1 or 2 Yellow peppers fine dice1 Vidalia Onion fine diceBasil handful chiffonade

1 Jalapeño small, fine dice with no seeds.

Cook the curry powder and then on high heat!!!! add the garlic and cook for a few minutes,then add the ginger and cook out, then add the Jalapeño and cook it out some, then add theonion and cook for 4 minutes until the onion is caramelized. Then add the peppers and cookthem. Then add the liquid ingredients below.

2 can’s Coconut milk½ cup Real and I mean real maple syrup, not that pancake topper crap, won’t workfor this or make ginger syrup with a large ginger root sliced up nicely added to 1 cupwhite wine and 1 cup sugar – cook until thick and syrupy.1 can ginger ale or pale ale depending on if you make with ginger syrup or not.

Heavy cream to make it even

Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes then add

4 or 5 Chicken breast cut in stripsYellow squash cut in stripsZucchini cut in strips2 Cortland Apples, dicedAny other veggies you may want to add and is not on list

Cook for a half hour or until chicken is done.Serve over quality jasmine rice with India Pale Ale.



Armagnac

Wasabi Mayonnaise

4 tablespoons of a quality Wasabi paste.If you use powdered, mix with white wine to bloom for 15 minutes into paste

1 cup Basic Mayonnaise2 tablespoons Rice wine vinegar4 tablespoons Vermont Maple Syrup1 Scallion, sliced finely1 Teaspoon Ginger finely grated – really fine or you’ll be chewing on it later¼ cup plain yogurt or sour cream

Vietnamese Chili Garlic Sauce to tasteSalt, white pepper and nutmeg to taste

Mix all ingredients together chill for at least half an hour.

thanksgiving dinner 2006 some food: a feast for john ashbery

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