when i was in theater school, my fellow classmates and i spent two weeks in stratford-upon-avon studying with the royal shakespeare company. we landed there just a few days after september 11th, 2001 and found that once in england, we were treated like heroes. because we had been isolated on a converted barn in southern connecticut without tv/internet (theatre hippies) when september 11th took place, we were slightly unaware of how major the attacks had been and how deeply they had resonated around the world. needless to say, we were baffled by our celebrity-esque treatment in england, but being performers, we took it all in stride. despite the chaos and the tragedy back home, it was a wonderful time to be an american in england. i fell in love with the cobblestone streets and the quaint flats that lined our walk to the studio where we rehearsed every day. we got to stay in a charming bed and breakfast run by a lovely lady and her young daughter. in the morning we would all sleepily trudge down the stairs and sit around wooden tables as this humble woman asked us what we would like to eat. there were only a few options, but they were all delicious sounding and cooked by her moments after we gave her our orders. after some initial hesitation, i finally asked for the eggs with beans and tomatoes. i had never had beans for breakfast, and was curious about this classic british morning meal. turns out, eggs with beans and tomatoes is amazing and i would look forward to this homey and satisfying breakfast every day before heading to class.
a few years later while on vacation in hong kong, i was thrilled to discover that the buffet breakfast at our hotel included fluffy eggs, roasted tomatoes, baked beans, and a fried potato product reminiscent of a mcdonald's hash brown (um, yum). hong kong, which was under british rule until the late 90's, is an international hub of business and a melting pot of eastern and western culture. my boyfriend (mark) and i would happily devour this imperial breakfast every morning before stepping out onto the streets lined with dried-fish and enigmatic medicinal products.
these days when i want something special to eat, i try to recreate this breakfast, often with a few variations. lately i can't seem to get enough kale; i swear, i've been incorporating it into almost every meal i eat. i had some at home that i cooked for just a few minutes with garlic, and added vegetarian sausage patties, scrambled eggs, and sliced tomatoes quickly sauteed with salt & pepper and a can of eden organic baked beans. voila! my favorite breakfast because it makes me nostalgic for my past travels and because it is healthy, hearty, and so yummy. i think i'm also craving it because i'm gearing up for my trip to london. oh yeah, did i mention i'm going to london? yep, in the middle of june i'll be hopping across the pond with mark to visit some friends. we'll be making stops in scotland and paris, too! but first, i'm heading to san diego to visit my family and mark, who is currently performing in the whipping man at the old globe theater. when he's done with the show we'll be heading overseas. i'm leaving new york for almost all of june, and i don't think i've never been so excited before! i have been planing this trip for a few months, and now that it is near i have been feeling almost euphorically happy. i think the sunshine has a lot to do with it, but i have been so content lately walking around my neighborhood and admiring the produce stands and all the happy people eating outside and spending lazy days at the parks. life is good.
besides my impending vacation, a few other things have been making me really happy these days. to name a few:
golden mangoes-- i can't stop eating these. softer, sweeter, and creamier than the more ubiquitous red & green variety, i can't get enough of this amazing fruit.
seasonal vegetables like fava beans, morels, ramps, & fiddle heads. in springtime, these veggies get more action than tiger woods. enjoy them while they're here--they don't stick around for very long.
passion play by sarah ruhl-- i recently got to see this triumphant production of sarah ruhl's epic play. if you are anywhere near ft. greene, brooklyn, go see it. every aspect of this production from the brilliantly used set pieces to the excellent acting is exhilarating.
the return of glee. it's totally shameless, not even slightly realistic and utterly hilarious. i watch it on hulu and it makes me happy.
happy spring!
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