A Small Tale from Pilgrim Pearl!

drawing by ana traina

Pilgrim Pearl was not invited to Bluejay Souffle Tuesday.  Perhaps, this was because she was full of wanderlust and therefore was never at home to receive such invitations. Or perhaps, it was because she had a pet deer named, Chestnut. Or perhaps, it was only because she was very, very small and easy to over look. Yet, there was also the distinct possibility that it wasn’t for any of these reasons at all, but for some other entirely different reason altogether, for which she could not even begin to fathom.  None the less, Pilgrim Pearl's feelings were positively wounded.

So, you can just imagine Pilgrim Pearl’s tickled bemusement when from under a corn stalk she spied, Nastia’s surprise as she unsuspectingly found that she had been the victim of a most heinous and terrible crime. Yes, Nastia’s garden patch had been stripped bare to the very tippy top of the carrot tops, by the likes of the unsavory and notorious Rabbit Patch Gang! 

Pilgrim Pearl watched as Nastia grew more and more betwixted, between and bewitched, for she knew not what to do! She studied Nastia as she bravely thought about her grandfather’s roast possum stew with beer gravy mixed with chopped brussel sprouts.  But of course, Pilgrim Pearl knew as well as Nastia, that that would never, never, never suffice! 

Pilgrim Pearl now gawked as Nastia near stumbled and fell, and then swooningly sat on a nearby rock to steady herself.  Now, only after a long while did Pilgrim Pearl witness the one and only thing that came to Nastia’s mind which were some little words from Mrs. Child’s, “American Housewife” cup and cake recipe. 'Cup ‘n cake is about as good as pound cake, and is cheaper. One cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, and four eggs, well MIXED (thank goodness) together, and baked in pans or cups. Bake twenty minutes, and no more.’

Chestnut struck with the stupendous splendor of a notion, and knowing full well that Mrs. Child’s “American Housewife” Cup ‘n Cake actually took about forty minutes to bake, slyly counseled Pilgrim Pearl to invite herself to Bluejay Souffle Tuesday. He even suggested that she bring along her most coveted and savory Indian Corn Pudding! Pilgrim Pearl simperingly agreed, thinking about how all the lovely ladies would titivate themselves by telling titillating tales to other lemony, or dare I say limey, ladies.  Or they might even tell the tarty tale to a zesty gentleman or two!

Pilgrim Pearl’s Savory Indian Corn Pudding Recipe!

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels 

3/4 cup goat cheese
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Sage, Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 1 1/2-quart shallow casserole dish or a 9-inch by 2-inch baking dish.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onions and red pepper. Saute for 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and place in a medium-sized bowl, Add corn, Cheddar, milk, eggs, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Pour into the prepared casserole and bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.