What's Cooking in Region 1 - March 2005
by Marghretta McBean
February started off with Staten Island Chuck's observation that winter would soon be gone. Staten Island is the home of not only this genius groundhog (Staten Island Zoo), but the Jacques Marchais Centre of Tibetan Art, and last but not least, Greater New York Mensa's biennial RG. Join us New Yorkers as we party hearty 8-10 April. This is an unabashed plug, but hey, I am a member of the group. By the way, Chuck, New York City has gotten 22 inches of snow since your prognostication.....
Fashion Week swooped in after the groundhog, (parties, after-parties and oh, yes - clothes!) followed the next week by the Westminster Dog Show. As a former model I can definitively say that the canines have far more runway presence than most supermodels. While I was rooting for the otterhound, I will say the German shorthaired pointer who won was a real show stopper.
New Hampshire Mensa more than outdid itself with its Phant-M RG. Music all weekend - what talented members we have!!!! Clarinetists, singers, guitarists, conductors (Lisa Maxwell gave an excellent workshop) - you name it, they performed! Some of the hospitality highlights included shrimp, caviar(!!!), and would you believe - barbecue! Manchester, I learned, has over 70 different ethnic groups, affording a lot to culinary diversity.
The highlight, however, was the presentation to Joseph Zanca of an award granted by the Mensa Foundation. Joe was made an Honourary Trustee in recognition of all the work he has done raising funds for the many scholarships administered by the Foundation. Congratulations, Joe!
The month ended on high note - Northern New Jersey Mensa's Mid-Winter Blahs Party. Such much fun was had last year that NNJM decided to make this casual one day get together an annual event. Having never played Carnelli before, I can now say I could easily become an addict. Carnelli (which I didn't know) was invented by a Mensan.
Easter comes early this year. (Trivia: it's the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st). Although most of the Italians I grew up with were Sicilians, the Neapolitan kids always had this dessert on Easter Sunday.:
Pizza con Riso (Pizza with Rice)
- Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- Cook rice in milk until tender. Cool. Mix with eggs and lemon rind. Set aside.
- Put flour on a board. Make a well in the centre and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix together and knead well. Roll out and line bottom and sides of a 10" pie plate.
- Add filling and bake about 1 hour.
- Serve at room temperature or chill and serve cold.