Covid-19 has me really, really freaking out from cabin fever.

I just want to see my friends.

I want to hug them.

Better yet, I want to cook for them. I know it sounds weird, but I really, really need to cook for people.

I thought I was some kind of psychotic but then my friend, Henry Best, gave me an epiphany.  I was texting him on Facebook and told him about how I was going crazy and I told him that I NEEDED to cook.

We were discussing the last time we had actually been around a group of people:

“Henry:  Last time i hugged someone not my wife, cat, or apprentice? February

Me: I need to cook.

Henry: Right. You need to cook FOR PEOPLE.

I’ve watched you for years. You get off on feeding people good food. and now you lost your audience.

In its way, cooking is a performing art

Me: True dat.”

WHOA! That made me stop and think.

HE WAS RIGHT!!!

There is absolutely no thrill like walking a huge roast out of the kitchen and realizing that every eye in the place is on you. And everyone is smiling.

How else can a nerd who can’t act make people smile?

Feeding them – THAT’S how!

I have a degree in stage management, I never intended on being on stage. I mean, the only time the stage manager shows up on stage is when the show is cancelled, or the star is sick.

Truly, I feel like I have a purpose when I give the signal and the servers enter the room. I love sitting in the back of the room and watch people laugh and smile as they eat.

Let me give you an example:

I cooked for a feast whose theme was nursery rhymes. Each course was served by a herald coming out and reading the appropriate nursery rhyme and then serving the food. Time and again, the food went out and the crowd grew more boisterous.

Finally, it was time for dessert.

I sent out the plum pie and listened, but nothing happened…

Finally, “LLEW, get your ass out here!” came from the hall.

The Queen wanted to see me…

I cringed as I walked into the hall and to the front of the hall. When I arrived, the Queen stood.

“Lords and Ladies,

Little Jack Horner

Sat in a corner

Eating his Christmas pie.

He stuck in his thumb

And pulled out a plum

And said, “What a good boy am I?”

Everyone chimed in.

“My Lords and Ladies, I believe the herald has an announcement.”

The herald stood.

“Their Majesties are proud to induct Lord Llewellyn ap Teirnon into Their Most Noble Order of the Fleur for achievements in cookery!”

I got an ovation!

And, boy, did I get drunk!

NOW LET’S DO IT RIGHT!!!!

Christmas Plum Pies

Ingredients

Puff Pastry (Pre-made)

4-6 Large plums

5 tbsps white sugar

Cinnamon

4 tbsps unsalted butter

Secret Ingredient: 1/4 cup rose syrup

1. Start by rolling out your premade pastry into sheets then cut into six inch squares. Place them on bakers paper on a large cookie sheet.
2. Preheat over to 400 F.
3. Pit the plums and cut them into slices.
4. In a bowl, mix freshly grated cinnamon to taste with about 3/4 of the sugar. Mix in the rose syrup.
5. Melt the butter and brush the pastry with it.
6. Dredge the plums in the melted butter and then dredge through the spice mixture.
7. Place the plums on the pastry and drip the remaining butter over the top.
8. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture over the top of the pastries.
9. Bake for 20 minutes or until done.
10. Makes 10-12 pastries.
11. ENJOY!!!

copyright 2020 M.J. Hobbs