Reckless Abandon Cookery

There are 41 unusual recipes, and some that border on sexy, in our book, "Sisters by Heart". To be sure some are pretty mundane such as, fish chowder, Mary Lou's meat loaf and a potluck supper main dish but still there's an important intimacy about food. In much the same way that Feng Shui plays a vital role in the arrangement and selection of home furnishings, sensuality is central to menus and meal preparation.

When we first met, picnics were a big part of our lives. In winter we continued the picnics sitting on pillows on the living room floor around the coffee table.

Kay and I, like most New Englanders, are food-oriented people, discussing what to have for dinner while we're still eating breakfast.

Even today we're apt to make a ceremony of our meals, depending on the entree. One is never too old for dinner by candlelight; on the other hand, supper on TV tables in the living room can be just as grand.

Here are three of our favorite recipes for you to try...remember sexy is the key ingredient!!

ORIENTAL CHICKEN WINGS - This recipe, served by candlelight, brings out not only the Chinese flavor, but is the essence of the sensual aspects of a meal. After all, is there anything sexier than eating with your fingers and sucking the meat off the bone?

1 Cup lite Soy Sauce 1/4 Cup Sesame oil 1/4 Cup dark brown sugar
1/4 Cup vegetable oil 2 pounds chicken wings
2- one gallon food storage bags, doubled, and a twisty
Cut off wing tips and discard. Wash wings and pat dry. In a glass bowl, mix all sauce ingredients. Put wings in the doubled bags; pour in the sauce. Refrigerate all day. Turn bag twice to distribute sauce thoroughly. Put wings and 1/2 cup of sauce in a 13x9 pan. Cook one hour at 350.

FRYING PAN STEAK FOR TWO - This is steak at its sexiest - a new twist on the way mother used to fry it. Great with a salad and a baked potato topped with guacamole.

2 Delmonico steaks (about 3/4 inches thick) 1 Tblsp. McCormick's steak seasoning
2 Tblsp. brandy, whiskey or apple juice 1 Tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tblsp. butter 1 Tblsp. vegetable oil
Heat butter and oil in large (12-inch) non-stick skillet on medium heat. Rub one-half of the seasoning well into one side of the steaks; put them in the skillet seasoning side down; rub remainder of seasoning in top of steaks. Cook 5 minutes per side for medium. Remove to warmed plates. Add brandy and Worcestershire sauce to skillet; stir and simmer 30 seconds. Pour over the steaks and savor the eating!

SUNRISE CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST - Sunday mornings were a time to relax and be good to myself. When Kay became a partner in my life, she immediately embraced the champagne tradition. Serve this meal outside on a deck where you can toast the sunrise or in front of a warm fire on chilly mornings.
Champagne Cocktail - 3 healthy shakes of Angostura bitters and 3 ounces of a good champagne. I use a champagne saucer. I know the flutes contain the bubbles and freshness longer, but there's something more glamorous about the way one holds a saucer as opposed to a flute.
Scrambled Eggs Parmesan - Whisk together the following - 4 eggs, 1 Tblsp. skim milk per egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, grated fresh black pepper to taste. Scramble in pan sprayed with PAM.

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As our years advanced and our time together grew longer, I wondered if spilling soup down my front was an aging thing. Kay teased and said I should use a bib.

We were in a restaurant one evening and watched a woman at the next table remove an oilcloth packet from her purse and place it next to her fork.

When her meal was served, she shook out the piece of oilcloth and placed it around her neck. Kay gave me a kick under the table and mouthed the word, "Bib".