NOON
CLEOPATRA'S LAMB SALAD
The lamb itself would happily sacrifice his other three legs if he was promised that their final resting ground would be Cleopatra's favorite Lamb Salad. Dean Pollak is old enough to remember eating this salad with Cleopatra, when she lived in Africa. Ah, those were the days…toasted almonds, white raisins plumped in warm sherry, curled scallions, Persian rice, and fresh apricots if you can find them, or dried. This is the meal Cleopatra served Marc Anthony right before he ravaged her. You will have to wait until Academy Volume II is published to find out what Cleopatra served to Caesar.
TWELVE-MONTHS-A-YEAR PARSLEY SALAD
Poor little parsley. As you steer your grocery cart into the produce section, those little green leaves whisper, "Don't forget me, I am just as tasty as the butter lettuce and romaine on the next shelf. In fact, I have a little kick that will wake up your taste buds. But somehow my leaves receive short shrift and are dismissed. I am not just a garnish!"
The Deans decree the time has come for a parsley celebration.
CHEESE SOUFFLE
Soufflé making is a rite of passage at the Academy. We can see our students' confidence rising right along with the soufflés. Even if the rest of the day was a total disaster, the Deans get a frisson when our oven door opens to reveal a puffy golden cheese excitement. To make a soufflé for two (for those marital moments) halve all ingredients, use 3 egg yolks, 5 egg whites, and 1 cup shredded cheese.
DEANS' CLIFFNOTES FOR SOUFFLES
Eggs do more in the kitchen than anyone else. These little guys are literally the glue that holds everything together. Creating custards and soufflés may sound daunting but we can assure you these are learnable skills that you should have.
CHICKEN PIE
This is the ultimate comfort food. It's delicious and soothing, pastry and protein, Southern
and Northern - what more could you ask of a recipe?
FRIED ONION RINGS
Fried onion rings are delicious. We've never met anyone, including ourselves, who could eat just one. The Deans did not spring out of the ocean fully formed - we learned at the knees of some of the country's most esteemed and practiced doyennes and hostesses. It was Caroline Trask who put the fried onion ring trick up our sleeves.
COFFEE PUNCH
This recipe is served at the Tuckahoe Woman's Club Garden Party each year. The ladies say that this 'tried and true' tradition has been a favorite for years, so anticipated that six to eight recipes are made for their Annual Garden Parties.