Moderate Epicureanism

There is a level of devotion to the ‘finer things in life’ that mixes with a moderate sense of style and enjoyment. I am not referring to that slavish devotion to Epicureanism that would find one bowing a knee to strict addictions and sensual puppetry, but rather I am speaking of a modest and temperate appreciation of fine foods, satisfying beverages, and the extracurricular delving into simple pleasures.

One can participate in a connoisseur travel by either sampling the fine fruits of creative or traditional labors or one can become a duplicator and originator of the samplings themselves. I have enjoyed being both and recently have taken steps to increase my knowledge and practice.

I decided to up my culinary acumen through focusing on one aspect of cooking and as a result of the season, have endeavored to fine tune my grilling skills. Steven Raichlen’s book, “How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbeque Techniques” has been a masterful guide to learning this delicious art. The book is well-written in easy to understand text and has enough preparation and technique pictures to make one feel as though they were working hand in hand with Raichlen as he shows you how to grill everything from whole cabbages and garlic kabobs to a mustard encrusted salmon. One of my personal favorites is a raft of fresh asparagus spears grilled with in a simple soy, garlic, and toasted sesame oil sauce – simply divine.

After working in the custom beverage industry now for more than fifteen years, my appreciation for unique and well-made beverages has been solidified into a palate love fest - delectable mangos and cream smoothies, the raspberry hinted Purple Haze microbrew from Abita, vanilla noted Maker’s Mark raised in Kentucky’s bourbon heritage, Jones’ refreshingly crisp watermelon soda, or a freshly made chai incorporating Darjeeling bases with clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Nothing quite satisfies like a smooth Merlot that invites delicate berries and rounded woody notes to find a home as you slowly sip its subtle perfection. Merely living on the mundane and average drink intake dims the mosaic palette as well, turning it into a grey scaled test pattern.

Lastly, as I reflect on the Divinely given cornucopia I turn my reflections to the now vilified nicotiana tabacum. It has been said that America was built on tobacco given the colonial economy’s reliance upon that trade and it is a shame that smoking has become a political whipping post. Now let me take a moment to clarify.

When I’m speaking about the enjoyment of smoking I am not speaking about the dreg habit of cigarette smoking whereby an individual inhales pack after pack daily. Equating that practice to the pleasure of sharing a Cavendish bowl with a friend over deep and intent theological conversations or a smooth Macanudo’s draw while swaying peacefully on a cypress swing on a cool evening in May as you contemplate the blessings you’ve been given is simply an equivocation fallacy no serious aficionado should have to endure. The litany of men who throughout history have partaken in this noble pass time includes Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, U.S. President John Adams, Mark Twain, George Burns, Theodor “Dr.Seuss” Geisel, General Douglas MacArthur, and Sir Winston Churchill.

This weekend I shall grill and share a glass of Pinot Grigio before enjoying some down time with a bowl of McClelland Red Cake. Simple, multifarious pleasures crafted and handled with modest and temperate appreciation - blessings indeed.