I’ve been fueling my wanderlust by culinary measures — making delicious Thai spicy shrimp salads bursting with sweet pomelo – my Bangkok Journey introduced me to the Pomelo fruit – I was so obsessed, I wanted to plant a tree in my garden. Snacking on French Truffle Frites, trying out recipes in my dusty cookbooks and digging out recipes from my travel cooking classes, now that I have more time to do so.
Some of this cooking frenzy has been inspired by bountiful gift deliveries from one of my dearest friends from Catholic grade school and high school – known casually to us, as Jenksie, (there were 5 Kathy’s in our class, so she is known by a version of her last name), she has proven to be an assiduous online shopper of epicurean extravagances! Her generosity knows no bounds nor her enthusiasm and curiosity for seeking out only the best of the best! The NY Times mentioned one of her exclusive purveyors in an article about the pandemic rage for online gourmet goodies.
In the initial days of pandemic lockdown, sunset was heralded with my daily Rye Manhattan; the first gift box to arrive was a Whistle Pig 12-year-old aged Rye…a definite improvement from my daily Bulleit tipple. In early SIP, life felt fairly normal, I’m accustomed to working from home in my jammies. I even admitted it in a Fortune Magazine interview on ‘how an elite Luxury Travel Concierge survives the pandemic. ‘
Jenksie and I chat by phone every few days, comparing weather, what tennis event we may miss – she, the spring desert tournament; I reminded her that some Catholic high school girls followed Charlie Pasarell when as a college student, he played in the Ojai Tennis Tournament. Charlie is the founder of the Indian Wells Tournament that she attends every year.
In a conversation about my Lindblad National Geographic epic sailing adventure to the Marquesas, I shared that one of the ship waiters indulged me every night with a seemingly private ration of Chablis and off-menu Coconut Ice Cream – days later two boxes of scrumptious chocolate coconut candy arrived – and yes, my exercise program has remained in place, although with the generous Jenksie gifts, I should intensify my routine.
We grew up in the small village of Ojai, which hosts the oldest tennis tournament in the U.S. it too was cancelled; in grade school, we could skip class if we served fresh squeezed orange juice or afternoon high tea to the guests, a day sans strict Catholic nuns, you can accurately assume we all raised our hands to help. In spring, the Ojai Valley is perfumed by citrus blossoms yielding orchards of sweet Pixie Tangerines. The ranches have been in the valley for eons, three eleven-pound cartons of Pixies arrived at my gate – in several intervals. Jenksie Joy, Pixies by the carton!
What to do? Pixie Margaritas, of course! Or an Ojai Silver Sunrise. Jenksie texted me multiple recipes for healthy Vitamin C enriched frothy concoctions! A few Ojai avocado’s and local Oro Blanco grapefruit, similar to a Pomelo, dotted the boxes. See previously mentioned Thai Pomelo salad. Cinco de Mayo fell during pandemic, the avocado’s and Pixie Margaritas were perfectly timed. I assume Jenksie planned that detail with her delivery schedule. Multiple texts were exchanged when UPS lost a shipment of Pixies, Covid-19 mask in place, I broke the 5-mile drive radius to visit the UPS facility and demand my Pixies! I’m convinced the Agriculture Inspector desired an 11-pound box of sweet fragrant Pixies, as it was never delivered. My social media recipes for Pixie Margaritas became the rage among our friends.
Pixie Margarita Recipe https://www.thespruceeats.com/tangerine-margarita-recipe-760873
Pomelo Salad Recipe https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pomelo-salad-with-chile-lime-peanuts-and-coconut
Day 49 of SIP. A travel industry friend and I have shared monthly platefuls of Truffle Fries at a local restaurant – our March truffle lunch scratched 2 days into lock down – we optimistically penciled in May 1 for a raincheck. Who knew? It was the only activity on my calendar and I wept on social media that I was missing my long-awaited truffle lunch! Jenksie asked if I was lunching on chocolate truffles? No, Truffle Fries!
Are you reading ahead? Days later, elaborate gift boxes arrived at my gate bearing imported truffle salt, white and black truffle oil and truffle catsup, with recipes! A rare market run for russet potatoes; it was an exceptionally warm afternoon for cooking, but I persevered and baked several batches of truffle fries – they were divine!
I’m eternally grateful for my travel cooking classes and dear Jenksie for the multiple gourmet goodie provisions, reminding me of the importance of relationships. Who know fifth grade friendships would guide us through a pandemic? Two little Catholic girls who rode Jenksies horses on weekends through Ojai citrus orchards and the sisterhood flourishes!
Day 60 of SIP. A reminder of how fortunate I am to have such close friends – a very wise woman once said: You can’t chose your family, but you can choose your friends…and just like that a frozen box of McConnell’s Santa Barbara ice cream is at my gate! No recipe required!
McConnell’s Santa Barbara ice cream 
McConnell’s Santa Barbara ice cream
I’m not the only recipient of Jenksie Joy. Her gesture of love and friendship is being replicated among her family and friends. If only we could meet to break bread, my treat!
Friday Frolics – a text arrives advising me to unlock my gate, a delivery is imminent! What?! Apparently, an order from a local specialty pie firm, Niles Pies, the Peninsula delivery is now scheduled for Friday afternoon. Hours later a bulging bag of boxed pies arrives. Not a typical pie company, Niles Pies, is a small cooperative in Fremont with a diverse menu, Pie to the People is a caption on the site! My pie bounty included: potato cheddar pasties, a double chocolate espresso pie, a tomato ricotta galette, and savory breakfast treats: blackberry blossom and Mango galette, and a soon to be enjoyed Moroccan Vegetable Pie. My nine mile Friday bike ride deserved the yummy tomato ricotta galette with a frothy Pixie Margarita. https://www.nilespie.com/
Pandemic shelter has been infinitely more interesting, delicious and manageable due to Jenksie’s generosity! One truly enchanting prezzie from attending Catholic girls school, I’m grateful for my school days ‘sister family’ who have been an important part of my support system, my ‘posse’ spanning over 50 years. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Jenksie!
Toasting to good health, Sisterhood and Jenksie!
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