Just Cured - Experience Fine Foods

I discovered yesterday that there is something extra special about spending the Fourth of July with people who chose to come to this country. At the party we attended yesterday, the guests included natives of France, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Turkey and Japan. We missed the company of our Filipina friend and enjoyed talking with the gang’s Brit who phoned from Switzerland.

The guests from around the world got to this place for many different reasons. Some came here to build careers, others were transferred here at the discretion of their employers, a few attended school here and stayed, and a couple followed a family member. To a person, however, they left their homes, families and cultures to make the USA home, forever or for now. I spend a lot of time with some of these people, yet I still find their takes on things “American” to be refreshing and stimulating.

Those of us born here often take for granted our liberty and independence. For us, July 4 is a day off work and an excuse to make loud noises with fireworks. We assume the outcome of the Revolution and the efforts of so many to make this country a reality.

Our fellow guests, several of whom were experiencing their first Fourth of July holiday, assumed nothing. For the first time in years, I heard discussion on the Fourth of the principals of American independence — Adams, Franklin, Jefferson and Paine — and the principles they espoused. We had lively discussion on the manner in which holidays are celebrated in different countries and cultures, and which ways are better.

Our hosts provided a marvelous venue decorated to the nines, and their generosity with food and drink will become the stuff of legend. The tables overflowed with pan fried chicken, burgers and hot dogs, boiled shrimp, baked beans, potato salad, cucumber salad, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, guacamole, strawberry shortcake (with chantilly cream whipped by the French chocolatier in attendance) and several dishes that I have overlooked — each carefully prepared by our host.

Special kudos to Ota-san for sharing bottles of Clos des Mouches 1985 and Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1983 from his cellar. Not your typical July Fourth wines to be sure, but surprisingly good pairings with the fried chicken — particularly the Burgundy.

I will remember this Independence Day celebration for a long time, for its fellowship, conversation, food, drink: all of it.