Jitterbug Perfume - the Saga

Today's soup is Green Lentil with Coconut Milk (vegan). Last time I made this soup it flew out of here. People were coming back to buy quarts. Which is to say, don't let the name fool you - this stuff is not your typical, homely lentil soup. We also have a bit of Corn Cheddar Chowder (not veg) and Gypsy Soup (vegan) still available.

The Veggie Meatball Rocket is also still on the menu and today we are adding The Bandaloop - sweet cured ham, saga blue and honey mustard grilled on french sandwich bread.

According the Wikipedia "The sagas (from Icelandic saga, plural sögur), are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, about early Viking voyages, about migration to Iceland, and of feuds between Icelandic families. They were written in the Old Norse language, mainly in Iceland." As anyone who has tasted our yogurt knows, Michael's maternal line is from Iceland and we have a soft spot for all things Icelandic.

This is not that saga.

This is a creamy brie-like cheese with a blue vein. The sharp tang of bleu is swaddled in the fatty full mouth feel of a soft rind cheese like brie or camembert. And the first time I tasted saga it blew my mind. I have a notoriously bad memory, but I remember every detail of that meal. I was sitting upstairs at Bandaloops on South Charles Street (which I am sorry to report is no longer in business) with my friend Clarrisa. The sandwich, which I believe they called the Kudra, was ham and brie served on a croissant with the most fabulous champagne mustard. Later, I tried to get the mustard recipe but the chef wouldn't share.

And Jitterbug Perfume, Bandaloops and Kudra? The first Tom Robbins book I ever read (and my favorite), the mystical "doctors" and the female main character. If you haven't read it, do. It is a great fun, hopeful, sexy romp of a book which makes great summer beach reading.