Feeling needy...

You know that needy feeling? A friend called the other night and told me she had a "needy" urge building.

"What kind of needy?" I asked. "Food? Chocolate? Sex? Shoe shopping? The need to shoot someone?"

"Comfort food."

"Ohhhhhh."

I eat a lot of comfort food all the time. I'm big on Twinkies... you knew that... and I'm a huge fan of Mac & Cheese in the blue Kraft box, Cracker Jacks, chocolate of course, and cheesecake. When I'm feeling all empty inside and the giant squid isn't available to cuddle with... I might make a big bowl of mashed potatoes swimming in butter and cream and eat that. If I'm upset about a particular thing, I generally make a Tunnel of Fudge cake and eat that. Food is big in my life - you knew that, too, and frankly, it's a good thing I don't eat a lot of veggies. I rarely gain weight; if I ate veggies, I'd blow over in a breeze.

When the giant squid is worn out from the job, I make linguini with butter and grated cheese, garlic bread and put a bottle of wine on the table. When he's feeling down - which doesn't happen too often - I make a dish his mom used to make for him when he was a little boy. I know it's hard to believe... but the giant squid was once a little boy. I have pictures to prove it but it's possible they're doctored photos and he was born whole - tall - and a Neanderthal.

The dish is a combination of sliced tomatoes, green peppers, and some Italian spices all sautéed in olive oil. When that's soft and smelling like heaven, I crack a few eggs over the whole thing and the eggs get poached over the tomatoes, etc and the combination is so good he feels better in no time. Once that needy appetite is taken care of, I help him take care of his other needy appetites. No need to discuss details; I'm sure you understand.

And... he could eat peach cobbler every night.

Back to my friend who was needy and wanted comfort food from her childhood:

"You want tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich? Chocolate cake? Peanut butter and jelly pancakes? What?"

"I want kugel. Noodle kugel with lots of cheese."

"Ohhhhh."

This gal is the only child of a Japanese mother and a Chinese father. She grew up in a multi-ethnic neighborhood and ate a lot of multi-ethnic delicacies. Of course, she also ate a lot of Asian food. Her mother despairs that her favorite dish is noodle kugel. Kugel is pudding. Noodle kugel is a combination of broad flat noodles, LOTS of butter and cream cheese and sugar and topped with berries - sort of a Jewish style cheesecake. It is scrumptious hot from the oven or cold from the fridge and is one of those dishes no one in their right mind would take all the time it takes to make one and share it. This is a dish best eaten when no one but me and the pups are home.

"You're making noodle kugel for Angie?" my husband, the caveman asked as I boiled water for the noodles and softened 24 ounces of cream cheese in the microwave.

"Uh huh."

"Are you making peach cobbler for me?"

"No."

SWAT!

Tsk

"Why not?"

"She's feeling needy and I think giving her noodle kugel is better than hearing about her on the 6 o'clock news. She just got her permit to carry license."

"I've got a permit to carry, bambina, and I've also getting a "needy" feeling."

"You are?"

"Yep, and your butt is gonna feel how needy I am if I don't see homemade peach cobbler on the table tonight."

"Piss-ant!"

SWAT!

Tsk

"What are you gonna do if I make peach cobbler for you? Other than not spanking me, of course."

"I'm probably gonna upend you anyway for being sassy," he grinned and hugged me way too tight. "And stuff will probably happen after I eat the cobbler." Grin became very wicked, kisses happened, hands got fresh - tsk - and I momentarily forgot what I was doing.

Double tsk.

"And...?"

"And I'm taking you to Japan with me. We leave in a few days."

"Ohhhhhhh, peach cobbler coming right up!"

We're off to Japan for a few days so the giant squid can do his giant squid thing and I'll get a chance to smoke his credit card again. And yes, I made noodle kugel for my friend - we shared it - and peach cobbler for the squid and I'm packed and ready to go. Will catch up with you in a few days.

"Just cause we'll be overseas doesn't mean you won't get your tush toasted if necessary, bambina. Japan is the land of the rising sun and your tush blazing would be appropriate."

Next time I make peach cobbler... I might add a new ingredient... ipecac or saltpeter.

~Sar~