A Curious Child 2

A Curious Child 2

Mom was in the strange old dusty cluttered shop that Spyros Manos had stopped at for a coffee break on his "out of the way tour" he had taken them on this morning. Spyros had leisurely walked them all over the town that morning. Gramps did remember some of the tour but many places were either new to him or he had never bothered to go in that direction and he was having the time of his life.

Mom was having a time checking out the bracelets and picking out abut a dozen for the ladies in her garden club. Looking at her son eyeing the big jar of colorful Jordan Almonds on the top shelf. The shop owner got a sturdy stool and lifted the container down off the shelf. He opened the jar and gave a blue candy to her son. When it comes to candy, most people fit into two categories either you savor your candy, or you devour it immediately. Their son, Tomaso was a savoriest. He rolled the almond candy around in his mouth until the blue coating had reached the white coating over the almond. The shopkeeper delighted in the smile that appeared on Tomaso's face as he bit into the almond. Tomaso then signaled to the shopkeeper he would purchase a pound of mixed colors. Tomaso also asked for a small colorful pink flowered cloth bag with a blue string tie. After paying the shopkeeper he put the candies into the cloth bag. Now this was a curious thing for a ten year old boy to do so Mom asked why he bought the bag and candies. "I bought these because they are my Grandma's favorite. Every time I placed one in my mouth it made me think of Grandma. They were perfectly made...just the right amount of everything." answered Tomaso.

Out at the table where Pops and Grandma were enjoying a cup of coffee Tomaso presented his gift. Grandma was thrilled at the gift presented to her and said she would save some to make Jordan Almond Crusted Chicken again. Pops said he was jealous because he had not had Jordan Almond Crusted Chicken since he left home for the Navy when he was eighteen. "No need to be jealous we'll make enough for all when we return home." laughed Grandma.

"Speaking of food, it's eleven thirty and we had better stroll back to the restaurant. My Grandfather will be there with his fresh spinach waiting for Tomaso's private lesson in making Spanakopita." said Spyros.

Grandfather was there in the kitchen where he had finished his phyllo dough about a half hour ago. He welcomed Tomaso into the kitchen and shooed everyone else out except for cook and waiter. Grandfather introduced himself to Tomaso as Spiro Tomaso Manos.

"You may address me as Chef Manos and I will address you as Chef Balli. Now I will have the cook send out a plate of raw vegetables to your parents and grandparents and my grandson Spyros so they will stay out of our kitchen.

I heard that you bought some Almonds for your Grandma to take home to make a chicken dish. I would hope that you would send me that recipe when you get home. I am a very modern Grandfather and have learned the modern ways of using the internet. My e-mail address is : ChefManos1@gmail.com. See it is very easy. You will write your address down for me on this card if you have the permission from your parents then we can write to each other."

Chef Manos began by showing Tomaso how to make his own phyllo dough. While Tomaso's dough was resting for forty five minutes. Chef Manos brought out his dough and showed Tomaso how to roll and turn and roll the dough to get the thinness desired so the dish would come out flaky.

" Continue rolling making the dough thinner and thinner each time. Move your hands from the center to the sides to keep even pressure and help in spreading and thinning the dough. The thickness of the phyllo dough depends on what you will be using it for. If you are making a spinach pie, then the dough is rolled out a little bit thicker than if you are making a feta cheese pie. Today we will make a spinach pie. “

They got together the ingredients for the filling: red onions, garlic, rough chopped spinach, feta cheese, fresh eggs, butter and nutmeg along with salt and pepper to taste. Chef Manos continued to show young Chef Balli how to add the layers of phyllo and filling until only the phyllo remained then a final of brushed butter on top. It went into the oven for an hour. The senior chef and younger chef then made another Spanakopita using the phyllo dough Tomaso had made. It was much easier for Tomaso this time and it went into the oven.

The two went out into the backyard where Chef Manos had a smoke and coffee. Tomaso had a coffee with milk and sugar in a tall glass. Chef Manos offered Tomaso a puff which he tried then said: " I may or may not smoke when I grow up but it is out of the question for another eight years."

Chef Manos laughed then said they better go look at the first Spanakopita. It was done and announced that in fifteen minutes lunch would be served. Everyone ate heartily.

After lunch Spyros discretely asked Tomaso if he and Grandfather had gone outside for coffee and a smoke. Tomaso said yes and told his Grandfather he may or may not smoke when he grow up but it was out of the question for another eight years. Spyros said he waited until he was twenty and on his own.

©Julia A Knaake