We will again be in Jerusalem with our "mehutanim", for the "seder", and we are all looking forward to that. But, you and I know what Pesach means, and what it involves even if you do not make the 'seder'; AND this year, there is just too much to think about and work out! We should have gone away for the few days...let somebody else worry!...actually, we probably will do just that...go early to Jerusalem...but for the time being there are no rooms to be had! ..."Not to worry", said the L&M, "we are working on that", ...in this land of miracles, I am sure he will work it out...although to my knowledge, nothing really works here...no; not quite true either; we both needed blood tests this week and went over to the laboratory at 7:30 in the morning...we were out of there by 7:40! Unbelievable! We both were convinced that our watches stopped!...at the same time?...But, that is another miracle in this land of miracles; some things when they work, they work perfectly! But most of the others...which never work...never will! It's because of the the weather...the army call-up...sick...on vacation!... It's the Middle East in a nutshell...

SO: I must admit to you that I have started on my Pesach cleaning; I just got rid of all my in-coming and out-going e-mails! You-ALL are history!...IF, you want to stay in touch, you-all, will have to start writing again...I promise to answer. SO: I hope yo-all had a great Purim, and I am sure, things will work out for this Pesach...said she, looking up into the heavens... I made a new chicken last week, and the L&M said that it was the best one in a very long time! Of course when I served the rest of it again a few days later, he looked wounded; asked if its the same chicken we had the other day?...I have been suffering this cruelty from him for over 50 years...perfect basis for divorce!...but after 50?...missed my boat, that's what!...Anyway: a stiff one, took care of the frustration, the chicken was served, the L&M played around the plate with it and next time I will freeze it, as I usually do!

OK: its really an easy recipe and here goes; I had 6 large thighs, skinned, but you can use a chicken cut-up into eight...veggie oil into a pan and in went the thighs; they have to sizzle-sizzle on both sides, so you have time to mix a drink, or pour some wine, and get the other ingredients ready: I used my processor, for a large red onion, 4 cloves of garlic and the zest of a large lemon...IF you can not get it chopped quite finely, add a bit of white wine...right; when the chicken has browned on both sides, take her out, and add the onion mix to the pan; mix-mix for a few minutes then flood it with white wine...ya, ya! Let it evaporate! Gets me every time...another few minutes and add the juice of that large naked lemon...zested?...plus 2 tablespoons of soya sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, yes, sugar!...salt and pepper...the sauce should be smooth, and velvety...add the chicken, let it sizzle, covered, for half an hour, flip it over, and give it another half an hour, NOW: add chestnuts which, here, come in a sealed-plastic-bag-cooked and peeled-ready-for-use...I cut them up into four, they were rather large...cover and simmer the lot for another 10 or so minutes.

I made a very simple dessert with that; I found it years ago in a Penguin little cook book, and decided it was time to get it off my fridge: you boil a pot of water...in another little pot you warm-up jam (I had orange-ginger, sugar-free jam, but you can use any...apricot? ) give it a good splash of cognac...mix and keep it warm; when the water comes to a rolling boil drop in bananas...yes; in their skins!...let them boil for 4 minutes...yes! ON the clock!...fish them out, and place on a plate; it looks absolutely dreadful! Actually, quite revolting...a black banana...BUT: when you pull a strip of the skin off the banana, and pour some of the jam onto it...and, put a spoonful of that into your mouth...heaven!...I suppose one could put a large green leaf under the banana...something has to be added to make it look a bit more appealing!...But, it's a great dessert, and so easy to make...you can have the pot boiling and the sauce ready...by the way, the L&M thought it was superb! A perfect ending to a perfect meal, said he...

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Debbie Morgenstern is the author of "My Life in Israel" and other short stories.
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