September 15, 2104

It's All Mom's Fault

I have a confession to make:  I like liver.  And I also like onions.  And what's more, I like them together, sauteed in a rich butter sauce.  Yes, that is pure comfort food for me.

The blame lies with my mother who knew exactly how to caramelize the sweet slices of onion and then cook the tender pieces of beef liver on top.  (She also made a wicked dish of creamed onions, but that's another story altogether.)

Not for the faint of heart, liver and onions is a dish that I do not indulge in on a regular basis, but there are times when the craving creeps in for a taste from the past.  And since I have a theory that food cravings reflect certain deficiencies in one's diet, of course I have no real good excuse to ignore them.

And so I recently went on the hunt for some good old fashioned beef liver.  The problem is, a thorough scan of the local grocery store's meat arsenal revealed nary a liver to be found.  Oh, there were chicken livers in the freezer, but they're not quite the same as beef liver and onions.  

Nevertheless I nabbed a carton of the chicken parts from the cooler and headed to the checkout stand with my liver discreetly tucked under my arm and a bag of fresh onions clutched in my hand.  You have to understand, paying for the purchase of liver has its pitfalls.  I've actually taken to devising an explanation for said grocery selection if a clerk makes a squeamish comment or two:  "It's for my cats.  They've been extra specially good lately and they deserve a treat....."

Still dismayed at the thought that my grocery store no longer stocks the age-old white plastic tub of baby beef livers on their shelves that have been available for as long as I can remember, I turned to plan B.  No fear, I thought to myself, just make a stop at the local meat market and inquire there.  So, sheepishly I did just that and, of course, Brian had just what I was seeking.  He presented me with a nice, neatly wrapped hunk of liver. He didn't even blink an eye at my request. But I guess he approves of liver consumption because he's in the meat business.

I left the store a satisfied customer.  I'm so easily amused sometimes that I scare myself. 

Boy were furry ones surprised when I showed up at home with the delectable raw liver and it wasn't for their enjoyment. Yes, the only disappointment felt at my house was from my cats, whose hopeful hearts sank when they realized that the liver treat I toted home was intended for their owner.

Well.....we'll see about that.  I guess it wouldn't hurt to share a morsel of two with them. After all, I can't really stand to see the disappointment in their eyes as they watch me savor each bite of sheer, comfortable joy.  

And they have actually been very good lately.