Clown Gospel Brunch

In the wake of the tragic event at Virginia Tech, I’m feeling a little less than enthusiastic about food right now. There’s no knowing how all the ramifications of the tragedy will pan out, and until then, I’ll move on with my humble food blog. However, when you attach a memorable feast to a humanitarian cause, as the Glass Contraption theatre company did, good times are definitely a little easier to swallow.

Last weekend I had the opportunity help raise money for the troupe’s sojourn to South Africa to help children affected by HIV through the Topsy Foundation. The Glass Contraption is one serious group of clowns. For consecutive summers they’ve used their professional clowning skills to help brighten the lives of orphans, collaborating with the children of Topsy on performances. My role? I made brunch. Hosted and co-chefed by my friend Bob, we served thirty-some people for a gospel-themed brunch in the midst of a stormy April Sunday.

On the menu were:

Ham, cheese & egg crepes with beschamel sauce

Fruit crepes with any combination of strawberries, blueberries, apples & bananas (vegetarian and vegan varieties)

Fresh salmon cakes

A spinach & fontina cheese frittata

Lemon polenta cakes with strawberries & fresh mint topping (vegan)

Herb-tastic potato hash

Plenty of McClure’s Pickles — and the spicy brine made one fine Bloody Mary mix

Sangria, a green salad, homemade bread, and other stuff I was too busy consuming or cooking to take pictures of until they were gone (like this well-spent bucket of Sangria)

Phew. Along with all the eating and drinking, we watched short doc on the group’s past contributions clowning around with children in need, Topsy.

And along with that, we had rain — lots and lots of rain. On my way back from Williamsburg, the G train refused to come for 45 minutes, leaving myself and a whole gamut of drippy commuters stranded in the station, in a quandary over whether to find some alternative mode of transportation. I bounced for the bus. Or rather, sloshed knee-high through murky street water running toward a bus that was pulling away. (The driver, bless his soul, stopped for me.) I didn’t leave my apartment for the rest of the day. All told, it was well worth the trip.

Since so many people at the brunch asked me how the salmon cakes were made, I’ve posted the simple recipe for that treat here. What’s better than friends, fun and a little fried fish cake at home? Funny, I think I’ve regained my appetite already.