How About This Economy?!

Is today's economic downturn greater than the 'Great Depression'? Are we going to see bread lines and over filled soup kitchens? For the first time in several decades Japanese citizens were in bread lines on new years eve!

The idea of bread lines, soup kitchens, and the great depression got my thinking about what the President of the United States was eating while the average citizen suffered. I was lucky enough to find the menu to a meal between Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover - I guess they were not experiencing the full the stresses of the times. Maybe they couldn't figure out how to save America on an empty stomach or did they need to take a nap after such a meal?

Consomme curried celery
Rolled toast and salted almonds
Brook trout w/tartar sauce
White potato curls
Cucumber aspic
Chicken Supreme w/Spanish rice
Sweet potato croquettes
Grassed beans clarified apples
Hearts of lettuce & assorted cheeses
Toasted crackers
Vanilla ice cream in molds
Pink crystal pears
Pound cake candies fruits
Coffee

What would you eat if you knew tomorrow the worlds economy would collapse, many would suffer insurmountable losses, businesses would fail, people would endure hardships they never previously encountered, and you were the President who had to turn things around?

Karate with Elvis!

The Hi-Tone Cafe in Memphis www.hitonememphis.com now fills the space where 'The King' took his Karate lessons from Master Kang Rhee. The air is now filled with a rock/blues mixture that is sure to impress any visitors ear and the LMJ was lucky enough to hear Alvin Youngblood Hart when we stopped in a few weeks ago www.alvinyoungbloodhart.net.

Now the LMJ can't say much about the food... we did converse with the locals who claim that the pizza there is pretty good, but any bar food would have went well with the music. We were pleasantly surprised that they carried Yuengling Lager so far south, so we do recommend several northern brews with the southern blues.

I guess if you were to have your last meal there, the LMJ would recommend that you call up a few of your friends, take a road trip, order a case of Yuengling, pizzas all night and sit back and revel in some of the South's best tunes.

More info on 'The King's' karate habit http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/elvis_presley_karate_black_belt.html

2009

The LMJ needs to get back on track in 2009. There are too many topics that need to be covered and too many people that still haven't given me their last meal!

I will start off 2009 with a story from earlier this afternoon. We enjoyed a fantastic meal with friends and they served delicious dishes ranging from homemade lasagna to roast pork sandwiches and from homemade stromboli to home made lemonchello. As we sat around the table to do what Italians do - talk about food while we eat - I raised the LMJ question to everyone and as usual it is sparked their interest and a vast conversation. The answers ranged from nachos to chocolate mouse and as usual I had to remind everyone that this was not a morbid question but one that should park memories of meals, family, and experiences of the past. I described my last meal to everyone and explained that my crabs and spaghetti experience came from my grandmother and grandfather sitting at my side when I was 6 years old feeding me crab meat while my face was covered in sauce. My grandfather died on new years day several years ago, but with out him and the rest of my family and friends I would not as passionate about food as I am today.

As we enter 2009 I encourage everyone to make sure that they have memorable meals and experiences as often as possible and to put some passion into their meals and their relationships with family and friends. Try making your perfect last meal and inviting others over to enjoy or gather with family and recall the magical meals of the past.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2009 and remember you can not have your own Last Meal Journey if you don't have your first true memorable culinary experience.