(no subject)

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Hannibal Lecter is outside today, having set up a grill and leisurely grilling some trout. There is wine and salads as well, and some halloumi should a vegetarian drop by.

Anybody happening by will be welcome to share a bite and a chat.-

Comments

[the_cupbearer]

Ganymede--without pets today--is wandering by, barefoot and with one of the flutes he's carved, playing the chords and a part of the song on the flute, and humming the other part along as he goes. It's not quite as good as it would be with an orchestra, but you do what you can.

He stops and smiles at Hannibal around the mouthpiece of the wooden instrument.

[cook_the_rude]

"Hello, Ganymedes," Hannibal says when he sees him approach. "Would you like some trout?"

[the_cupbearer]

"I'm afraid I'm not much for fish, at least not today," he says, taking the flute down from his lips.

"Did you catch that here?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I did," Hannibal says. "At home, Will Graham brought me the most delicious trout the other week, but I am able to catch my own if needed. Wine, then?"

[the_cupbearer]

"Wine, I'll take," he says, tucking the wooden carved rod into his back pocket.

[cook_the_rude]

"How about something pink?" Hannibal suggests. "I have a decent organic rosato from Tuscany."

[the_cupbearer]

"My favorite color," he teases--it isn't and Hannibal knows that. "I'd like that. I might take you up on the fish later, after the wine."

[cook_the_rude]

"Use the wine to seduce you gently towards trout-shaped indulgence?" Hannibal says, as he smilingly pours a glass of the rosato for Ganymede, and hands it over.

"I have some salads that might serve as an intermediary state."

[the_cupbearer]

Ganymede just chuckles. "You don't need the wine if you're planning on seducing me," he laughs. "But yes, perhaps you'd be able to feed me later. You seen to have the undeniable urge to do so."

[cook_the_rude]

"I must plead guilty on that one," Hannibal says. "Hospitality is a deeply ingrained need in my psychological make-up. Feeding my friends gives me great satisfaction."

[the_cupbearer]

Ganymede merely drinks his wine and smiles at Hannibal. "Feel free," he chuckles. "I'll take you up on a salad."

[cook_the_rude]

Hannibal picks up a plate, and starts putting on some vegetables from his platters -- greens and bright red strips of bell peppers, pale asparagus and smooth wedges of avocado, and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.

"Salt and pepper, vinegar and olive oil with it?" he asks. "Or a light herb and yoghurt sauce?"

[wannab_hokage]

Naruto had been outside enjoying the say when the smell of yummy things caught his attention.

He stood near the grill, his eyes as big as saucers watching the fish.

[cook_the_rude]

The fish isn't moving, but the fire is.

So is the man preparing the food.

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier comes over from the garden with a smile, following the sweet smell of food. "Good evening, sir. That smells very good."

[cook_the_rude]

"Hello, Olivier," Dr. Lecter says. "Would you like some?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"May I?" He asks politely, finding a tap to wash his hands under. "May I ask what you have used to season it? I fear I know much about the medicinal uses of herbs but little of the culinary uses."

"I have a gift for you." He lifts three small pot-plants from his basket. Each of the pot is painted with the classic blue on white patterns of the middle east.

[cook_the_rude]

"Just salt and pepper," Dr. Lecter answers. "I let the fish speak for itself."

He readies a plate.

[equal_of_any_man]

"I see. I look forward to trying it." He carefully sets the little pot plants aside, making sure they're out of the way for later.

[cook_the_rude]

Dr. Lecter puts some greens, asparagus, avocado and a slice of pear on the plate, then adds the grilled fish, drizzles a green herb sauce over it all, and hands the plate to Olivier.

"What kind of wine would you like with this?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"Thank you, sir." He finds a spot to sit and tries the fish, signing happily at the fresh sweetness of the asparagus. "Most wonderful! You are a master of your art."

He peers at the bottles, recognising none of them. "I defer to your wisdom in that front, sir. I know only the wines of my time and those traded though the city of my birth."

[cook_the_rude]

"A light, crisp white, I think," Dr. Lecter says. "I'll give you a pinot grigio from California, in he New World, a place that wasn't known to Europe and Asia in your day."

He pours a glass for Olivier, and hands it over.

[equal_of_any_man]

"Thank you, sir." He takes a sip. "Very nice. It tastes... " He trails off. "Very light." He chuckles, "I fear I don't have the language for wines but I like this."

[cook_the_rude]

"That is the most important part," Dr. Lecter says. "Enjoyment. May I look at the herbs you brought along?"

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier swallows his mouthful hurriedly and nods. "Please do, sir. They are for you."

"The first is called Kekik, sometimes called Thymus. Mixed with sesame seeds, salt and dried sumac it makes a flavouring called za'atar. It can be used to season meat or made into a dip with olive oil."

"The second is sumac, the berries are dried for za'atar or used to flavour rice and salads. They are sweet and sour at once and taste of lemons. I like them fresh and steeped with water to make a drink."

"Urfa biber is a chilli that is mild. Dried or fresh it adds much flavour without burning the tongue."