Monday, May 14, 2012

Magpie #117, "The Taste of Tahiti"

"The Meal", 1891, by Paul Gauguin
The Taste of Tahiti

Decadence beckons
with dark molasses
and delicate orchid,
crystalline sprinkled sweetly,
buttered, drizzled
upon tropical plantain.

Surreptitious glances,
and fleeting fingertips
risk cook's ire,

dip, lick, surrender
as exotic sunshine
and luxuriant Tahitian shade
dances upon satiated tongues.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 14, 2012

* * * * *

This poem is linked to "The Mag #117" a weekly poetry/short vignette challenge.  The photo prompt is selected each week by Tess Kincaid.

This is also linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Open Link Monday".

And Below is the recipe I wrote about above!:

Bananas Flambees with Tahitian Vanilla

4 small ripe bananas
4 Tbspn sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbsp dark rum
butter

Peel bananas and cut them in half lengthwise.  In a small bowl, mix rum and vanilla extract.  Melt two tablespoons butter in a saucepan over a med-high fire and fry bananas on both sides until golden brown.

Sprinkle with sugar and pour the rum/vanilla extract mixture over bananas.

Remove from fire immediately serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

* * * * *

I can see why Paul Gauguin was mesmerized.  The videos are slow moving, but I think that is the island experience... no?  A stunning sunrise, breakfast brought over by kayak, a flower bedecked bed, waves gently lapping the beach...  I am not sure I would do so well on this island... I kept pushing the video forward with my cursor. :)  Even if you don't watch them, just notice the colors!!  Now we know where Gauguin got his colors!



and Part 2:



Part 3:



Did you enjoy your vacation?

18 comments:

Introverted Art said...

Where to start? The painting is beautiful. The poem is inspiring and the videos transported me to this piece of paradise. Thank you so much for sharing.

Introverted Art said...

BTW, I also do not like cleaning or doing the laundry. I love to cook though ;-)

Brian Miller said...

mmm...i def want that dance on my tongue...haha...used to have plantains all the time when we were in FL...actually grew our own bananas in the back yard...and oranges and limes...i miss it...and the beach...thanks for transporting me in this margaret...

kaykuala said...

Great multi-media presentation.The verse is beautiful, Marge! And the videos give the best of exotic culture of the South Seas.Thanks for sharing.

Hank

Abin Chakraborty said...

alluringly deliciously done

izzy said...

Tropical island and tropical flavors, colors- do wonders for a human! thanks

Mystic_Mom said...

Four things!

1) You wrote beautifully! Very nicely crafted.

2) that recipe sounds totally yummy!

3) The videos were so cool.

4) I agree, that is where he got his colors.

Amazing you gave us poetry, food, a video holiday and an art inspiration. Brava!

Herotomost said...

Reading this before breakfast and damn....it made me hungry. Gotta try that recipe. Cool package here, makes me ready for vacay!

Kerry O'Connor said...

Your response to this picture really focused on the hunger of those figures. Thank you for sharing this recipe - it sounds like a confection to die for.

Teresa said...

Wonderful poem, and I'm so glad you shared that recipe. :-)

Helen said...

If your purpose was to delight and make me hungry ~ you succeeded on both counts!

Tess Kincaid said...

Delicious!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love the decadent, exotic "taste" experience of image, poem and videos! A wonderful wrap of sensations!

Unknown said...

Wow, Margaret! This is as sensual as a poem can be. Nicely pulled together.

Ella said...

Margaret,
I am intrigued how many senses were tickled. I feel like I went on a tropical trip...beautiful!
Your words caress my taste buds...amazing!!!

Jinksy said...

Sweet, and no mistake! LOL

Margaret said...

Thank you. I hope to be posting a photo of this desert to my blog next week. I have the ingredients on my shopping list. (and WHAT to do with the left over rum... :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

You drew me in with the dark molasses. What a great idea....composing a recipe to go with the painting. A tasty read!