As his more sensitive readers are no doubt well aware, Henri had become rather depressed last fall. He had grown indiscreet in his drinking—actually finding himself enjoying a way-too-young Merlot (Merlot!) one morning—and, several late evenings, imagining terrible things happening to the well-meaning Dr. Epinards.

But Henri is better now, thanks not only to a recent trip abroad but to the countless letters of support and encouragement he was greeted with upon his return. “We need you,” wrote one reader, who signed himself, simply, “Maurice.” Henri is touched, indeed. Merci beaucoups, Maurice. Henri needs you, too.

And this week Henri is feeling even better about himself, as he has, for the first time in decades, kept a New Year’s resolution. And not just any resolution: Henri has joined a health club. Shocking? Naturellement. But after three years of Dr. Epinards’ exhortations that I lose “a good forty pounds,” I’m beginning to think that they might actually be of some merit—although I must continually remind the good doctor that Henri is in fact simply and naturally large framed.

And the trip abroad? Pure therapy. From Munich to Paris and down through Madrid to Barcelona, all cities in which Henri has spent considerable time—wandering ancient backstreets and pondering their mysterious medieval histories.The last night in Barcelona, I had dinner—just before midnight, as is the custom there--in a small restaurant on a narrow cobblestone sidestreet just a few blocks from the harbor. Outside, it was cold and dark and wet, but I was warmed soon after I stepped inside—by the heat from the fire and the smell of the paella cooking over it, by the warm fresh bread delivered to my table, and by a tall glass of Rioja. My dinner was divine. Simple, delicious, inexpensive, the highlight a fabulous Catalan soup the recipe for which the chef was delighted to share with me.

I arrived back in California mid-afternoon exhausted from the long flight. I gave Miss Marilyn—who had been well taken care of by her sitter—the chocolate bar I had bought for her in Paris and then fell asleep on the couch just as evening shadows began to creep across town. That night I dreamed I was in a sequel to A Knight’s Tale, and that Heath Ledger and I were valiant horsemen, jousting partners, venerated throughout medieval Europe.


COLES CATALANA

Cabbage soup

1/2 lb. lean beef, cubed
2 chorizo sausages
1-2 lb. ham hock
1 bay leaf
3 or 4 garlic cloves unpeeled and crushed
1 large white cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
1 (#2) can white beans (Great Northern or Cannellini)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium size onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 lb. bacon, chopped

In a soup pot, place beef, chorizos, ham hock, bay leaf and crushed garlic. Cover with water, bring to a quick boil and skim. Lower heat and cook until meet is fork tender, about an hour. Remove garlic and bay leaf. (I skimmed the broth a bit more at this point) Add the cabbage, beans, and potatoes to soup pot. In a skillet, saute the onion and green pepper with the cubed bacon until bacon is crisp and the onion is soft. Remove excess grease from the saute and add mixture to soup. Cook until potatoes and cabbage are done--about 45 minutes.


Notes: 1) You can use a ham shank instead of a hock. out and took the meat off and kind of shredded it.
** The person that gave me this recipe said that she used garbanzo beans. Any of the types of beans would be good.

I used some chorizo sausage that I had made, but you will get it in tube form, I suppose. So, I guess you would need to slice or chop the sausages.

Thankfully, the membership director at my new gym was gracious enough to let me pay over the phone with a credit card. Unfortunately, I completely forgot to ask after the gym’s whereabouts and will have to call again soon to discern its location.