Do you read SpinachTiger? If not you should. Her blog is sophisticated, witty and honest.
These are great reasons to read her blog 364 days a year. But there is a 365th day and on that day there is an even more compelling reason to make the time to go there.
Tuesday December 1 is World AIDS Day. Angela at SpinachTiger is asking us to Cook Red To Remember.
Now, I am going to say something that may seem controversial. I am a gay man, old enough to remember the shell-shocked days of the early epidemic. I don’t need a special day to remember the death, the sadness or the fear.
So when I hear about these special days set aside for remembrance there is a part of me that bristles up and thinks, “what about every other day in the year?” It sometimes almost offends me that one day a year needs to be set aside so we can “remember” that 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and there is still no cure.
But then Angela comes along and shares her story. It reminds me that there are people out there who remember quietly. There are people who grieve privately. A person like me might think, what does she know about that time?
Well shame on me! Because the numbers are still so staggering that it is hard to find someone who is not affected by this tragedy in one way or another. I need this special day to let loose a little of the anger and just remember that for every one of those 40 million people, and for every one of the other men, women and children who have died, there are countless others who are also affected. People like Anglea who remember everyday that this tragedy is felt by every man, woman and child on this planet.
Angela tells her story far more poignantly than I ever could. I suggest you take a moment and read about her grief, because as hard as it might be, the telling of these stories is important.
As for my own story, I often say, “AIDS missed me, I don’t know how”. But the truth is AIDS has missed none of us and we need to remember that.
I have Oysters with a Red Mignonette. Because I wanted to show you how simple it is to Cook Red To Remember. I’ll be back on Tuesday with something else red. Until then keep remembering.
Oysters with Red Mignonette serves 4 Click here for printable recipe
- 1⁄2 c red wine vinegar
- 2 T sherry vinegar
- 2 T olive oil
- 2 T red onion, minced
- 2 t finely crushed white pepper
- crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 pn kosher salt
- 24 oysters, freshly shucked on the half shell
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, olive oil, shallots, white and red pepper and salt and whisk to blend. Spoon atop oysters or serve alongside
Comments
My god (small g -- no
My god (small g -- no blaspheming involved), Greg, your pics are getting more fab by the blog. I really see your unique styling point of view.
So true what you say. And
So true what you say. And everyday we remember people like my husband's best friend (only one out of many he knew) who died of Aids, my husband at his side. A terrible tragedy. And this is a brilliant way to remember.
Sigh...
Greg, you've done a remarkable job with this post. I love, love, love it! Those oysters & red mignonette are making my mouth water... Yum!
One reason...
Hi Greg...Angela speaks of you frequently in "conversation," but this is my first visit to your site. I have at least one reason why there needs to be a World AIDS Remembrance Day. Because there are people like me who live far enough removed from the city and hustle and bustle of more open lives. There are people like me who haven't been touched enough to be upset that there isn't enough being done. That's what today is for. It's for sharing that information. (Wow...Angela...look what you did!!) By reading your post, I've learned about the vast numbers of people suffering from a KILLING VIRUS we've known about for more than 20 years now. We have neither a cure, nor a vaccine. I learned these common facts TODAY. I am ashamed and appalled. And I thank you for helping me see more clearly. Bravo to you for sharing so much. A toast to you. And I'll cook red again soon, and remember much, much more frequently.
"Cooking" Red to Remember
I'm here via Angela. I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you! I think I must thank you for a very thoughtful post.
On the other hand, after reading your post I had to totally redesign a piece of jewelry I am auctioning off to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation It went from a special, wear once-in-a-blue-moon piece to something that would be cherished as an everyday piece.
Oh - and that Red Mignonette - ooh la la! Can't wait to try it :-)
Thank You
for your post, and the link to Angela's, her story is absolutely heartbreaking. Your contributions to this day of remembrance not only sound delicious, but as always, are stunningly beautiful. How do you do it? - Steve
Remembering
Greg, great post and thank you. I wish I could have come to SFO this year to met you and all the others bloggers. Mrs.Tiger has not stopped talking about it.
One of my great sadnesses is that I never got to meet Mrs. Tiger's brother and cousin. I met her the following year after they were gone. But, I know what special people they were and I know they are missed every day of every year. So, we remember, we pray, and we hope for the cure... and for compassion and understanding.
Hello!
This must be Doug! Of course I feel I know you. Thanks for commenting. GREG
Thank you so much reminding
Thank you so much reminding us of Angela's story, a beautiful post. Tomorrow is an important day to remember. Your plate with oysters is absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful
Wow. That was...amazing. Beautiful. Powerful. Greg, thank you for this post, and for sharing Angela's story with us. I must admit I have not had much experience or knowledge in this area, but you opened my eyes to something serious that affects so many people in this world.
Also speechless.
Humbled and teary.
No way to forget
Lovely post. I was also so stunned by Angela's story I wanted to participate (my post will be up tomorrow).
While I personally don't need a special day to remember (I will remember the people I've lost every single day of my life), I do think that the rest of the world needs to be reminded that this crisis still exists. It's too easy to become complacent.
I can't eat a raw oyster without mignonette sauce. There's something about the vinegar and shallots which compliment the brininess of the oyster perfectly. I look forward to seeing your other contribution.
Don't know where to begin
First I was drawn by the stunning pic and also, because well, you had oysters.
What an incredibly powerful post, also read Spinach Tiger. Wow! You two blew me a away.
Inspired & Touched
I'm inspired....and touched. ~CA
A Painful But Excellent Post
My wife and I have lost several friends to AIDS and think it's appalling that we still don't have a cure (or proper stable funding towards the search for one) after all this time.
What if.....
People looked at cancer victims and self righteously said, "They deserve it!"
Yet there are still those that think that about AIDS. It's a phucked up, mucked up world. I just don't understand where they come up with that.
Are those Japanese Maple leaves? I need to go look up mignonette, I would have pictured small bits of beef tenderloin.
As far as red, I can probably come up with something good. There's the obvious red bell pepper, rare fillet, and cherries but I'd rather come up with something unique.
very touching post Greg, I
very touching post Greg, I know how hard it is for those who have AIDS. My father lost his best friend to AIDS and I remember his last days were spent in the hospital. I know someday we will have a cure.
I just love the oysters with red mignonette it so gorgeous to look at!
Even if we're not directly
Even if we're not directly affected, it's still good to be aware that it's still a problem in the world. I know someone living with the disease. Though, we aren't close. It still affects me in some ways. I'll definitely be wearing my red on Tuesday.
You are right...
...this is important and Angela's story is humbling. I am lost for any other words.
Ignorance
It's ashame that being gay is still considered controversial, that people would still judge someone based on a sexual orientation!?
I read Angela's post and although I have not been affected by AIDS I feel for her and her loss, for the loneliness of the disease and the stigmas attached to it.
Your photo and presentation are absolutely beautiful!
Speechless
And for me, that is rare. The red is gorgeous. You are so classy and your food styling is killing me in a good way. All I can say is thank you from my whole heart. I understand the 364 days of remembering, because I live those also but to do this together with others is not just helping me, it's like lifting some beautiful people out of the grave and breathing life back into them.
I look forward to Tuesday.
worthy
this is a definite and I will do my best to participate -
cook red to remember
Greg - Your honesty was well-expressed and appreciated. Hopefully, with people like you and Angela sharing personal experiences and making an effort to keep the memory of those who were lost or suffer still, we may someday see a cure. Better yet, a prevention. I, too, have something to post at Angela's request but was waiting for Dec. 1. Maybe I'll let it fly sooner. P.S. Your oyster presentation looks terrific.
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