Fine foods from Gate families

 Fine foods from Gate families

     As the South Gate theme continues I think back on the one constant through all families known by the Sheehy and Creason tribes. Not alcoholism which afflicted many in the group and not racism that reared it's ugly head all over town.  This one is culinary with the memories of the trademark dishes or beverages of the not grand but nice homes of the Gate. It is odd to say the least that many of these favorites do not jive with the idea of heritages of these families. Since these posts are for Greg we  start with Grace Sheehy's renowned Spaghetti sauce that was so loved it was spooned on slices of white bread as a leftovers in the days after the original dinner. The recipe has been passed on to Kit Kat and it is hoped they are eating this one in the twenty-second century. Grace's potato salad was perfection also but it brought strong digestive winds that were created by the recipe. Far less memorable was the lunch staple of Franco-American spaghetti by the boys which was about as Italian as a hot dog. At the Whitney's there could be no dish before Roy's Sunday afternoon barbecued chicken that reached grilling nirvana due to Roy's practice of many years. Olivia also had the most active coffee pot in the city. Dot Breen, Mom of Big Brownie was a marvelous baker and anything she brought out of the oven was a delicacy to be coveted. The Knowlton's despite their budget strained by 11 mouths too feed were renowned for their very unique tacos. How an Irish lady came up with chorizo stuffed, soft tacos I will never know but when that smell hit the noses on Annetta the extra mouths showed up to find grease running down the forearms and delight finding their bellies.

 While Shighela White was an accomplished cook of banquet sized meals she will forever be known for her legendary Irish Coffees that sent Christmas revelers up and down at the same time. Esther Montano was true to her roots and created dozens of holiday time Tamales that brought gringo visitors to their Hunt avenue pad singing Feliz Navidad. Timo's mom Lee Balderama specialized in marinated roast beef that was used for sandos after for days. Mrs. Pelletier was such a bad cook they used to threaten the kids to be sent to bed with dinner. When Dad dropped them off at Jack in the Box on Firestone blvd. it was the best meal they would get. At the Hogan's I would imagine Mae fed Bill and Dave well since they were just a short walk from Ashton's market. However, to me the wonder of Dave Hogan's bbq steaks with the strange side dish of cottage cheese was a winner for dinner, especially with a bottle of Coor's banquet beer. I should include the sweetest Mom, Cathy Carroll but I very rarely ate at Ed's house except very well executed hamburgers with all the fixens and a side of Laura Scudders potato chips. Last but not least was my Mom who was a white lady trained by a English woman in the kitchen. However, her most beloved two dishes were enchiladas and cabbage rolls. Her anglo slant on the enchiladas included ground beef, diced hard-boiled eggs, lettuce and cheese with the basis of the sauce being Campbells Tomato soup and chili power. She also laboriously created hard-shell tacos, sometimes rellenos and refrieds that were referred to by NYC novices as "the Spanish Meal." Anyone in my family would kill for a plate of those babies. When the stories are completely written not too long from now we will see that our childhood diets of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, bacon, soda pop. candy bars, potato chips, donuts, fried chicken, chili fries and ice cream may not have been healthy but they were damn delicious.