ESCAPE FROM DEATH

 

This morning Marge and I decided to forego our self-imposed isolation and take a shot at a restaurant breakfast.  We decided to go into New Britain and give Brian’s Fare on West Main Street a visit.  Heading on Wooster Street toward West Main we crossed over the railroad tracks just before the intersection.  As we crossed the tracks I turned my head to the left and looked down the tracks.  Why did I say out of habit? 

Because sixty nine years ago I traveled this same route in my dad’s Chrysler with a car load of friends heading to our Monday evening church CYO meeting.  The music on the radio and the conversations were both load enough to be called “distracted driving” in today’s terms. The route was the same as todays, but the train heading from Plainville in my direction was not.  Although this was a scary surprise at the time there was still ample time to get across.  When we came to West Main I turned the corner and continued heading to our Holy Cross Church destination.

Sad to say we didn’t get there on time.  As I turned the corner the Police flashing lights put a stop to my progress. I’m not quite sure what the charges were, but after his bawling me out and lectures I was ticketed and scheduled for a court appearance.  That was bad enough, but the next day was even worst.  One of the articles in the local New Britain Herald had some nice large headlines, “Youth Escapes Death”.  I guess the police officer was more descriptive that I was in this Blog.  He might have embellished a little, maybe?

Good old Dad had some connections in those days and made the whole this go away.  The case and court records of the escaping teenager were cleared.

Todays’ Blog Recipe:

Baked Tilapia

 

2 tablespoons butter

20 Ritz or Townhouse crackers, crushed fine

4 (1-3/4 to 2 pounds) Tilapia Fillets

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 or 2 (to taste) garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1/2 green or red bell pepper, diced

1 can diced or crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

White wine (optional)

 

Melt butter in Microwave, brush on bottom of casserole dish.  Season fillets with salt and pepper.  Mix crushed crackers with remaining butter to moisten, add parmesan cheese and parsley. Mix to incorporate.

 

In a heated fry pan sauté onions, peppers and garlic until soft.  Add tomatoes, oregano and basil.  Salt and pepper to taste and add a little white wine if desired.  Simmer a few minutes to incorporate the flavors.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

 

Pour over the Tilapia and coat evenly with the bread crumb mixture. 

 

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven till nice and bubbly and bread crumbs begin to brown, about 20 minutes.        Serves 4