PASSIONATE RATIONS

I love stumbling across food that I’ve never before had.

At my office, there’s an empty cubicle in which people will often place food items for general consumption–a kind of hidden altar to the hungry.  You have to know where to find it. More than once, I’ve been saved from my gurgling stomach by the offerings of cookies, or cake, or bagels that I’ve found there.  I sometimes am alerted to the presence of food in the cubicle when I see my co-workers chewing in proximity to the cubicle.

From afar, I saw a colleague leaving the cubicle munching on what I thought was a smaller-than-average plain bagel. Not wanting a bagel at the time, I didn’t bother to stroll by the cubicle until about an hour later (on a different errand).  Only then did I discover my mistake.

What looked like a bagel from afar, and even came in a plastic sleeve like bagels at the grocery store, was not a bagel.  Instead, I found something called a “Portuguese Biscoito” from Tony’s Bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts.  A little post-it note was appended next to the bag stating “Goes well with coffee, tea, milk, etc.”

Intrigued, I snagged one, surprised by its hardness.   A bite revealed a mild flavor, reminiscent of the Portuguese sweet rolls with which I am more familiar.  The round was slightly sweet on the tongue; the consistency was dense, almost cookie-like.  I found the biscuit alone to make a pleasant dessert–just enough sweetness to satisfy, but not overpowering in any aspect.  Indeed, I can see why such a biscuit would be deemed to be an excellent accompaniment at high tea, or, perhaps, as a palate cleaner between tastings of wine.

A fine food find for the office…and on a Monday yet!