Tomorrow, May 8, is the Feast of St. Paul Gaugin. The Invisible Basilica tells us, “The life of Paul Gauguin provides us with an example of a man who flouted convention and abandoned material success in order to pursue his true will; and in so doing, transformed western culture. Crowley strongly identified with Gauguin, both as a painter and as an initiate; and he formally added Gauguin’s name to the list of Saints in 1921 e.v.”
Because Gaugin died in French Polynesia and spent most of his last days in Tahiti*, we present two Polynesian dishes today in his honor.
Papeete Tahitian Prawns
(from The Polynesian Kitchen)
- 1 lb prawns
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 2-3 tbs vegetable oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground red pepper (more to taste)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 ½ tsp parsley, finely chopped
On the side:
Green Papaya Salad
(from Tahitian Dreams)
- 1lb green papaya
- 2 chili peppers, deseeded and finely sliced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
*Tahiti may be familiar to fans of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for reasons other than Paul Gaugin.