Judy’s rafting terror results in … asparagus rafts

As usual I was stumped for a topic for this week’s article. Upon awakening to snow on Monday, I remembered the time I was “forced” to go white water rafting.

It was 1984 and our good friend Shimmy Stein put together a white water rafting expedition to Lehigh. He had his chevra from Forest Hills (us) and his friends from everywhere else. All my friends said it would be a great experience and that I had to try it at least once. The Webers and Maels were also going and talked me into it as well.

As we got close to our destination, I started to panic. I knew I was going to hate it. What was I thinking when I agreed. We had to fill out a form that had various health conditions listed on it, I was busy thinking of the ailments I’d be plagued with after my river adventure! When it was my turn, I was asked what size wet suit I wanted. “Wet suit? No I don’t need one,” I said. It was then that it was explained to me that we all had to wear them as it was 32-33 degrees and it was very cold in the water.

“I don’t plan to be in the water, no problem.” It was obvious I was a novice in this sport — and I wanted to keep it that way. “I can wait in the car,” I said. That wasn’t happening so I begrudgingly got my wet suit and joined the other women in the bathroom to put it on. Oh, did I say put? I actually meant squeezed, or maybe shoved with all my might, into the wet suit. Then, the piece d’resistance … drum roll please … there is a flap that comes from the back to the front thru the legs, think diaper. So there we were with these one piece black rubber skin tight wet suits and black wool ski hats. We could have pulled the hats over our faces, cut out holes for the eyes and robbed a bank, which at that point I think I would have rather done.

We were then given some instructions on what to expect and what to do if we fell out of the raft during a rapid. He was very clear. Do not fight the rapid just let it carry you down the river and we will come pick you up. I looked at my ex, and said “you owe me a mink coat for this!”

We put our big lunch pail in with everyone’s lunch locked inside so it would stay waterproof and we were told to run with the raft into the water and then jump into the boat.

About an hour into our adventure we hit a rock and guess who flew into the water along with the lunch pail into a raging rapid. I remembered to go along with the flow and not fight it. Weird, I didn’t remember the guide telling us as we went along with the flow every single part of our bodies would be scraped and bumped along the rocks in the river. After what seemed like forever I spotted another raft and they graciously plucked me out of the water. They assured me my raft would be by very soon to get me. I told them I wasn’t so sure I wanted to get back on my raft.

About ten minutes later there was my raft with everyone intact and dry waving wildly and calling out my name. Just then I shouted to my husband — “sable, not mink, you’re getting me a sable!”

Once back aboard we headed toward dry land for a break and Shimmy and his friends shared their lunches with us as ours was overboard somewhere in the Lehigh River. Little did I know, that one of the men who shared his lunch with us, would one day, years down the road, marry me. Thanks also to Steve Kollander as well.

The day couldn’t end quickly enough and I was never so happy as I was when I was able to take off that wet suit. I couldn’t wait to go home, shower and get into bed to nurse my sore body. Turns out we got home very quickly as Joel had to make a flight at JFK and it seemed as if he was driving faster than the speed of sound. I think he almost broke the sound barrier that day.

Bet you thought there was no recipe for rafts! Think again, and enjoy!

Grilled Asparagus Rafts

Ingredients:

• 24 asparagus spears,

• 2 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 1/2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds

• pepper to taste

Cut off the woody part on the ends of the asparagus.

Place four asparagus stalks next to each other.

Place skewers crosswise in two places – right below the tips, and another an inch from the bottom of the asparagus spear. At this point it will resemble a raft.

Combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and sesame seeds and mix.

Brush the mixture on the asparagus rafts on both sides. Season the asparagus with a touch of salt and generous amount pepper.

Grill the asparagus on a barbecue or in a griddle pan for 4-5 minutes per side, turning with tongs. Sprinkle with some extra sesame seeds after turning so the top of the raft has some extra seeds.