OK everyone, I
want to start this post by allaying your fears. To answer all of you who have
been constantly writing to me since I stepped aboard; yes, we do get dessert
aboard the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer
(NBP). I know that was of the utmost concern to all of our dedicated blog
readers, so I want to assure you that we are in good hands. I’d like to occupy
the next few minutes of your time by sharing the dessert culture we’ve
cultivated aboard the NBP…
Pie, fresh-baked
cookies, homemade brownies, liquid nitrogen-created ice cream, and dessert
burritos are among the many sweet creations in which I partake on a daily basis
(or if it is a day like yesterday, three times in two meals). I’m normally good
about exercising dessert restraint at breakfast, but after that all bets are
off. Of course, I hear the typical clichés throughout the day: “Oh, that’s too
much for me”, “Oh, no I couldn’t possibly…”, “If I eat that, I’ll have to go
lie down and take a nap all afternoon”. To these people, I feel an obligation.
They eat dessert vicariously through me. I can’t let them down, can I? Of
course not! Since I’ve been bearing the burden of eating dessert for not only
myself, but for a good portion of the science party aboard the NBP, I’ve had
plenty of opportunity to taste the sweet baked delights from the galley. I
thought I’d share some of my experiences with you…
Your author chows down on some lemon cake
after lunch. Photo credit: D. Koweek.
Cookies
Cookies are the
basic unit of currency for dessert aboard the NBP. They set the bar for other
desserts to follow. The galley is stocked full of lots of commercial cookies. I
am particularly fond of the coconut cookies. Ultimately, though, the chocolate
chip cookie is major player on the cookie scene. We are frequently rewarded
with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies in the mid-afternoon. They form a
really great mid-afternoon snack. Personally, I like to combine my cookies with
some French vanilla ice cream…
+
A nice appetizer if you ask me! Photo
credits: D. Koweek.
Pies
I’ve never been
in such a pro-pie environment! Dany, the head chef, seems to have a real
affinity for pies. Here was the pie selection for dessert one night this past
week!
From left to right: banana, cherry, peach
and apple pies. Photo credit: D. Koweek.
Which slice did
I choose? All four of them! I felt a bit full afterwards, but the extra cookie
really helped wash everything down nicely. Blueberry pie has also been featured
on the menu. I’m very partial to pies and this cruise has really set a high bar
for pie diversity, quality, and abundance.
Cakes, Cupcakes,
and Other Assorted Desserts
Lunch dessert
frequently includes glazed chocolate and lemon cakes. Yesterday, I combined my
lemon cake with some homemade whipped cream and vanilla pudding on top.
Yesterday’s lunch dessert. Photo
credit: D. Koweek.
Possibly the
most impressive artistic dessert display was a chocolate peanut butter brownie
shaped like a cupcake. I have to admit that this dessert was rich enough that
even I had to call it quits after having only one. Disappointing, I know, but
slow and steady wins the race and I have another 40+ days of desserts to
conquer!
The famous chocolate peanut butter
brownie cupcake. Photo credits: D. Koweek.
Now off to the
gym! I have a day’s worth of desserts to burn off and the next day’s pies are
right around the corner!
–David