Hi Jenny. I loved your note about being invited to Eric Kim’s for dinner. You are very lucky! The Ali Slagle roast chicken glazed with Eric’s gochujang sauce sounded incredible, and when you asked “Who will you cook it for first?” the answer was easy: my husband, of course. I’d love to hear more about that night if you’re willing. What else was served, what the vibe was, all of it. It deserves its own post.
P.P.S. I read your Recipe Osmosis post and it reminded me - I have always been a cookbook reader, but while I was pregnant, I kept a cookbook or two on my nightstand so if (when) I woke up in the middle of the night, I could read and read and not be worried about remembering plot lines. Yes, sometimes it made me hungry, but that's what peanut butter and whole wheat crackers eaten over the sink were for!
I am going to have to jump in a time machine - it was 24 years ago! Definitely whatever I just checkout from the library :), Silver Palate (OG and Good Times), Sarah Leah Chase (Nantucket Open House, Cold Weather Cooking), Bert Greene (Greene on Greens, The Grains Cookbook), Diane Rosen Worthington (The Cuisine of California, The California Cook)....
Thank you for the Banana Pudding Recipe. My husband is a banana fanatic and it is his birthday this month, so I think this will be his "cake". Yum.
Also, thanks for the book recommendation of Lake Effect. My youngest daughter is currently in graduate school in Rochester, NY, so it will be an extra fun read for me. I also downloaded The Land in Winter which looks really good.
I've also seen Mavis Staples in concert several times. She gets assisted arriving on stage and then that voice errupts. She's such a force!
Tip from Vivian Howard's mother, who looooved banana pudding, as related in Deep Run Roots.
When you take the pudding out of the oven, get yourself a dish & spoon. slip that spoon under the meringue & help yourself to a serving. It will all settle back down & no one will know you did it.
I expect your technique will improve with practice.
Silver Palate forever! Although it was the encyclopedic follow-up, The New Basics, that really taught me to cook, and entertain, and dream of a life with food at its center. My copy is even more precious to me now with its inscription from my dad, who died this past December: "The brownie recipe is on p. 655-66!"
I loved Theo of Golden so much! The Audible version was very good too - really brought Theo's voice to life (and Tony's, Mr. Ponder's, etc.). Honestly, it was hard to move on to another book after finishing it. I needed a couple of days to let it settle in. Yes, a balm for the soul.
The story is set in Golden, South Carolina. One day, 87 year old Theo arrives in the town. As he begins to explore his new surroundings he happens upon a coffee shop, The Chalice. 92 portraits line the walls of the coffee shop-the work of a local artist. As Theo studies each portrait he decides to purchase one and bestow it to the person. He meets them on a specific bench near a fountain in the town. Theo has the knack of drawing out the stories of the people in the portraits all the while being vague about his own story. Theo continues to bestow paintings, make connections with local people and becomes a valued member of the community. It is not until the final pages that Theo’s story is revealed.
This is Allen Levi’s debut novel. Also listen to his interview with Katie Couric on Substack. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Love the Silver Palate! It was my mom's cooking bible when I was growing up, and contains the best ever banana bread recipe, among many others.
Hi Jenny. I loved your note about being invited to Eric Kim’s for dinner. You are very lucky! The Ali Slagle roast chicken glazed with Eric’s gochujang sauce sounded incredible, and when you asked “Who will you cook it for first?” the answer was easy: my husband, of course. I’d love to hear more about that night if you’re willing. What else was served, what the vibe was, all of it. It deserves its own post.
Curious, is there a world you’d sell the quote on the bag as a a print!?
Your newsletter is one of THE happiest things I pay for all month. I really mean that. Thanks for all you do!
MAVIS!! That song is divine and needed. TY
I enjoyed Mavis Staples a few years ago. QUEEN.
Other than that, i admittedly hurried through your post so i could make a request :
Please bring back your bumper sticker
MAKE DINNER NOT WAR.
I need one (or 100).
XOX from Idaho. !
(I'll go back and read the rest later )
I love my Silver Palate!!! It’s quite worn, but I read it like a novel and loved the illustrations too.
I’ve never thought to add sausage to the feta/tomato bake—genius!!
P.P.S. I read your Recipe Osmosis post and it reminded me - I have always been a cookbook reader, but while I was pregnant, I kept a cookbook or two on my nightstand so if (when) I woke up in the middle of the night, I could read and read and not be worried about remembering plot lines. Yes, sometimes it made me hungry, but that's what peanut butter and whole wheat crackers eaten over the sink were for!
I love that Beth! Would love to know which cookbooks.
I am going to have to jump in a time machine - it was 24 years ago! Definitely whatever I just checkout from the library :), Silver Palate (OG and Good Times), Sarah Leah Chase (Nantucket Open House, Cold Weather Cooking), Bert Greene (Greene on Greens, The Grains Cookbook), Diane Rosen Worthington (The Cuisine of California, The California Cook)....
Thank you for the Banana Pudding Recipe. My husband is a banana fanatic and it is his birthday this month, so I think this will be his "cake". Yum.
Also, thanks for the book recommendation of Lake Effect. My youngest daughter is currently in graduate school in Rochester, NY, so it will be an extra fun read for me. I also downloaded The Land in Winter which looks really good.
I've also seen Mavis Staples in concert several times. She gets assisted arriving on stage and then that voice errupts. She's such a force!
I love Mavis Staples! How special to get to see her live. The podcast with her and Nora Jones is incredible, you would love it.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/norah-jones-is-playing-along/id1645438817?i=1000583770342
I will listen. Norah Jones made a cameo at the Beacon too!
Awe!! Amazing. Mavis is just pure love!
I saw Mavis Staples when she opened for Norah Jones at Ravinia Festival just north of Chicago. She was so great. Thanks for this podcast link.
It was the first podcast Mavis had ever done. Hope you enjoy it.
Tip from Vivian Howard's mother, who looooved banana pudding, as related in Deep Run Roots.
When you take the pudding out of the oven, get yourself a dish & spoon. slip that spoon under the meringue & help yourself to a serving. It will all settle back down & no one will know you did it.
I expect your technique will improve with practice.
Gah, Eric Kim! I love his columns so much.
I would say that the easy sausage bake was worth the subscription to this newsletter. I also make it once a week!
Bless you Amelia! xoxo
Silver Palate forever! Although it was the encyclopedic follow-up, The New Basics, that really taught me to cook, and entertain, and dream of a life with food at its center. My copy is even more precious to me now with its inscription from my dad, who died this past December: "The brownie recipe is on p. 655-66!"
Hi! Have you read Theo of Golden by Allen Levi? Highly recommend-read it twice in one week…a balm for the soul.
I loved Theo of Golden so much! The Audible version was very good too - really brought Theo's voice to life (and Tony's, Mr. Ponder's, etc.). Honestly, it was hard to move on to another book after finishing it. I needed a couple of days to let it settle in. Yes, a balm for the soul.
Tell us more please!
The story is set in Golden, South Carolina. One day, 87 year old Theo arrives in the town. As he begins to explore his new surroundings he happens upon a coffee shop, The Chalice. 92 portraits line the walls of the coffee shop-the work of a local artist. As Theo studies each portrait he decides to purchase one and bestow it to the person. He meets them on a specific bench near a fountain in the town. Theo has the knack of drawing out the stories of the people in the portraits all the while being vague about his own story. Theo continues to bestow paintings, make connections with local people and becomes a valued member of the community. It is not until the final pages that Theo’s story is revealed.
This is Allen Levi’s debut novel. Also listen to his interview with Katie Couric on Substack. Can’t wait to hear what you think!