The other night we went to see Contagion. Despite the strong potential for corniness suggested in this promo poster and tagline (“the world goes viral”? seriously?), it was some good entertaining fun, although I will say that if you’re inclined to paranoia and/or hypochondria you’ll probably want to run home and take a shower, and you may find yourself resenting anyone who dares to sneeze or cough in the theater. (I made a totally fake cough sound as we were... Read more
It’s with great excitement that I announce my plan to turn back the pages of time and embrace with boldness all things buttered, creamed, and, by our 21st century standards, totally old-fashioned and unhealthy. I’m going to spend each Tuesday with Fannie Farmer. This may mean homemade doughnuts for breakfast. This may mean finding out, once and for all, what on earth creamed chipped beef on toast is. This may mean creating, with my own hands, the dish I fear... Read more
This week’s recipe is super-simple and totally delicious. I made fresh pita to go with it, but it would also be great with purchased pita, naan bread, or even bagel chips. Preheat oven to 450F. {you don’t need to cut everything neatly, since it’s going to be almost-puree anyway. if you’re using Japanese eggplants, like I did, just leave the skin on–it’s quite tender.} Toss all of the following together in a large roasting pan: 1 large eggplant, peeled and... Read more
…the Saturday post! {Last week’s winner is Britt T. “Great review. I would love to win a free copy of Year of Plenty. Count me in!” Congrats, Britt!} Weekend Eating Reading briefly discusses at least one good book that’s somehow related to ‘joyful eating.’ This week I’m delighted to offer a GIVEAWAY–one free copy of Molly Birnbaum’s Season to Taste! Leave a comment on this post to to enter; comments will be closed on Monday at 8 am EST and I’ll... Read more
Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule’s {this moment}, I’m following a Friday ritual: posting a single photo–no caption, no words–from the week capturing a moment or an idea expressing something related to {family, faith, food; joyful justice & bread of life} —a Moment of Joy. If you would like to do the same, leave a link to your photo in the comments! {couldn’t help myself. look at the tattooed right arms! oh yes, someone wants to be just like his grandpa.} Read more
I’d like to continue this week’s de facto theme of eating together, but with a bit more of a focus on eating with/feeding children. Obviously, this is a HUGE topic–one to which I will certainly return in future posts–so I’m going to confine my thoughts today to the (still big!) question: “how can I make family dinners that everyone–including the children–will enjoy?” It’s a good question. In our own family life, there have been times where my creative cooking energies... Read more
All right, I was a little fired up yesterday. (My mom’s response? “You’re like that critic in Ratatouille. Authors will be afraid of you reading their books.”) Actually, I try hard to be generous in my readings. This may sound corny, but a number of years ago a teacher said that we ought always to “love the author”–as in, “love your neighbor,” and the author is your neighbor–and that has always stuck with me. But sometimes? Sometimes there is just... Read more
Perhaps I’ve been immersed in the world of foodies for too long, but I would’ve expected Les & Leslie Parrott to give a few props to the food movement–beyond pointing out that a movement called Slow Food exists (!)–in their new book, The Hour That Matters Most. They could have said more about the qualitative difference of a meal cooked at home as opposed to something brought in from the takeout place. Or talked about WHY eating together–as opposed to... Read more
It’s Labor Day! The last hurrah of summer; the last day to wear white–a day for boating, beach-going, and barbecuing. And, you, know, plenty of eating. Labor Day is supposed to be lots of fun. It originated as a day to celebrate “the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” In other words, a day to celebrate–and remember–the people whose hard work has made beloved American celebrations–like barbecuing, beach-going, and boating–possible. Labor Day was... Read more
Rachel Marie Stone
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