Patricia Wells is My Patron Saint, and Using Up the Tomatoes Before They're Gone
To truly be considered a card-carrying Francophile you probably have to, you know, be able to speak the language. I can barely trill my r's in the simplest je voudrais, but I do know there is something about French culture that speaks to me, even if I can't speak to it.
The best non-fiction book I've read in the past year would have to be the glimpse afforded in On Rue Tatin of an American-who-loves-food-living-in-France (my favorite genre). In it, Susan Herrmann Loomis, my current life model, writes (in addition to her love of swimming and the smell of bread emanating from her town's bakeries in the mornings) about her friendship with Patricia Wells and their mutual love of food. The fact that these two women who are so cool and so lovely and so French-by-association are friends kind of blows my mind.
So of course I also love Patricia Wells' newest cookbook, Vegetable Harvest. It's not vegetarian, as I originally thought (which is good cause it's got fabulous looking recipes for lamb and tuna tartare, oh my!) but it is filled with the sort of easy-elegant recipes that make you want to pack your bags and head for Dijon immediately. Her recipes let vegetables shine, which really, they do so well if given the chance. In this Elastic Waist video we're using up the last of the season's tomatoes, and you can find the recipes here.
Comments
Thanks for the great recipes! Where did you get those ADORABLE heart-shaped measuring spoons?
Posted by: Ann | October 25, 2007 9:49 PM
I'm curious to know what you think is the best work of fiction you've read in the past year...
Posted by: Suzy | October 25, 2007 10:31 PM
Ann, I adore your blog! Just added it to my bloglines and can't wait to read more. As for the measuring spoons, my mom gave them to me. Mom, where did you get those?
Suzy, Last winter I had some very cozy evenings in bed drinking hot chocolate and reading I Capture the Castle. You?
Posted by: Sarah | October 26, 2007 12:17 PM
Hmm...I can't remember what I've read in the past year (I read a lot but don't always keep track). While I usually read much more literary things (A.S. Byatt's Possession is a favorite of mine--sorry, I'm a Luddite and don't know how to make links), I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens. It's a very light read and pretty predictable, but irresistable nonetheless. I dashed through it this summer while nestled in crumbling wicker furniture in my screened-in porch. (But I think it would be even more delectable read in a more wintry setting with a dish of sticky date pudding at your side.)
Posted by: Suzy | October 28, 2007 1:26 PM
I was sitting at the table this morning staring at a bowl of heirlooms I nabbed at the farmers market this week wondering what one, last, fantastic recipe I wanted to use them in! Thanks for the suggestions!
Posted by: EB | October 28, 2007 3:18 PM
Sarah, I cannot remember where I bought your heart shaped measuring spoons but I saw some recently in a delightful, locally owned home gifts shop in Warwick NY. Same place I bought your Halloween cookie cutters. XOX MOM
Posted by: Allison Conley | October 29, 2007 10:29 AM
I LOVE the idea of that vanilla bean in the dressing for the first tomato salad! OOoooh! You've got an eye for a good recipe, m'dear.
Posted by: Molly | October 31, 2007 2:26 PM
I'm reading On Rue Tatin right NOW (halfway through it) and it's beautiful. And "American who loves food living in France"?
My favorite genre, too.
Posted by: rebekka | October 31, 2007 2:50 PM