Tag Archives: food

May 10, 2013

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley

relishYou all know I love food. And I love graphic novels. And I really enjoyed Lucy Knisley’s book French Milk (review). So, as you can probably bet, this was a match made in heaven for me.

This was SUCH a match made in heaven for me.

Relish is Lucy’s story of her life with food. Lucy may be more obsessed with food than I am! With a mom who is both a chef and gourmand, she had little choice! After her parent’s divorce, Lucy and her mother move to the country. There, her mom starts gardening, working at the local farmer’s market, and even starts a catering company. Lucy, at first, resents the move and misses the big city with its plethora of food opportunities, but soon comes to appreciate what her mother has brought to her. Her trips back to the city to visit with her father, who only eats at restaurants, are a nice contrast to this home grown attitude of her mom’s. The memoir follows her through growing up in the country, into her move to Chicago to go to art school and her introduction to all the different kinds of foods available there.

Be careful though. This book will make you hungry.

I love Lucy’s attitude toward food. I try to eat healthy. I’m trying to teach my children to reach for that carrot stick instead of a French fry. Lucy’s mom tried to instill the same thing in her. Yet, Lucy has other ideas, and I agree with them. Every once in a while, you just gotta get that McDonald’s cheeseburger! Yes, it is not nutritionally the best thing to pick. But it tastes good! And one, every once in a while, isn’t going to hurt. I love that she’s not stuck up about food.

I love the way she draws out her recipes. It (quite possibly strangely) brought to mind The Pioneer Woman and how she photographs EVERYTHING in her recipes. All the ingredients. All the steps. And the results. (also, *drool*) Lucy’s drawings are cute and the recipes sound (and look) delicious.

Yeah. This is a must own.

What do you think of foodie memoirs? What do you think of them in a graphic novel format?

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
By Lucy Knisley
Rated: 5/5
Publisher: First Second
Published 4/2/2013
192 pages
ISBN: 9781596436237
Acquired from the library, but I will be buying myself a copy

 

 

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February 25, 2012

Stuff I Love Saturday (10)

Honestly, this seems to be the only think I love today. At least so far. I’ve listened to it about 20 times this morning and I don’t see it slowing anytime soon. Well, that, and also this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWZOwvj_7mg

I am very happy Kelly introduced me to The Civil Wars yesterday. Thank you Kelly!

I’ve hit a bit of a cooking slump, which happens way more than I would like too. This has led me to look at a ton of recipes this week, seeking inspiration. Here are a few things I’m wanting to try:

Cranberry Chicken from Family Recipe Box. That picture just makes me drool.

Rotisserie Chicken in the Crock Pot from Busy Mommy. Apparently I’m craving chicken.

And lastly, Blackened Chicken with Roasted Garlic Alfredo from Plain Chicken.

I’ve also found a few books I want to add to my TBR, which I can actually add books to said TBR.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Isn’t it ironic that the author’s last name is Strayed? Inevitable comparisons to Bill Bryson have been made, which, well, suckered me into wanting to read it. PR FTW!

Zibilee has me wanting to read The Face Thief by Eli Gottlieb even more than I already did. I read Now You See Him back in 2009 and, while I didn’t love it, it did really stay with me, which always brings my admiration of any book up. Plus, I’m interested to see how this author has grown.

After many urgings from Jenn at Devourer of Books, Irish at Ticket to Anywhere, and Kathy at Bermuda Onion, I’m getting Ready Player One today. I can’t wait to start it!

Also, Renay and Jodie and rebooting NerdsHeartYA and they want help. If you want to help, check out this post to find out how! I love NerdsHeartYA!

What are you loving today?

Have a great weekend everybody!

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September 27, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays – Lunch Wars by Amy Kalafa

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. Head on over to find out all about it, and how to join in!

This past week I’ve been reading Lunch Wars: How to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Childrens Health by Amy Kalafa which is equal parts horrifying and empowering. But more on that Thursday. For now, here is a teaser:

Americans spend $200 billion per year in diet-related health care costs; twice as much per person than any other developed nation. The estimated annual cost of obesity is $123 billion-half of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.

and one more, for good measure. The most upsetting line in the whole book, for me:

Our kids might be the first generation in history on track to lead shorter lives than their parents.

I have so many more I could share! And will! Thursday!

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July 1, 2009

Comfort Food

Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

You totally want a cupcake now, dotcha.

Comfort Food
Author: Kate Jacobs
Pages: 384
Release Date: April 7, 2009
Publisher: Berkeley Trade
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

From the back cover:

Shortly before turning 50, TV cooking show personality Augusta “Gus” Simpson discovers that the network wants to boost her ratings by teaming her with a beautiful, young new co-host. But Gus isn’t going without a fight—whether it’s off-set with her two demanding daughters, on-camera with the ambitious new diva herself, or after-hours with Oliver, the new culinary producer who’s raising Gus’s temperature beyond the comfort zone. Now, in pursuit of higher ratings and culinary delights, Gus might be able to rejuvenate more than just her career.

When I was offered the chance to review this, I couldn’t help but be excited.  I’ve seen lots of positive reviews for Comfort Food, as well as her previous book, The Friday Night Knitting Club, so I knew I wanted to read it.  Plus, it’s about FOOD y’all and I LOVE food.

So, I snapped it up.  And as soon as I had the chance, I devoured it.

Comfort Food is a multigenerational tale that takes place in the foodie/television world.  Popular television icon Augusta ‘Gus’ Simpson is the host of “Cooking with Gusto!”a beloved show on the struggling Cooking Channel.  Gus, a widowed mother of two grown daughters, is about to turn 50 and is not very excited about it.  So tired, that she is actually considering not hosting the lavish birthday party she usually throws for herself.  These trials are nothing compared to the sabotage waiting for her when her boss cancels her show and insists that she co-host a new show with YouTube cooking sensation Carmen Vega.  Carmen is younger, hotter and by all appearances getting very cozy with the boss.  The bosses think Gus needs to spice things up and that Carmen is just the ticket.  However, it’s pretty much obvious from the moment they meet each other that there will be no getting along.

Add to the cast of characters Gus’s flighty, commitment-phobic daughter and her protective sister, Sabrina and Aimee, Sabrina’s ex-boyfriend Troy, Gus’s reclusive neighbor Hannah, and Gus’s new show director (and possible love interest) Oliver and you have a recipe for lots of good story, tension and something comforting.  

By the end of the book I felt as if I knew these characters personally.  The writers are finely drawn and you’ll love them, hate them, want to throttle them and invite them home for dinner; just like family.  The writing has its share problems; the book is too long, there are a few too many characters wrapped up in the plot (I think Hannah could have had her own book!) and the author never convinced me to like Carmen, but on the whole it’s an enjoyable read about food, family, love and finding your place in the world, no matter your age.   

And hey, maybe my loosing streak with chick lit has been busted??  We can only hope.

Visit the Comfort Food website for more about the book, including recipes!

Many thanks to Melissa at Penguin Books for supplying this delightful read!

Also reviewed at:

S. Krishna Books | Caribou’s Mom | Trish at Hey Lady! | Book Club Girl | Books, Movies and Chinese Food | Booking Mama | The Written Word | Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books | Lesa’s Book Critiques |  |

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October 1, 2008

The Best Burger in the World…

Yum!

Yum!

my favorite quote in a long while:

“…That first bite. Oh, what heaven that first bite is. The bun, like a sesame-freckled breast of an angel, resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below. Flavors mingling in a seductive pas de deux. And then… a pickle. The most… playful little pickle. Then a slice of tomato. A leaf of lettuce. A patty of ground beef so… exquisite… swirling in your mouth, breaking apart and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savories so… delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin. This is God, speaking to us through food.”

Marshall Erikson on How I Met Your Mother Monday night. 

Doesn’t that make you hungry?  It’s so much better to hear him say it.  Man, I want a burger now!

You can see the episode here.  I hope you get as addicted to it as I am.

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September 12, 2008

Friday Favorites

From Getty Images, does it not look YUM? (Sandwich of ham, cheese, cornichons and mustard on french bread)

From Getty Images, does it not look YUM? (Sandwich of ham, cheese, cornichons and mustard on french bread)

I love, love, love to cook, so I thought today that I would share some of my favorite Food Blogs!

A Year of Crockpotting – This food blogger has committed to cooking one meal, in her crock-pot, every day, for a year.  She’s got some interesting stuff here (Smoked brisket?  Steak, potatoes and corn-all in one pot?!)  and I’m going to try her Crock-pot Stuffed Peppers this week!  (Psst! She’s also gluten free!)

Kalyn’s Kitchen – Kalyn has lots of terrific recipes, some of which I have tried, and loved.  She also spotlights interesting spices (first place I ever heard of Penzey’s!) and shares her travels.  I just love her blog.

A Veggie Venture – This is a new one to me, but I already know I’ll be visiting a lot.  She has cooked with practically every vegetable known to man, multiple times!!  Some much yummy stuff, just waiting to be explored!

Kiss the Cook – Ah, my buddy Les.  All the recipes she’s posts look so, so, so yummy.  Try her Indonesia Bamie.  It is fab-u-lous!

Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen – This is another new one to me.  Jaden did some guest posting on the next blog and I had to go check her out.  I love Asian food.  I mean – LOVE.  I can’t wait to try some of her dishes.

Simply Recipes – Elise was one of the first food blogs I ever visited.  Her dishes are varied, interesting, and, for the most part, uncomplicated.  I find her blog to be delightful. 

Panini Happy – Oh my goodness, but how I love sandwiches.  I was tickled pink to find this blog.  I can’t wait to start experimenting with different breads, meats, cheeses, veggies, fruits…oh the possibilities!!!  I can’t wait to try the French Dip Panini she posted just a day or so ago.  Yum!

Do you have any favorite food blogs to share?

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November 20, 2007

My New BFF

eatpray.jpgYes, I have made a new best friend.  No, I’ve never met her and I doubt I ever will, but reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s eat, pray, love has made me feel like I have met her and that she is, in fact, my new bestest best friend.  Forever!  Oh my goodness but this is such a great book.  I’ve only read through the Italy section, which was delicious, and am into the India section now. 

The Italy section left me totally wanting to go to Italy and eat.  Eat, eat, eat, and eat some more!  I love Gilbert’s writing style.  She seems very down-to-earth and, well, best friend-ishly.  I can’t put it down!  And thank goodness, I have another book of hers on my shelf that I haven’t read – Stern Men.  I’ll have to pick up The Last American Man too, it sounds like an interesting read as well. 

Must get back to India now and do some meditating!

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