The first couple of books of the Cazalet Chronicles are really good, but the later books I really didn't enjoy.
One of the few things my grandmother cooked well was what she called Plum Duff, which was nothing like any other plum duff recipe I have seen. Halved plums, sponge batter poured over and baked, served with custard as a pudding, not a cake.
Oh good to know about the Cazalet Chronicles, I heard there was a series too. Plum Duff sounds really good, sounds like something my grandmother would have liked too!
What a lovely post Emiko and that crostata sounds delicious. Walnuts are probably my favourite nut (or at least it's a close tie with pistachios) and I find they are so underrated. I can imagine they work beautifully in this crostata - not just to soak up the cooking juices from the plums but also to provide some contrast in terms of texture and flavour.
I’m not sure how it is I never got a copy of The Little Library Cookbook! As a kid I used to try to invent food to match the books I was reading. Now my biggest concern is whether to get the first or the Parties. Although artichoke flan…mmm.
(I loved Experienced, too!)
I’ve never made that Marian Burros plum tart, mostly because I just don’t love plums, but what you say about cooked ones makes me rethink it (I’ve meant for ages to try it with another fruit). Will see if there are still plums here at the farmers market, I may have missed the boat!
Oh Gabrielle, Kate's Little Library work will be right up your alley! She goes into children's books and novels of all kinds to pluck out food references. Start with the first one, I have that too. I still have to read her novel.
I don't love plums fresh as much, but once they are cooked I think they are the perfect fruit in a dessert because they are sweet and tart at the same time!
It’s funny, I followed her for years because her project seemed so perfect so I don’t know how I missed getting the actual books. Have put them both on my Christmas list! Thanks Emiko for all your posting about inspiring things and great reads, as well as delicious recipes.
Cara Emiko, una ricette deliziosa, come sempre. Grazie di cuore! You did not mention it and may not know about it but there was actually an English mini-series (6 episodes) called "The Cazalets" from 2001. It was a BBC production here in Europe and with PBS in the States, I believe. The brilliant actors such as Hugh Bonneville and Leslie Manville were in it, but frankly I do not remember how it was and it is possible that I still have the DVD, especially now that you have mentioned the Elizabeth Jane Howard books which I enjoyed. I have just purchased your new cookbook "Gohan" for myself and a dear friend who just returned from Japan, and I am very excited about reading it and making the dishes as I have for your other cookbooks. Grazie ancora, e buonissima giornata. Ciao con un abbraccio dal Chianti.
I’ve just gone down a rabbit hole reading Adam Federman’s new biography of Patience Gray, Fasting and Feasting, which tells her complicated life story. I bought 3 of her cookbooks after deep searches, Honey From a Weed, is a big, beautiful book. Written over the span of 20 years, it’s poetic and full of both feasting and hunger. It’s the definition of a cult classic, but few people outside of that cult have even heard about the fascinating woman who wrote it, who would have turned 100 this year. You must look it all up. Puglia foraging in depth! So wonderful. Her julia Childs connection fab stories in themselves. You will love it all. Xxc
Honey from a Weed is my absolute favourite food book! I have quoted her often in my books, especially Tortellini at Midnight and have been in touch with her son when I've been in Puglia -- he lives in her old home there. Here's a post I wrote about her from 2018: https://www.emikodavies.com/honey-from-a-weed-the-world-of-patience-gray/
I bought your T@M and honey and both arrived same day. As I am reading your reference to it on page 65 I’m laughing to myself! Of course you would know it!! I just bought a little house in Ortelle near Castro for 40k and it needs total restoration but such fun to dream about from Wyoming! One day we will meet there. 😘😘🙏
I swear when I read your writing, you inspire me to cook again. Love Kate’s work, including the new novel, and absolutely need to read Still Life, I can’t believe I haven’t.
Speaking of books. I’m having trouble getting thru “Still Life” by Sarah Winman because I keep rereading all the chapters as I go. And each time it’s better and better. I was also besotted with “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante prior to sailing the Gulf of Naples with Peggy Markel. Our on board book was “The Land Where Lemons Grow” by Helen Attlee. And the references go on….Ruth Reichl has also been reminiscing about the power of place in the writings by MFK Fischer. Or David Leibovitz love affair with “ The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth” by Roy Andries de Groot. I am transported by storytelling and the power embedded in the sharing of food with friends at a table….
Oh that's funny, I'm at the last pages of the third of the Elena Ferrante books and The Land Where Lemons Grow is one of my very favourite food books, along with MFK Fischer, always on my list of books to read that I give my guests. In fact, I'm already compiling a book list for a future post! The only one I don't know is the Auberge of the Flowering Hearth, which I will look up, thanks for sharing!
Just finished Still Life. Awesome. Moving on to Ireland for no apparent reason. “This is Happiness”, Niall Williams. Spoke briefly to Peggy Markel. And began the great biscotti bake off to find a “keeper” for my Kitchen Chronicles. Any suggestions?
10.16am and I'm starving for that crostata...
I admit it is rather delicious for breakfast with a dollop of thick yogurt!
And now it is 15.29 and I’m starving again…
I loved Still Life!
The first couple of books of the Cazalet Chronicles are really good, but the later books I really didn't enjoy.
One of the few things my grandmother cooked well was what she called Plum Duff, which was nothing like any other plum duff recipe I have seen. Halved plums, sponge batter poured over and baked, served with custard as a pudding, not a cake.
Oh good to know about the Cazalet Chronicles, I heard there was a series too. Plum Duff sounds really good, sounds like something my grandmother would have liked too!
Plums are for sure better cooked, yes, sounds wonderful
What a lovely post Emiko and that crostata sounds delicious. Walnuts are probably my favourite nut (or at least it's a close tie with pistachios) and I find they are so underrated. I can imagine they work beautifully in this crostata - not just to soak up the cooking juices from the plums but also to provide some contrast in terms of texture and flavour.
I’m not sure how it is I never got a copy of The Little Library Cookbook! As a kid I used to try to invent food to match the books I was reading. Now my biggest concern is whether to get the first or the Parties. Although artichoke flan…mmm.
(I loved Experienced, too!)
I’ve never made that Marian Burros plum tart, mostly because I just don’t love plums, but what you say about cooked ones makes me rethink it (I’ve meant for ages to try it with another fruit). Will see if there are still plums here at the farmers market, I may have missed the boat!
Oh Gabrielle, Kate's Little Library work will be right up your alley! She goes into children's books and novels of all kinds to pluck out food references. Start with the first one, I have that too. I still have to read her novel.
I don't love plums fresh as much, but once they are cooked I think they are the perfect fruit in a dessert because they are sweet and tart at the same time!
It’s funny, I followed her for years because her project seemed so perfect so I don’t know how I missed getting the actual books. Have put them both on my Christmas list! Thanks Emiko for all your posting about inspiring things and great reads, as well as delicious recipes.
Years ago a grocery store outside of Boston had an out two weeks had what they called “Plum-o-Rama.” My friend Liz and I still use that term.
I love that!
Cara Emiko, una ricette deliziosa, come sempre. Grazie di cuore! You did not mention it and may not know about it but there was actually an English mini-series (6 episodes) called "The Cazalets" from 2001. It was a BBC production here in Europe and with PBS in the States, I believe. The brilliant actors such as Hugh Bonneville and Leslie Manville were in it, but frankly I do not remember how it was and it is possible that I still have the DVD, especially now that you have mentioned the Elizabeth Jane Howard books which I enjoyed. I have just purchased your new cookbook "Gohan" for myself and a dear friend who just returned from Japan, and I am very excited about reading it and making the dishes as I have for your other cookbooks. Grazie ancora, e buonissima giornata. Ciao con un abbraccio dal Chianti.
Grazie Olga! I read about that series when I was looking up the book and it sounds like it's worth watching! Thank you so much for your kind words. x
I’ve just gone down a rabbit hole reading Adam Federman’s new biography of Patience Gray, Fasting and Feasting, which tells her complicated life story. I bought 3 of her cookbooks after deep searches, Honey From a Weed, is a big, beautiful book. Written over the span of 20 years, it’s poetic and full of both feasting and hunger. It’s the definition of a cult classic, but few people outside of that cult have even heard about the fascinating woman who wrote it, who would have turned 100 this year. You must look it all up. Puglia foraging in depth! So wonderful. Her julia Childs connection fab stories in themselves. You will love it all. Xxc
Honey from a Weed is my absolute favourite food book! I have quoted her often in my books, especially Tortellini at Midnight and have been in touch with her son when I've been in Puglia -- he lives in her old home there. Here's a post I wrote about her from 2018: https://www.emikodavies.com/honey-from-a-weed-the-world-of-patience-gray/
I bought your T@M and honey and both arrived same day. As I am reading your reference to it on page 65 I’m laughing to myself! Of course you would know it!! I just bought a little house in Ortelle near Castro for 40k and it needs total restoration but such fun to dream about from Wyoming! One day we will meet there. 😘😘🙏
I swear when I read your writing, you inspire me to cook again. Love Kate’s work, including the new novel, and absolutely need to read Still Life, I can’t believe I haven’t.
Thank you Camilla! Oh you must read Still Life especially before going to Florence!
On my to buy list asap!
Speaking of books. I’m having trouble getting thru “Still Life” by Sarah Winman because I keep rereading all the chapters as I go. And each time it’s better and better. I was also besotted with “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante prior to sailing the Gulf of Naples with Peggy Markel. Our on board book was “The Land Where Lemons Grow” by Helen Attlee. And the references go on….Ruth Reichl has also been reminiscing about the power of place in the writings by MFK Fischer. Or David Leibovitz love affair with “ The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth” by Roy Andries de Groot. I am transported by storytelling and the power embedded in the sharing of food with friends at a table….
Oh that's funny, I'm at the last pages of the third of the Elena Ferrante books and The Land Where Lemons Grow is one of my very favourite food books, along with MFK Fischer, always on my list of books to read that I give my guests. In fact, I'm already compiling a book list for a future post! The only one I don't know is the Auberge of the Flowering Hearth, which I will look up, thanks for sharing!
Just finished Still Life. Awesome. Moving on to Ireland for no apparent reason. “This is Happiness”, Niall Williams. Spoke briefly to Peggy Markel. And began the great biscotti bake off to find a “keeper” for my Kitchen Chronicles. Any suggestions?
Just started Honey from a Weed. Thanks for the recommendation