Thanks for the shout out. Now I want linguine vongole for dinner.
For those who care about such things, clams are found in the sand in shallow water. I did dive naked in Baja, but as for my prey, it was rock scallops I dove for.
I loved reading this. I liked cooking and reading and thinking about cooking far more before I had kids and had to cook at least one meal a day every day, year in and year out. I got fed up with it a long time ago and look forward to times away when I can have crackers and cheese by myself with a book. I reserve Thanksgiving as a day I actually enjoy the process of cooking. Otherwise, it’s rare.
But reading this reminded me of my 20s, when I delighted in reading MFK Fisher and the like, and experimenting with the many, many cookbooks on my shelves. Someday, I hope, I will enjoy doing it all again.
I'm just back to regular cooking and truth be told, I've found myself a tad resentful that I have to make dinner again. But then I remember how squelched I felt when I couldn't cook for myself or enjoy eating and I try to rejoice in the experience.
All I know is that my cooking language gets louder in fall and winter, when the time it takes to cook a more elaborate meal seems entirely justified as a spiritual bullwark against the darkness of the Seattle rainshadow. I'm not a terrific cook but everything is made with love :)
Ha, my husband would replace "panache" with "clumsiness" because I drop things all the time when I'm cooking. But I'm extremely flavor conscious (I think I'm a super-taster?) so my cooking is simple but yummy.
Alison, Thanks for evoking many life giving images: cooking can be transportive, portals into the past and future, ... and so much more. Thanks for spreading joy.
Chez Panisse Vegetables is the only cookbook I did NOT get rid of before moving to PT! It will always have a space in my kitchen.
Also, having just returned from 10 days in Italy (Florence and Bologna), I’m embarrassed to say that the one thing I failed to have was a spritz. 😭 Can we meet up here someday and chat over one? It was such a lovely part of the culture in Italy and I obviously need to broaden my spritz horizon.
I learn so much about Phoebe from reading your essays. I hope you are enjoying Portugal (if you are already there) or getting ready to go to Portugal (if you are not).
So excited for you to be in Portugal! There's a wonderful term when one is "journeyproud"--it describes how one's mind has already left one's body and embarked on the trip. It's a wonderful state of being. Chez Panisse veggies so remind me of my childhood.
Thanks for the shout out. Now I want linguine vongole for dinner.
For those who care about such things, clams are found in the sand in shallow water. I did dive naked in Baja, but as for my prey, it was rock scallops I dove for.
Thanks for the clarification. I was carried away by shellfish bliss. I will correct it.
Beautiful. I just had spaghetti allergy vongole - with bottarga (!) last night. I like your wake up routine!
I wrote “alle vongole” and English autocorrect changed to “allergy vongole”. Buongiorno! 😂
I loved reading this. I liked cooking and reading and thinking about cooking far more before I had kids and had to cook at least one meal a day every day, year in and year out. I got fed up with it a long time ago and look forward to times away when I can have crackers and cheese by myself with a book. I reserve Thanksgiving as a day I actually enjoy the process of cooking. Otherwise, it’s rare.
But reading this reminded me of my 20s, when I delighted in reading MFK Fisher and the like, and experimenting with the many, many cookbooks on my shelves. Someday, I hope, I will enjoy doing it all again.
I'm just back to regular cooking and truth be told, I've found myself a tad resentful that I have to make dinner again. But then I remember how squelched I felt when I couldn't cook for myself or enjoy eating and I try to rejoice in the experience.
That is a good reminder to me to appreciate it!
All I know is that my cooking language gets louder in fall and winter, when the time it takes to cook a more elaborate meal seems entirely justified as a spiritual bullwark against the darkness of the Seattle rainshadow. I'm not a terrific cook but everything is made with love :)
I bet everything you make is also infused with panache.
Ha, my husband would replace "panache" with "clumsiness" because I drop things all the time when I'm cooking. But I'm extremely flavor conscious (I think I'm a super-taster?) so my cooking is simple but yummy.
Alison, Thanks for evoking many life giving images: cooking can be transportive, portals into the past and future, ... and so much more. Thanks for spreading joy.
Dave S
Thanks, Dave. Let’s catch up when I’m back in Seattle. Would love to hear how you’re doing.
Chez Panisse Vegetables is the only cookbook I did NOT get rid of before moving to PT! It will always have a space in my kitchen.
Also, having just returned from 10 days in Italy (Florence and Bologna), I’m embarrassed to say that the one thing I failed to have was a spritz. 😭 Can we meet up here someday and chat over one? It was such a lovely part of the culture in Italy and I obviously need to broaden my spritz horizon.
Messaging you. I think I'll be in Lourinha on Thursday.
I learn so much about Phoebe from reading your essays. I hope you are enjoying Portugal (if you are already there) or getting ready to go to Portugal (if you are not).
I am currently overpacking for Portugal lol.
So excited for you to be in Portugal! There's a wonderful term when one is "journeyproud"--it describes how one's mind has already left one's body and embarked on the trip. It's a wonderful state of being. Chez Panisse veggies so remind me of my childhood.
Journeyproud! Journeyhappy!
Have a fantastic trip and drink as much as you want 😜
We just had pizza before the Northern Lights. I’ll have to whip up something better tonight :)
lol! No pressure.
Homemade tortillas are involved 🤩
Yum!
Your Friday night sounds delightful! We also love a good spritz, and your photo of the aurora is lovely.
Thank you! It was indeed memorable. Hoping for another spectacular sky show tonight.
I wish my insomnia was something useful or fun like that, instead it's like "let's review every mistake you've made since age 12"
lol. Judging from where you are right now, I think you are doing quite well. Rest easy!
Yes, thanks so much for the call out! And great piece.