On learning perspective … Make jambalaya for New Year’s Eve … Or rum punch! … Plus a look back at our favorite books and movies in case you missed them or forgot about them! And great links …
Happy New Year! As others have commented, I,too, love your recommendations on movies and books. Did I see a comment, re: your favorite pepper mill? I’ve looked and looked but can’t find it! Maybe I’m mistaken.
Two great foundational dishes , red beans and rice and jambalaya ,cooked to within an inch of its life and mouth wateringly reviewed. Thanks for that! Thank you both for the visits throughout the year. I love and admire your taste in books, movies and of course food. So grateful for such good friends!
Just seeing that punch bowl feels so festive! Longtime blog / newsletter reader here to thank you (both) for all the wonderful stories, recipes and recs. Just knowing there are so many of us who are out there reading, making and supporting the arts makes me feel a tiny bit more hopeful. Had a good chuckle with the Sandwiches We Don't Make Any More link -- Coronation Salad is on repeat in our household as the inevitable Part Deux to a roasted chicken! Happy New Year!
Loved the entire newsletter but particularly the link to sandwiches we no longer eat. As a native born North Carolinian I've eaten many banana and mayo and peanut butter and mayo sandwiches.
Surely you've eaten pickles and mayo sandwiches. My mom had 8 kids, all accompanied by PM sandwiches. Also, tell the eggless vegan mayo people that the Mandarin word for "don't have" is "meiyou".
I don't remember pickles and mayo but we did also have potato chips and mayo!! That was a saturday night treat - our parents fed us well so not to worry we were starved :)
Yes very powerful. But what did you think of the weird encounter at the end? We both questioned whether it happened or if he was embellishing for dramatic effect.
Loved your story about The Beatles. I tend to react more like Paul, but hopefully I’ll evolve (even at 61) to be a bit more like John…We just saw A Complete Unknown today. We loved it too. I remember learning the lyrics to Blowin in the Wind at day camp in Cincinnati as a really little kid (I too was born in Ohio).
Thanks for another year of your newsletter! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year to you and Ann. Looking forward to receiving your “Best of” email.
I also remember milk being delivered in cans to be placed in refrigerator with giant ice pieces. For now, I am dealing with a fat rat eating my parsley and tiny salads. Arrogant
I also like that latke technique. Confession: unless I’m cooking for a group I usually “cook with the phone” for latkes. There are so many good places to get them in New York and the oil smell lingers in my tiny kitchen for days. My latest favorite is Russ and Daughters.
Apparently, some manufacturers use soy-based wire covering for environmental reasons. Rats apparently like to sharpen their teeth on the coating. One of my friends in Washington, D.C. recounted the story of several neighborhood cars being disabled by rats.
Thank you Michael and Ann, even if I don't always agree with your suggestions! (I liked Anora better than A Complete Unknown, although yes they're very different.)The jambalaya sounds like a keeper though. Also, may I recommend another old-timey Joan Nathan heartstopper, Kasha Varnishkes, with bowties (actually DeCecco farfalle), onions and mushrooms, all *sauteed* in chicken fat (about which you know much, Michael!) Here's to an unexpectedly good 2025, a little less chartreuse ,and maybe even a new Laura Lippmann mystery! A very happy and healthy new year to you and yours!
Thanks again Michael and Ann for your top of the line recommendations of both food, lit, and film. I especially want to see Victor Erice, "Close Your Eyes." We loved his "Spirit of the Beehive," as my wife's grandfather was part of the Spanish Civil War, Republican side, of course, and will speak with her cousins from Mallorca on New Years Day. Also, sorry for your automobile issues, but you have looked upon them,as Monty Python's Circus would say, "the sunny side of life." The New Year begins on Wednesday, and the the next two days are your expression used above: WTF. Happy New Year.
I can totally relate...a Friday night drive home after work - the dreaded check engine light came on. I was quoted $1200 for repairs! 😣 I go to pick it up and the guy says I know it sucks $2200 for repairs...I said oh hell no! You said $1200! He looks at the screen and says oh right, sorry I looked at the wrong one it’s $1200. I said Are you trying to trick me into feeling better about the cost? He said no I’m sorry I really did read it wrong..then says..Merry Christmas. 🤦🏻♀️
In any event, “F@#% me,” still does workable duty for day-to-day disheartenment. I find it falling from my lips often; some might say too frequently. Oh well.
Are you or your wife from RI ? I see you were in Providence for the Holidays .. I grew up there and next time you are there you must stop and see my cousin John Bordeiri - head chef at Iggy’s Boardwalk ! Happy Holidays ! Kerri
Happy New Year! As others have commented, I,too, love your recommendations on movies and books. Did I see a comment, re: your favorite pepper mill? I’ve looked and looked but can’t find it! Maybe I’m mistaken.
Thank you! And that was on instagram. I'll look for a video I did at thankgiving and put it up. Sur la Table crank grinder.
Two great foundational dishes , red beans and rice and jambalaya ,cooked to within an inch of its life and mouth wateringly reviewed. Thanks for that! Thank you both for the visits throughout the year. I love and admire your taste in books, movies and of course food. So grateful for such good friends!
Feeling's mutual, dear Pat!
Did you pronounce that fatsignsharppercent?
Padre Pio often said "Pray, hope, don't worry." So I hear.
As for the Beatles, that story is just another reason to celebrate Feb 4. Gratefully. That and the 2018 Super Bowl.
Just seeing that punch bowl feels so festive! Longtime blog / newsletter reader here to thank you (both) for all the wonderful stories, recipes and recs. Just knowing there are so many of us who are out there reading, making and supporting the arts makes me feel a tiny bit more hopeful. Had a good chuckle with the Sandwiches We Don't Make Any More link -- Coronation Salad is on repeat in our household as the inevitable Part Deux to a roasted chicken! Happy New Year!
Loved the entire newsletter but particularly the link to sandwiches we no longer eat. As a native born North Carolinian I've eaten many banana and mayo and peanut butter and mayo sandwiches.
Surely you've eaten pickles and mayo sandwiches. My mom had 8 kids, all accompanied by PM sandwiches. Also, tell the eggless vegan mayo people that the Mandarin word for "don't have" is "meiyou".
I don't remember pickles and mayo but we did also have potato chips and mayo!! That was a saturday night treat - our parents fed us well so not to worry we were starved :)
Live a little! Have a peanut butter, banana,pickle, and potato chip sandwich.
Might try it myself.
The Esquire piece on being homeless really knocked me out. Thanks for including that.
Yes very powerful. But what did you think of the weird encounter at the end? We both questioned whether it happened or if he was embellishing for dramatic effect.
I found the ending quite abrupt, as did my husband. I guess the “ weird encounter “ didn’t bother us, because neither of us can recall it! 😂
Loved your story about The Beatles. I tend to react more like Paul, but hopefully I’ll evolve (even at 61) to be a bit more like John…We just saw A Complete Unknown today. We loved it too. I remember learning the lyrics to Blowin in the Wind at day camp in Cincinnati as a really little kid (I too was born in Ohio).
Thanks for another year of your newsletter! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year to you and Ann. Looking forward to receiving your “Best of” email.
You should have received the best of emails. Lmk if you did not!
I didn’t, I’ll send you an email, thanks!
I also remember milk being delivered in cans to be placed in refrigerator with giant ice pieces. For now, I am dealing with a fat rat eating my parsley and tiny salads. Arrogant
I believe it was a rugby team's plane that crashed in the Andes, not a soccer team.
thanks for the correction!
I also like that latke technique. Confession: unless I’m cooking for a group I usually “cook with the phone” for latkes. There are so many good places to get them in New York and the oil smell lingers in my tiny kitchen for days. My latest favorite is Russ and Daughters.
Apparently, some manufacturers use soy-based wire covering for environmental reasons. Rats apparently like to sharpen their teeth on the coating. One of my friends in Washington, D.C. recounted the story of several neighborhood cars being disabled by rats.
Thank you Michael and Ann, even if I don't always agree with your suggestions! (I liked Anora better than A Complete Unknown, although yes they're very different.)The jambalaya sounds like a keeper though. Also, may I recommend another old-timey Joan Nathan heartstopper, Kasha Varnishkes, with bowties (actually DeCecco farfalle), onions and mushrooms, all *sauteed* in chicken fat (about which you know much, Michael!) Here's to an unexpectedly good 2025, a little less chartreuse ,and maybe even a new Laura Lippmann mystery! A very happy and healthy new year to you and yours!
I LOVE kasha varnishkes. My grandmother used to make it for me. I think she actually used olive oil or vegetable oil, not schmaltz.
Ty Alice!
Thanks again Michael and Ann for your top of the line recommendations of both food, lit, and film. I especially want to see Victor Erice, "Close Your Eyes." We loved his "Spirit of the Beehive," as my wife's grandfather was part of the Spanish Civil War, Republican side, of course, and will speak with her cousins from Mallorca on New Years Day. Also, sorry for your automobile issues, but you have looked upon them,as Monty Python's Circus would say, "the sunny side of life." The New Year begins on Wednesday, and the the next two days are your expression used above: WTF. Happy New Year.
I can totally relate...a Friday night drive home after work - the dreaded check engine light came on. I was quoted $1200 for repairs! 😣 I go to pick it up and the guy says I know it sucks $2200 for repairs...I said oh hell no! You said $1200! He looks at the screen and says oh right, sorry I looked at the wrong one it’s $1200. I said Are you trying to trick me into feeling better about the cost? He said no I’m sorry I really did read it wrong..then says..Merry Christmas. 🤦🏻♀️
😂
In any event, “F@#% me,” still does workable duty for day-to-day disheartenment. I find it falling from my lips often; some might say too frequently. Oh well.
Michael ,
Are you or your wife from RI ? I see you were in Providence for the Holidays .. I grew up there and next time you are there you must stop and see my cousin John Bordeiri - head chef at Iggy’s Boardwalk ! Happy Holidays ! Kerri
This household loves Iggys! Sam and Catherine were there before Xmas!