The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters
I have always loved food. I enjoyed eating at some very fine restaurants including Alice Water's Chez Panisse. However I really knew nothing about it. More than 10 years ago I started a vegetable garden. It was slow going. I wanted to be as organic as possible. I also didn't want to fall into the trap of spending huge amounts of money to grow a small amount of produce. And I don't need a large amount of produce. Over the years I picked up broken up concrete and horse manure that were free for the taking. I build up raised beds and double dig loads of compost each year. Finally I started producing plenty of really nice veggies.
Then came the problem of what to do with them. It does seem you get a bunch of tomatoes all at once. So I had to learn how to cook. I started making spaghetti sauce and veggie soup. I was able to use lots of tomatoes and zucchinis and herbs. I dried excess fruit. I tasted fresh veggies right off the plant. Making a few simple dishes for the first time in my life was greatly appreciated by my wife. I was finally learning about the food that good into a meal and how to prepare one. This increased my already strong appreciation for eating!
I had a Fanny Farmer's cookbook and looked at many others we have here in the house. Remembering Chez Panisse and reading about Alice Water's involvement with the local food and slow food movements I bought "The Art of Simple Food."
Simple Food is a great book. Waters (can I call her Alice?, she seems friendly) had already written several books about specific foods as cooked her restaurant. This one is more general and basic. It really helped me get a feel for cooking rather than slavishly following recipes. The lack of precision is charming. I tried some simple dishes with good success. I learned a lot.
Buy this book and read it. Buy fresh local food when possible. Take the time to enjoy a leisurely meal with your family. Spending time with friends and family making and eating simple foods is among the best possible things about being human.
The Art of Simple Food read June '09 - Highly Recommended
This page written 6/30/09. Copyright (c) Carl Wohlforth 2009
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