Will write soon with a round-up of Little, Brown's preview - which I'm heading off to now - and this week's Dining section.
Happy Halloween to all!
10.31.2007
Abrams Rules!
Unfortunately, I'm enormously pressed for time so I can't write anything, except to share how excited I am that I got this in the mail yesterday:
10.25.2007
WHAT I'M COOKING: This Week's Menu
Well, I’d like to tell you all that, since the co-parent is home now, my menu is going to get more sophisticated and fancy-schmancy. But I can’t. Because like all families, particularly those with two parents working outside the home, I don’t have the time right now for anything challenging and fresh. What I do have time for, though, is hanging out with friends, enjoying Halloween with my family, and celebrating all the wonderfully warm flavors of autumn. And in the immortal words (or word, as is the case here) of that silly credit card company, the perfect way to sum that up is: priceless.
TONIGHT: We had no plans at all. So the kiddo got warmed up mac and cheese – the leftovers from our fatherless days. But I don’t just microwave it. Oh, no, not me. In fact, our “mikey” got donated with our move to NYC - no microwave in our house. I warmed it over the stove with some butter, half-and-half, and pecorino sprinkled in to give it a fresh flavor. With fresh-ground pepper, of course. The kiddo loved it and ate an apple with it. Adam will be home soon and he’s bringing fennel, portabellas, and monkfish for “adult dinner”. I’m going to roast the fennel with olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan. Then I’ll make a balsamic butter sauce to put over the grilled monkfish and mushrooms. Simple, elegant, and adults-only. Purrrrrrfect!
FRIDAY NIGHT: We are having some friends over at the last minute for a casual dinner. So I’m doing make-your-own pizzas. Adam will stop by the Chelsea Market on his way home tomorrow and pick up pizza dough, olives, pepperoni, basil, buffalo mozzarella (of course! Once you have buffalo, you can’t go back), roasted peppers, mushrooms, salame, and proscuitto. I have canned fire-roasted tomatoes I’ll use for a sauce. Presto! Instant fabulous dinner! And my friend apparently makes cinnamon fudge and she’s bringing some. I have NO doubt that I will swoon with the heavenliness of it all.
SATURDAY: We have a Halloween party at the kiddo’s school from 6-8 so we have to do a quickie meal. Which always translates to breakfast for me. I’m making poached local eggs, roasted local fingerling potatoes, grilled bread, and bacon. When time is short, go back to the basics, n’est-ce pas?
SUNDAY: Yay autumn! I’m doing Baked Goat Cheese and Roasted Winter Squash over Garlicky Fettuccine, courtesy of Cooking Light mag. I assure you, nothing about this meal tastes low in fat. The flavors will knock you off your feet. Yep, it’s that good. And can you think of another meal that captures autumnal flavors as well as this one? If you can, then I INSIST you send me the recipe. Otherwise, shhhhhh!
MONDAY: I’m bringing a breakfast-y dinner to the table again: Chestnut Pancakes with Bacon and Crème Fraîche, courtesy of Bon Appetit. The kiddo will put syrup over them, as will Adam
too, but I like to sprinkle chives over it and call it good. I’ve only made it once before this, and I’m looking forward to giving it another go.
Anyone want to come over to join us? All we ask of our guests is a bottle of wine. If you knock on our door with a sangiovese in hand, you’re golden.
TONIGHT: We had no plans at all. So the kiddo got warmed up mac and cheese – the leftovers from our fatherless days. But I don’t just microwave it. Oh, no, not me. In fact, our “mikey” got donated with our move to NYC - no microwave in our house. I warmed it over the stove with some butter, half-and-half, and pecorino sprinkled in to give it a fresh flavor. With fresh-ground pepper, of course. The kiddo loved it and ate an apple with it. Adam will be home soon and he’s bringing fennel, portabellas, and monkfish for “adult dinner”. I’m going to roast the fennel with olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan. Then I’ll make a balsamic butter sauce to put over the grilled monkfish and mushrooms. Simple, elegant, and adults-only. Purrrrrrfect!
FRIDAY NIGHT: We are having some friends over at the last minute for a casual dinner. So I’m doing make-your-own pizzas. Adam will stop by the Chelsea Market on his way home tomorrow and pick up pizza dough, olives, pepperoni, basil, buffalo mozzarella (of course! Once you have buffalo, you can’t go back), roasted peppers, mushrooms, salame, and proscuitto. I have canned fire-roasted tomatoes I’ll use for a sauce. Presto! Instant fabulous dinner! And my friend apparently makes cinnamon fudge and she’s bringing some. I have NO doubt that I will swoon with the heavenliness of it all.
SATURDAY: We have a Halloween party at the kiddo’s school from 6-8 so we have to do a quickie meal. Which always translates to breakfast for me. I’m making poached local eggs, roasted local fingerling potatoes, grilled bread, and bacon. When time is short, go back to the basics, n’est-ce pas?
SUNDAY: Yay autumn! I’m doing Baked Goat Cheese and Roasted Winter Squash over Garlicky Fettuccine, courtesy of Cooking Light mag. I assure you, nothing about this meal tastes low in fat. The flavors will knock you off your feet. Yep, it’s that good. And can you think of another meal that captures autumnal flavors as well as this one? If you can, then I INSIST you send me the recipe. Otherwise, shhhhhh!
MONDAY: I’m bringing a breakfast-y dinner to the table again: Chestnut Pancakes with Bacon and Crème Fraîche, courtesy of Bon Appetit. The kiddo will put syrup over them, as will Adam
too, but I like to sprinkle chives over it and call it good. I’ve only made it once before this, and I’m looking forward to giving it another go.Anyone want to come over to join us? All we ask of our guests is a bottle of wine. If you knock on our door with a sangiovese in hand, you’re golden.
Drug-Dealing Children's Librarians and Sinister Wednesdays in Brooklyn
This comes courtesy of my American Libraries Direct email: “A Vision of Students Today," created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University. This was truly brilliant and, even though it’s centered around the college experience, it absolutely has relevance to modern-day elementary and high school education. Everything has to change.
This is also courtesy of my American Libraries Direct email. It’s a short preview for the new series, The Librarians, in Australia. Check out the children’s librarian! LOVE IT! I’d look like that too if my bra size was bigger. I’m just so giddy that someone finally realized that libraries are a comedic gold mine. The series debuts on October 31st and apparently you can download shows from the ABC website (unless you somehow subscribe to Australian TV).
Also, Your Neighborhood Librarian reviewed What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins. I have to admit that I see her point. This was not my initial impression of the book. My first impression was that the book was, indeed, about “happy, hip parents escorting their, hm, 4 year old? daughter through their adorable Brooklyn neighborhood.” I didn’t see the sinister side of it until YNL pointed it out. Wow. I don’t think I’ll be able to look at that book the same way again. Which isn’t a bad thing. That’s why I’m such a blog-whore: I enjoy getting a fresh perspective on the books I’ve read. And for the record, YNL, there’s no way they can afford Brooklyn Heights. Yeah, Carroll Gardens. Or Bed-Stuy. Also, for the record, I do buy scarves still. I buy them from “the crafty neo-post-feminist” selling them in Columbus Circle around the holidays.
Last but not least, I have to direct you to this post on Sarah Miller’s blog. She did a visit to a school classroom, and it just sounds like it was the most wonderful experience. And as I said to Sarah, it is stories like this that renew my faith in the state of the world. As clichéd as it sounds, literature and reading do have the power to enact change and inspire children. It’s our job, as librarians, authors, teachers, and parents, to help children make that meaningful connection. (To put an even bigger smile on your face, check out the comments in response to Sarah's blog posts. The kids from the class posted on her blog to thank her for visiting!)
10.22.2007
HarperCollins Spring 2008 Preview
It’s that time of year! Publisher events galore! Autumn is like Christmas for us book loving people! I went to the HarperCollins Spring 2008 preview last Wednesday, and I just RSVP’d for an event with Shaun Tan and a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Redwall. And I have nothing to wear to any of them. And I believe I’m one of the few librarians who actually worries about such things. Don’t believe me? Check out the fashion at an ALA conference. I rest my case.
So…the HarperCollins preview. First off, it was the first publisher event I’ve been to since I started this job where I felt completely comfortable. I don’t feel like the new person anymore who knows no one or nothing. Instead, I got to single-cheek-kiss Michael Santangelo and have Kate McClelland tell me how beautiful I am (*blush*). I got to congratulate Patty Rosati on her new baby and talk about the cover of Melissa Marr’s next book with Anne Hoppe. Needless to say, I exhaled a huge sigh of relief.
So what goodies did I see? So many, soooooo many. This is going to be a long post.
1. The next Septimus Heap book, Queste. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cover but, nevertheless, this is going to make lots of kids (and librarians) happy come April 2008.
2. Roscoe Riley Rules, a new intermediate series by Katherine Applegate, promoted as “Junie B. Jones for boys”. We’re always in need of more “boy books” so I’m thrilled with this one. (June 2008)
3. You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton, described by Michael Stearns as Monty Python-esque. I don’t know if that’ll help its kid appeal, but I know I’m excited for it! Check out the link for an excerpt. (March 2008)
4. A new picture book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Gris Grimly: The Dangerous Alphabet. Unlike Wolves in the Walls, the editor says this will be a “true picture book”, in that it will actually be appropriate for the younger crowd. (May 2008)
5. Erin Hunter is also coming out with a new series: Seekers. The first book is The Quest Begins. It’ll be huge, of course. (June 2008)
6. I got goosebumps over the cover of the sequel to The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck: Tom Trueheart and the Land of Dark Stories. The plot sounds awesome – lots of strong female characters, per the editor – and the cover is super dark and foreboding. Chills! (June 2008)
7. Kevin Henkes has a new novel coming out: Bird Lake Moon. I don’t have a pic of the cover for you, but I thought it was a bit too subdued. Nevertheless, I expect greatness inside. (May 2008)
8. I got really excited about a debut author, Jody Feldman, and her book The Gollywhopper Games, which was described as “Encyclopedia Brown goes to Charlie’s chocolate factory.” Ooooh, intriguing! I have the galley and can't wait to read it. (February 2008)
9. The pièce de resistance! Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly! I’m such a Fancy Nancy geek and this one does not disappoint. It’s trés magnifique! That’s a fancy way of saying it’s wonderful. (February 2008)
10. And I’m just at the tip of the iceberg! I didn’t talk about Gail Carson Levine’s
Ever, the Kanns’ Purplicious (sequel to Pinkalicious), Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis, or Laurence Yep’s Dragon’s Child. Not to mention an adorable picture book called Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Lee Harper. Keep your eyes open because you will no doubt see Woolbur with face-out placement on B&N’s ubiquitous wall o’ picture books.
Phew! I’m exhausted. I still didn’t tell you about everything, but I think this is enough for now.
So…the HarperCollins preview. First off, it was the first publisher event I’ve been to since I started this job where I felt completely comfortable. I don’t feel like the new person anymore who knows no one or nothing. Instead, I got to single-cheek-kiss Michael Santangelo and have Kate McClelland tell me how beautiful I am (*blush*). I got to congratulate Patty Rosati on her new baby and talk about the cover of Melissa Marr’s next book with Anne Hoppe. Needless to say, I exhaled a huge sigh of relief.
So what goodies did I see? So many, soooooo many. This is going to be a long post.
1. The next Septimus Heap book, Queste. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cover but, nevertheless, this is going to make lots of kids (and librarians) happy come April 2008.
2. Roscoe Riley Rules, a new intermediate series by Katherine Applegate, promoted as “Junie B. Jones for boys”. We’re always in need of more “boy books” so I’m thrilled with this one. (June 2008)
3. You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum! by Andy Stanton, described by Michael Stearns as Monty Python-esque. I don’t know if that’ll help its kid appeal, but I know I’m excited for it! Check out the link for an excerpt. (March 2008)
4. A new picture book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Gris Grimly: The Dangerous Alphabet. Unlike Wolves in the Walls, the editor says this will be a “true picture book”, in that it will actually be appropriate for the younger crowd. (May 2008)
5. Erin Hunter is also coming out with a new series: Seekers. The first book is The Quest Begins. It’ll be huge, of course. (June 2008)
6. I got goosebumps over the cover of the sequel to The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck: Tom Trueheart and the Land of Dark Stories. The plot sounds awesome – lots of strong female characters, per the editor – and the cover is super dark and foreboding. Chills! (June 2008)
7. Kevin Henkes has a new novel coming out: Bird Lake Moon. I don’t have a pic of the cover for you, but I thought it was a bit too subdued. Nevertheless, I expect greatness inside. (May 2008)
8. I got really excited about a debut author, Jody Feldman, and her book The Gollywhopper Games, which was described as “Encyclopedia Brown goes to Charlie’s chocolate factory.” Ooooh, intriguing! I have the galley and can't wait to read it. (February 2008)
9. The pièce de resistance! Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly! I’m such a Fancy Nancy geek and this one does not disappoint. It’s trés magnifique! That’s a fancy way of saying it’s wonderful. (February 2008)10. And I’m just at the tip of the iceberg! I didn’t talk about Gail Carson Levine’s
Ever, the Kanns’ Purplicious (sequel to Pinkalicious), Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis, or Laurence Yep’s Dragon’s Child. Not to mention an adorable picture book called Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Lee Harper. Keep your eyes open because you will no doubt see Woolbur with face-out placement on B&N’s ubiquitous wall o’ picture books.Phew! I’m exhausted. I still didn’t tell you about everything, but I think this is enough for now.
Note: A big thank you to HarperCollins for all these links and photos!
10.20.2007
This Week's Menu
So I’m a single parent for 6 days while the husband is in Seattle, soaking up all that Pacific Northwest beauty. Though he’d argue that he’s not soaking up anything since he is on a business trip. Whatever. All I know is that he has temporarily broken free of the routine and I’m in it up to my eyeballs.
So what’s the point? Well, a little self-congratulations, of course! Despite all the insanity that comes with single-handedly running a household consisting of myself and a 6-year-old spirited child, I have to say that I whipped up a pretty good menu for the week:
LAST NIGHT, FRIDAY: It was “Kid Dinner Night.” So she got Annie’s Homegrown mac and cheese, while I made myself pumpkin ravioli with brown butter, sage, pine nuts, and parmesan. As a little extra finish, I lightly grated bittersweet chocolate over it. It may sound strange, but I assure that this gives the meal that little extra thing. You know, the thing.
TONIGHT: ABC sandwiches and fingerling potatoes. What are ABC sandwiches? Apple, bacon, and cheddar. Put it on rye or wheat bread with some Dijon. Dang! Simple, healthy, and really dee-lish. I just boiled the fingerlings then drizzled my brand-new awesome olive oil over them with some salt and pepper.
TOMORROW NIGHT: Yukon Gold potatoes with Gorgonzola and Pancetta. This is a new recipe so we’ll see how it goes. How can I go wrong with gorgonzola and pancetta, right? Then I’ll grill some shrimp for the kiddo and I’m grilling myself filet mignon, rare, of course.
MONDAY: Grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade applesauce. Last weekend we went apple-picking upstate so I’ve got apples coming out my ears. Hence, the applesauce. And I ain’t making no ordinary grilled cheese, oh no. Brie and proscuitto are going on mine.
TUESDAY: We’re doing antipasti. I know, this is my “lazy” meal. I’ve got sopressata and Serrano ham for the meat. For the cheese, I have a Ossau Iraty Paradou, Tome Fermier d’Alsace, and a local triple cream goat cheese. If you have access to Fresh Direct, you can try these cheeses yourself. The creamy goat cheese is going to pair well with the slightly salty Ossau Iraty. I have some really buttery crackers that cost a small fortune…but it doesn’t matter because they’re amazing. And lastly, I’ll do some roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, and olives. It’ll be super good and super easy.
Lastly, this is sort of related. Have you heard about this whole bike thing in France? Vélib? Apparently it’s really popular in other European cities. I love it. Again, it makes me suspect that I could be very happy living in Europe. I don’t know, though. Clearly I have a romanticized view of it all. It’s probably just like New York. Where you ride your bike around, risking life and limb, getting honked at, flipping people off, and lots of swearing in multiple languages. Right? But it’s still a nice idea…
So what’s the point? Well, a little self-congratulations, of course! Despite all the insanity that comes with single-handedly running a household consisting of myself and a 6-year-old spirited child, I have to say that I whipped up a pretty good menu for the week:
LAST NIGHT, FRIDAY: It was “Kid Dinner Night.” So she got Annie’s Homegrown mac and cheese, while I made myself pumpkin ravioli with brown butter, sage, pine nuts, and parmesan. As a little extra finish, I lightly grated bittersweet chocolate over it. It may sound strange, but I assure that this gives the meal that little extra thing. You know, the thing.
TONIGHT: ABC sandwiches and fingerling potatoes. What are ABC sandwiches? Apple, bacon, and cheddar. Put it on rye or wheat bread with some Dijon. Dang! Simple, healthy, and really dee-lish. I just boiled the fingerlings then drizzled my brand-new awesome olive oil over them with some salt and pepper.
TOMORROW NIGHT: Yukon Gold potatoes with Gorgonzola and Pancetta. This is a new recipe so we’ll see how it goes. How can I go wrong with gorgonzola and pancetta, right? Then I’ll grill some shrimp for the kiddo and I’m grilling myself filet mignon, rare, of course.
MONDAY: Grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade applesauce. Last weekend we went apple-picking upstate so I’ve got apples coming out my ears. Hence, the applesauce. And I ain’t making no ordinary grilled cheese, oh no. Brie and proscuitto are going on mine.
TUESDAY: We’re doing antipasti. I know, this is my “lazy” meal. I’ve got sopressata and Serrano ham for the meat. For the cheese, I have a Ossau Iraty Paradou, Tome Fermier d’Alsace, and a local triple cream goat cheese. If you have access to Fresh Direct, you can try these cheeses yourself. The creamy goat cheese is going to pair well with the slightly salty Ossau Iraty. I have some really buttery crackers that cost a small fortune…but it doesn’t matter because they’re amazing. And lastly, I’ll do some roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, and olives. It’ll be super good and super easy.
Lastly, this is sort of related. Have you heard about this whole bike thing in France? Vélib? Apparently it’s really popular in other European cities. I love it. Again, it makes me suspect that I could be very happy living in Europe. I don’t know, though. Clearly I have a romanticized view of it all. It’s probably just like New York. Where you ride your bike around, risking life and limb, getting honked at, flipping people off, and lots of swearing in multiple languages. Right? But it’s still a nice idea…
Last Week's Dining Section Round-Up
I know my coverage of the Dining section has been spotty lately. I have no excuse. Well, other than the usual clichés: work, family, work. And I like to squeeze in the occasional “me time”. As it is, I’m multi-tasking right now, watching Sleepless in Seattle* as I type and sipping a really oaky chardonnay. And for the record, I love big oaky wines. Am I the only one left out there?
This is going to be fairly short coverage: I didn’t find too many intriguing things in this past week’s section, which also accounts for the delay. There was an article about the difficulty of getting local carrots to NYC schools, but it just made me frustrated and powerless to create any positive changes. That article combined with the drought one in today’s Times Magazine just make me want to throw in the towel.
Anyhoo, there was a sorta fun article about curing your own olives, even in NYC. I would never do that – I don’t like olives – but it’s always fun to read about others who are so passionate about food and will go through great trouble to make the good stuff.
But other than that, there really wasn’t anything else noteworthy. Seriously. Oh well. The Dining section seems to be on an every-other-week rotation so I’m hoping for BIG things this coming week.
*For the record, I haven’t watched Sleepless in Seattle in 3 years. It’s fun to see Rosie before she got all belligerent and Meg before she tried to be edgy.
This is going to be fairly short coverage: I didn’t find too many intriguing things in this past week’s section, which also accounts for the delay. There was an article about the difficulty of getting local carrots to NYC schools, but it just made me frustrated and powerless to create any positive changes. That article combined with the drought one in today’s Times Magazine just make me want to throw in the towel.
Anyhoo, there was a sorta fun article about curing your own olives, even in NYC. I would never do that – I don’t like olives – but it’s always fun to read about others who are so passionate about food and will go through great trouble to make the good stuff.
But other than that, there really wasn’t anything else noteworthy. Seriously. Oh well. The Dining section seems to be on an every-other-week rotation so I’m hoping for BIG things this coming week.
*For the record, I haven’t watched Sleepless in Seattle in 3 years. It’s fun to see Rosie before she got all belligerent and Meg before she tried to be edgy.
10.17.2007
I'll Eat You Up!
Excited for the Where the Wild Things Are movie? Yeah, me too. Educating Alice linked to an article about the movie's screenplay.
And let me tell you this: reading the article, I peed in my pants a little bit with excitement. Like a puppy.
Drooling much?
I just returned to work after a lovely morning at the HarperCollins' preview - I'll write about that later - and opened up my gmail. Saveur sent me their e-newsletter, including the recipe you'll find below. I want to leave work immediately, go home and make this - doesn't it seem like the perfect thing to sip while reading a book?
Venezuelan Chocolate–Rum DrinkSERVES 8
At the raucous late-night parties called parrandas, dancers need a pick-me-up. This one, from food author Maricel Presilla, fits the bill nicely.
1⁄2 gallon milk
3 whole star anise
2 sticks cinnamon
Zest of 1 orange
5 whole allspice berries
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1⁄2 lb. bittersweet chocolate
1 cup aged dark rum
Whipped cream
1. Combine milk, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, allspice berries and brown sugar in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat.
2. Scald milk, stirring to dissolve sugar. Lower heat and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat; steep 10 minutes. Strain into a large pot.
3. Heat gently, then add bittersweet chocolate and dark rum. Whisk briskly until chocolate dissolves, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with whipped cream.
1. Combine milk, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange zest, allspice berries and brown sugar in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat.
2. Scald milk, stirring to dissolve sugar. Lower heat and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat; steep 10 minutes. Strain into a large pot.
3. Heat gently, then add bittersweet chocolate and dark rum. Whisk briskly until chocolate dissolves, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with whipped cream.
First published in Saveur, Issue #8
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