Book Chat Issue #32
The language of food
Hello reading friends and a special warm welcome to my new subscribers. I’m glad you’re here.
Last weekend I went to a local writer’s festival and listened to a lively conversation with Van Badham, author of QAnon and On: a short and shocking history of internet conspiracy cults. It was both interesting and shocking and I came away better informed, but slightly depressed about there being so many horrible people in the world.
I prefer to live in my own bookish world with my book reading friends. I know some people might accuse me of having my head in the sand, but I think it’s equally valid to protect yourself from depression by not overdosing on the grim realities of life.
Reading, gardening, walking, and listening to music are good ways to keep your mind in good working condition.
What I’ve been reading
This week’s book was a real treat.
The Language of Food was recommended by Sinù Fogarizzu who writes the food blog Dash of Prosecco. We share a love of cooking and she (rightly) thought I would enjoy this book about cookbook author Eliza Acton and her assistant Anne Kirby.
Annabel Abs has written a beautifully researched book that will delight anyone interested in cookery, but it's also the story of one woman’s desire to make her mark on the world instead of conforming to the expectation that she find herself a husband.
When faced with the choice between marrying her suitor (Mr Arnott), and writing her cookbook, Eliza tries to explain to her mother.
‘There are things I must do. Things I need to do. Things I cannot do as Mrs Arnott, but can do as Eliza Acton.’
She says her cookbook is important because the English are losing their ability to cook and to understand good food, but her mother doesn’t understand.
‘I feel as if my book of recipes has never been more needed than it is now.’
Her mother is furious and says that her book is a foolish endeavour.
Eliza replies. ‘It is not a foolish book. It is an important book that I have slaved over for months, that I love almost like a husband. Why should I give it up to spend time being measured for dresses and hats? What good is that?’
What good indeed!
Eliza’s book Modern Cookery for Private Families was published in 1845 and is still in print.
What I’ve been listening to
When I was reading The Language of Food, I was surprised to find that Eliza was actually a poet and this had a great impact on her writing. I’m the sort of person who sometimes finds poetry hard to get my head around, although I have a great affection for nonsense poems. So it was with some trepidation that I decided to dip my toes into the world of grown-up poetry.
After a bit of searching I found this wonderful poem called Little Children by Caroline Bird, read by Pádraig Ó Tuama. To be honest, I didn’t really need his long explanation of what it was all about, as it was perfectly understandable, but I did enjoy listening to his lovely Irish accent. I think this poem is very funny. Have a listen and let me know what you think.
What I’ve been cooking
Last weekend my daughter came to visit and the weather was freezing cold, so we were loath to venture out of the house to get something to eat. Hubby had made his famous spaghetti bolognaise the night before, so we had some leftover pasta but not much else.
I had a packet of laksa soup in the pantry so I added that to the spaghetti, which I figured was much the same as noodles. Luckily I had some frozen prawns in the freezer so I chucked a few of them in as well. (You could substitute leftover chicken or tofu if you didn’t have prawns.) I waited until it was piping hot and the prawns were cooked through, topped it with sliced spring onions and some coriander from my garden and hey presto, lunch was ready. It was delicious.
Well that’s all for now.
I hope you are keeping warm or enjoying summer, depending on where you live.
Warm wishes and happy reading,
Marg xxx
I’m with you, Marg! So much better sometimes to retreat to books, friends, cooking, gardening, poetry than to deal with conspiracy theorists and the like. The book “Language of Food” that you and Sinù recommend sounds like a wonderful selection that might chase away the summer (or winter!) doldrums, along with an herby dish of pasta and prawns! Yum!
I've requested this book from our ebooks state library collection and STILL have to wait!! I see I now have 5 requests which are mostly from you!