Saturday, May 5, 2012

Weekend Cooking...with Ruth Reichl(!)


Have you read any of Ruth Reichl's books? The one that I have read the most recently is "Garlic and Sapphire's: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise." Before that, my mom had sent me "Tender at the Bone" and "Comfort Me with Apples" audio-books. I have not yet read her 2009, "Not Becoming My Mother: And Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way."

So, Ruth's mother is actually a good place to start talking about her books. Her mother loved cooking and entertaining. But, she had no concept of food safety. She would make food ahead of time, and let it sit out FOREVER. As Ruth got older, she would try to protect the guests by getting rid of certain things...it makes for hilarious reading!

This post was written as part of Weekend Cooking over at bethfishreads.com. Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to head over to Beth Fish Reads, grab the button, and link up anytime over the weekend.  (The button is on your right...)

I "knew" Ruth Reichl best as the editor of Gourmet magazine. I don't want to get started here about Gourmet, because I used to read it cover to cover as a teenager and I am still pretty sad about it no longer being in publication.

But, before that she was - among other things - the restaurant critic for the New York Times! That is mostly what this book is about. When she first started she realized that she was being recognized and treated in a special way. So, she developed these great disguises to wear so that she could get the restaurant experience of the Ordinary Person.

To me, a bigger deal than the disguises was that she went out on a limb with the newspaper by not just reviewing the big deal restaurants, but by digging up diamonds in the rough - like great places for Korean barbecue - and reporting on those! I share her affinity for discovering the little hole in the wall restaurant with great food!

Ruth's writing is fun and foody! If you have not read her books yet, you may want to check them out!

15 comments:

  1. Oh I love Ruth Reichl. I have been thinking of doing a reread of all her books via audio. You'll really appreciate Not Becoming My Mother, especially because you're already familiar with her.

    And don't get me started on Gourmet, which I read faithfully since about 1976. I *still* miss it. :(

    Great post.

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  2. what a dream job...a NY Times food critic...

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  3. I have not read any of her books but the definitely sound like something I would enjoy.

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  4. Loved all three books and really enjoyed them. Haven't read that one about her mom, thanks for the reminder!

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  5. Sounds like a fun read! Not posting this week just visiting

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  6. OK what is it about people (mostly of the older generation) who leave food sitting out for hours unrefrigerated? I don't remember that as a child, (maybe because with five kids in the family it wouldn't last that long), but now every time I go to an older person's home for a party or dinner, the leftovers are left out for hours. I hope I don't end up doing that... :)

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  7. This book has been on my wishlist for far too long. Thanks for reminding me :)

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  8. Sounds like a great read. My sister leaves food around too - gross.

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  9. I have several Ruth Reichl books on my tbr list. Good to know to they are worth it.

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  10. I DO love Ruth! I have read all of her books and always look forward to a new release :D

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  11. Those disguises sound like fun! Searching out the hole-in-the-wall restaurants is a great trait in a critic.

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  12. Sounds like a fun read. I hadn't heard of her before!

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  13. You've made me want to reread all my Ruth books -- haven't seen the latest one yet, and can't wait to get to it. Ah yes, Gourmet . . . sigh.

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  14. I want to read this one! Thanks for leaving me a link to your review on my Comfort Me With Apples post. I added your review to the list there.

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    1. Thanks! You will like this one! It is fun to go with her as she visits the various restaurants :)

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