After writing about my cookbook fascination last Wednesday, this week I feel the need for further confession. Besides the book thing, I’ve also got a New York Times Dining section habit. The two kind of go hand in hand, and in fact, many of the cookbook authors I enjoy most have columns or occasional writing gigs at the newspaper. My timing, it turns out, is sadly coincidental with the recent news that one of my favorite Dining writers, Mark Bittman, has retired his fantastic column, The Minimalist. Dining section junkies across the nation are feeling a bit wistful this week, so please go easy on us.
If you aren’t a NY Times reader, you might be surprised to learn the on-line version is available completely free of charge – at least for the moment. Some of my favorite columns are found exclusively on-line, so besides saving on paper, reading electronically treats us to additional content as well. Confession #2: sitting down in front of my lap-top, morning tea in hand, I find myself drawn to the Dining section before I tackle the more sobering news of the day. Escaping for a moment focused on the simple comfort of delicious food helps bolster me for the sometimes heart-breaking reality beyond my cozy kitchen island. If you read Dining, you won’t hold these few moments of indulgence against me. You know the temptation of this remarkable food writing – quite simply, as good as it gets.
Over the years, nytimes.com has become one of my reliable, go-to places for culinary inspiration. Yes, I do love cookbooks, but the ease of searching archives and linking to related on-line information about ingredients and techniques, is simply astonishing. If I want fast results, nothing competes with a simple search on the trusty electronic device of choice – for me a plain white MacBook, not the latest model. Whatever ingredients you have on hand, whatever technique you want to try, you’ll find a recipe, possibly accompanied by a heart-warming anecdote, and all with just a few quick keystrokes invested in the home page search box.
A few of my favorite columns:
Recipes for Health, by Martha Rose Shulman – this column actually appears in the Health section, and features fantastic recipes and tips for health wise cooking with fresh fruits and vegetables. Shulman has authored many cookbooks, including a recent compilation of highlights from her NY Times series.
A Good Appetite, by Melissa Clark – this column is a pleasure to read, as much for its stories as for its simple recipes for delectable homemade food. Writing with warmth and humor, it’s clear that Clark finds joy in cooking and eating. Besides her column in the Times, you’ll find her articles in cooking magazines like Bon Appétit and Food and Wine.
The Minimalist, by Mark Bittman – starting this week look for Bittman in the Times Magazine andOpinion pages. However, check out the on-line archive of more than a decade’s worth of Minimalistcolumns and videos, all with a common thread – minimal time, minimal ingredients and minimal technique, but always fabulous food. Bittman is the author of some excellent cookbooks including theHow to Cook Everything books and his most recent bestseller, Food Matters.
Cooking with Dexter, by Pete Wells – this feature chronicles the hilarious kitchen adventures of a foodie Dad and his school age son. Anyone with young children in their lives will chuckle over the exploits of the industrious young cook and entrepreneur, Dexter.
The Temporary Vegetarian, by Elaine Louie – a column focused on vegetarian cooking, started as a limited run (hence the “temporary”), this column has continued to turn out interesting meat-less meal ideas.
Recipes for this week: you might expect a list of recipes from the Times – instead I offer you the opportunity to try your own on-line queries. These recipes are mine, though I expect some were sparked, way back when, by my favorite go-to place for culinary inspiration.
Recipe – Broccoli with Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes
Recipe – Indian Style Potatoes with Broccoli (Aloo Hari Phool Gobi)
Recipe – Café Gratitude Style Spring Rolls
