A little something I wrote.

I wrote this the day after my beloved eldest cat died. People who know me know that I pretty much have to work the people I love into everything I write, which makes for some odd perspectives on things sometimes.

So many things to comment on! I know I can't possibly answer everyone's questions, but:

1) Vegetarian food in MtAoFC is pretty thin on the ground, especially if you're eschewing dairy. But I believe the ratatouille is, and it's fantastic. And then there's always my beloved baked cucumbers.

2) Ron P - I'm horrified that the Delta Sky pieces talks about pork at Salute - that's horrific, and definitely not something I wrote. I need to get the piece as printed. Thanks for pointing it out.

New Post: Because Someone Had A Good Idea

So, indeed: What IS your favorite MtAoFC recipe? Or Julia recipe in general? I've been asked this question so many times I want to split my head open, so I now turn it over to you guys... Whaddaya think?

(Also? Read "Inherent Vice." It's very good. I think this Pynchon kid's goin' places....)

A couple of things

Hi, guys - thanks for all the love! (And to those delivering something other than love, sorry 'bout that....)

I'm currently a little overwhelmed trying to plow through all these comments, but I wanted to address two things.

1. A lot of people have been asking whether it's true that Julia Child wasn't a big fan of Julie Powell, and whether she and I really didn't meet. Both of those things are true - Julia, I think, from what I gather, was less irritated than simply uninterested. Which, when I first found out, was of course devastating. But the thing about Julia, to me, was that she was a real person - a great 6-foot-2 force of nature, with tremendous gifts, nearly limitless energy and generosity, firm opinions, and even a few flaws. That's what I love about her - she inspired because she was a woman, not a saint. Not to say that her not loving my blog was a flaw. I just mean that the fact that she might not for whatever reason adore me as much as I adore her has absolutely no bearing on what is wonderful about her. Throughout her life, Julia nurtured and encouraged and gave great help to chefs and writers both. And she changed my life. No matter what she - or anyone else, for that matter - thought of the project. I know why I did what I did, and I am proud that I spent a year writing and cooking in tribute to one the most wonderful women I've ever not met.

2. Er, I probably should have mentioned this for, but for those of you who've not bought the book yet and are meaning to: I really ought to warn you about the language. I happen to believe that curse words are vital parts of the language, and I write accordingly. If you are not one of those people, you're probably not going to be thrilled with J&J: The Book! Also, yeah, I bash on Republicans a lot. It's nothing personal - some of my dearest friends... well, no, but dearest relatives - are Republican. I just am terrified of everything you stand for, is all. There I go, being glib. It's something I do a lot. Which you'll also find in the book.

Okay, that's all for now. Thanks again, everyone, for all the well wishes!

UPDATE: Just to clarify: I don't bash all Republicans - though I am, truly, frightened by the Republican Party Platform itself, and therefore reserve the right to disagree violently with the opinions of those who vote for it. Who I bash, in the book, specifically, are those Republicans holding elected office and doing what they do there. One particular Republican, if I remember correctly, comes under considerable fire.

I have friends who are Republicans, I have them to dinner, I drink with them, I curse with (rather than at) them. I think everyone should get to vote for who they want. I just don't particularly want the ones currently available for the job running my country.

That is all on the subject. More to come, when I feel like it.

Today's the Day!

That's right.... it's what we've all been waiting for..... The Opening of G.I. Joe! Who's psyched?!!!

Kidding. Yeah, J&J opens today. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to celebrate. Last night I made Julia's Coq au Vin for the first time in, honestly, years. It was fantastic, and purple (Eric's comment - "That whole year just sticks out in my mind as so... purple"), and we ate at 11 at night. It was very Project. Today, no cooking. And no watching J&J - I've seen it six times by now, and at this point, sweet as it is, it's like beating my head against a board. Dinner out, I think. Prune, perhaps? On a Friday night, I don't much like my chances, maybe I can pull a "Do you know who I am?" deal. But probably not.

I love this

So, last night I went to a screening where I expected to get beaten up by Judith Jones and/or Ruth Reichl, but instead had incredibly kind words spoken to me by Sara Moulton. And today, a journalist has come rallying to my defense here.

It's so sweet - I love it! But little does Jennie know, I have been successful at almost completely ignoring the haters. I haven't googled myself in weeks, I tell you, WEEKS!

... And, thanks to Aunt Ruthie...

... I have the Nightline clip. It was about 100 degrees in there, which is why all my make-up melted off and I look distressingly like myself, and there's a bit of a spoiler in there about the new book, but it could be worse. Lots of good Julia clips!

My debut in The Atlantic... kinda/sorta

At the NYC premiere, Atlantic food editor Corby Kummer, who is an amazing writer and all-around lovely man, took time out from hanging out with his way-cooler-than-me friends to nag me (sweetly) about writing a piece for the magazine's food blog. And at last I did - you can see it here.

I'm also trying to dig up a link to the piece on Nightline last night, which I've not seen, because apparently it's impossible to get network television without cable in Queens, NY. As soon as I find it, it'll be up here....

Possibly the single best thing to have come out of this whole crazy thing:

(Photo by Ken Lambert of the Seattle Times....)