Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant, Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone, edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler

In my favorite bookstore on Block Island, RI, there is great anticipation in finding a food book for the beach. There I picked up several! "Alone in the Kitchen..." is chosen first to read because it is a compilation of essays. It could be picked up and put down during all of our activities while on the island. A sense of accomplishment would be felt after each essay was finished.

My first crack at the book was to find out who are the contributors. Of the 26 essays, most of them are from writers ~ as in fiction, as in novels, as in stories, as in contributors. Readers may note notables such as Nora Ephron and M.F.K. Fisher. Foodies might recognize the likes of Laura Calder, Marcella Hazan, Amanda Hesser, Jeremy Jackson, and Paula Wolfert.

The premise of the book is if you are cooking or dining alone, at home or out, what you would be secretly doing and eating. As the editor writes, "This is all I really wanted -- to be let in on other people's secrets. What better place to start than in their kitchens." The editor was surprised that there had not been a book written of this nature ~ a phenomenon not yet discovered.

What revelations would be exposed? The essay that I really enjoyed was by Phoebe Nobles, aka "Spargelfrau", who amplified her romance with asparagus. I will make note of her work. Several revealed their desire for canned black beans or tin of anchovies. I expected the grilled cheese sandwich and it was there. Intriguing was the polenta made with porcini bouillon cubes, heavy cream, parmesan and white truffle oil, a friend of Hesser of course. That beats my solitary peanut butter and jelly on a paper plate.

There are a few recipes. The recipes are unnecessary and I will not be reaching for this book to practice culinaria. One worthy of making is the Yellowfin Tuna with Heirloom Tomatoes and Oil-Cured Olive and Caper Salsa by Portland contributing waiter Erin Ergenbright. I will forgo the Kipper Mash.

Who was the book was written for - other fiction writers, food writers, or for foodies? As a food fan, I was wanting to know what Anthony Bourdain would find to eat (and drink) alone. What does Jacques Pepin create when by himself. What would Alice Waters pick from her garden and eat for lunch with her own homemade vinaigrette? What did Julia prepare solo ~ possibly a whole chicken. Would Mario eat by himself ~I never imagine him to be alone. Essays by Bayless, Lidia, Ruhlman, Collichio, etc. would have all been more intriguing to me. A compilation of the masters for the masses. (Such as the collection of essays, from the "world's greatest chefs", in the book "How I Learned to Cook" edited by Kimberly Witherspoon and Peter Meehan.) This element is what "Alone in the Kitchen With and Eggplant" lacked.

This book ~ it's ok, but really, don't bother.

Five Stars, Thumbs, or what?

Ratings. I was pondering on how I would define my own rating system, or, if I should even use one at all. There is the five star sytem. There is the thumbs up or down. When you go to the hospital you are faced with the row of seven faces - "Describe your pain. Is it a smily face or a grimacing frown?" Then you can get into degrees - an A rating or a B- or, if you are reading a D+, D, or D- it is still a stinker. How about "Loved it!/Hated it!"? Too extreme. How about a "heart"? Too cutesy? Just a check? Too boring. How about a cooking thermometer? Oh, please. Twitter food book reviewer "Seal of Approval", now that IS impressive. What is a book review without a rating system?

I am in a book group with pre-school moms. We rarely have the time to sit and read for pleasure. We read in spurts, ie. naptime and when we finally settle into our own bed. So, book recommendations to us have to be trusted, quick, and to the point. We tend to be simple about our book nods - for instance:

* You have got to read this!
* I really enjoyed it.
* It's OK.
* Don't bother.

Pretty simple. You know which book to grab at the bookstore and start right away, which to add to your night stand for future reading, which to (if you have the time) borrow and return, and which to pass by because there are better reads out there.

So that's it! My rating system.

Shhh, I am reading!!

I have read all of the books listed on my blog. They were all, however, read PRE-twins. Since then I have been reading 'how to put baby to sleep' books and now that they are over two, I am reading about 'potty training'...

So, to fairly review these food books, I feel the need to read them again. This task seems daunting but I am motivated as there are so many new food books yet to be cracked. I can hardly wait to get to Block Island to find my fave book store for a new food book beach read. (Like I am going to be able to read on the beach with twins! Hello!)

So, I have a lot of work to do during naps and in the wee hours.
Shhh! I am reading!!

Thanks for following...
The Food Book Review

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