Among the many interesting people I met, after moving to Aspen in 1988, were two well-known authors, Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Both were successful in their respective careers prior to collaborating, in 1982, as the popular and skillful husband-wife writing team, Judith Michael. “Deceptions” was their first blockbuster. In their twenty-three year career, ending with “The RealMother” in 2005, they published eleven well-received books of fiction. (And, incidentally, kept their marriage intact.)
Authors Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Nora Feller Photograph.
I decided, after enjoying their friendship and loyalty for more than a decade, that I needed to not only read every book they had written but also collect them for my library. To do that, rather than ordering via Amazon.com, tooeasy, I choose to embark on a Second-Hand Hunt. For the next several months, I haunted second-hand bookshops, thrift/goodwill stores, library sales and, antique malls. Within 15 months, I had collected all their books, many showing the wear and tear of having been lovingly read. (“The RealMother”, 2005, had not yet been written.) The total co$t – under $25.00.
I lugged all ten books to their home, triumphantly deposited them on their desks, and asked that they be autographed. Yes, most of the books had already been personally signed but I just suggested an additional inscription be added. To their credit and with good humor, they re-wrote-and-returned within the week, each book inscribed with a wonderfully special message. To this day, I display and treasure my Judith Michael collection.
So, here’s the Santa Snap – don’t discount second-hand, inexpensive books for holiday giving, hostess favors, birthday gifts, or presents of any kind. Scout out classic cookbooks for your favorite chefs. If a friend has a favorite genre, mysteries or science-fiction, perhaps, buy several written by various, well-known authors in that category. There are fabulous drawings and images in used and vintage childrens’ book, useful for enjoying or framing. Tabletop tomes are expensive but plentiful and cheap if you purchase used volumes.
Next week, as we march into 2012, I will Post favorite, must-read-books suggestions, solicited from many of my friends. It’s a forever-list of inexpensive, thoughtful gift-giving, if you go second-hand. Be creative – use “used” to your advantage to explore and discover and $ave and get personal. As a bonus, for every used-book you buy, there’s a tree who’s eternally grateful.
Check out those Chunks of “divers” Apples – Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Fugi, Granny Smith & Braeburn
It may have been Marie-Antoinette who said ‘Let them eat cake,” but it was Marie-hélène Brunet-Lhoste, a friend of Dorie’s, who first made this scrumptiously delicious Apple Cake. If Marie-Antoinette had suggested this particular cake, she’d still have her head!
Although this week’s FFWD recipe was Chard-stuffed Pork Roast (yum), my Wednesday evening Supper crowd included a guest who does not eat food produced from animals with four feet. Yeah, right!
The Apple of my Eye, just out of the oven. Link to Recipe below.
Marie-hélène’s Apple Cake has already been featured on FFWD (before I joined), receiving rave reviews. For sure, my fellow Dorista’s know a good cake when they bake it. As the younger generation says, “It’s the bomb.”
You just must bake this cake. http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/marie-helenes-apple-cake/ Its simple presentation is only surpassed by its taste. Moist. More apples, than batter. I chose five different kinds of apples, as Dorie suggested, and left them in 2-inch chunks. Don’t dismiss the 3 tablespoons of dark rum or 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Dorie gives you options but I urge you to include these ingredients. Thank goodness, dark rum doesn’t have four feet.
BUSTED. A dessert sliced before its time.
Serve this warm, with crème fraîche, (my choice), or vanilla bean ice cream. During the sugar-laden holidays, filled with fancy desserts, this cake is a “relief” treat, for friends, relatives and family. And, if leftovers are a possibility and, that is laughable, this apple cake is delicious for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up or Santa snack. Merci Beaucoup and Happy Holidays, Dorie.
A Complimentary Finale to a Corn Bread, Green Salad and Black-Bean Soup Supper.
“ Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.”
Holiday Hysteria begs for Holiday Help ? Jenna to the Rescue. Search her Site for gifties, ideas, suggestions and inspiration. Promise.
This is the week I realized that Michael Greenspan, Dorie’s husband, and I could always sit at the same table. He and I bonded, although he doesn’t know it, over today’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Matafan. These delightful little morsels are fluffy mashed potato pancakes, a longtime French staple. Michael’s Matafan-of-Choice is warm and swimming in maple syrup. To that I might say, “Michael, never swim without adding whipped cream.” Dorie reminds us that the French Matafan, which sits somewhere between a pancake and blini, wears many hats. Usually eaten mid-morning to keep hunger at bay, it can be a side dish, snack or starter.
MICHAEL GREENSPAN’S IDEA OF BLISS, served with Syrup
“ I have been collecting recipes for Matafans for some time now, because they’re emblematic of le Pays de Savoie. There are a whole lot of recipes, because everyone does them differently. Families all through this stretch of the French Alps do their own variations on the pancake but different, some serving them with toppings to be eaten with knife and fork, some slapping local cheese between two of them to make a delicious fluffy warm sandwich to eat with your hands. These are great prepared in advance of a good uphill hike and taken out of the sack to serve as a fortifying lunch. Indeed, for what’s in them, you can estimate that a couple of Matafans will be the equivalent of a small 2 egg breakfast with hash browns and bacon, so plan some extra activity to burn them off.”
My good friend, Judy, a Francophile who lives in Philadelphia, loves her buckwheat blini topped with crèame fraîche/caviar or salmon roe. If you’re stuck with some extra Idaho Russets, these fluffy Matafans, blinis in disguise, could serve that same purpose and be delicious.
HAPPY NEW YEAR HAPPY NEW YEAR HAPPY NEW YEAR HAPPY NEW YEAR
FREEZER-READY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
Other Dorista’s treated this French peasant/country fare with panache and flair. If you’re curious to see their take on Matafan, check out http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/.
STIRRING UP MEMORIES WHILE SIPPING YOUR MORNING COFFEE
When traveling, vacationing, or visiting friends and family, it’s always fun to bring home a memory, a token of the trip, some remembrance of where you’ve been, what you did, or who you saw. However, there comes a time, and I’ve reached it, when there is no more room, nor need, nor desire, to do that. Besides, souvenirs can get pricey.
The House Rule in my home is if “something new” comes through the door, two “somethings old” get tossed. Clutter is no longer my friend. That’s not a good reason, however, to give up the “hunt”, stashing a tiny treasure in your baggage to mark the moment. An item you will actually use at home.
These days, I am marking my Moments with Mugs. If you’re a coffee-addict like me, merely sip tea, or wander over to the dark side with hot chocolate, have I got a Mug for you. Wherever I go, there’s always a Starbucks which translates into a Mug commemorating the city, state or country. Now, people, we are not talking fine china here. A Starbucks Mug costs $12.95 in any currency. Wrapped around a t-shirt or sweater, it travels without a chip. Better yet, it scans well at the airport. TSA employees seem to know a coffee mug when they see one.
Locating these Mugs is an adventure in itself? Did you know the Krakow Starbucks is in historic Wawel Castle? I discovered parts unknown in Budapest, trying to find their only Starbucks store. (I never discovered it.). When I dropped my D.C. Mug in the street, it cracked and had to be replaced. I almost missed my plane. But the real merriment, for me and my house guests, is when we make a Mug-choice every morning. It brings a whole new meaning to “a quick cup of coffee“.
(With apologies to ARIZONA, CHICAGO, and WASHINGTON D.C., who were in the dishwasher.)
