Ep. 1: The one where she starts writing
This past week the Shower Principle actually worked for me. This is not a first, but it certainly isn’t a common occurrence. Rarely am I struck with genius while I soap up, but on a recent afternoon (because that’s usually when I get around to showering now) I had the epiphany to cook my way through Alison Roman’s very timely and prophetic Dining In cookbook. I’ll use the recipes and her concept (#stayinginforthewin) to pepper (a little cooking pun) and punctuate the days my partner Max and I are spending at home due to the global pandemic. I’ll write about the experience - the food and the day - for my own sanity, as well as anyone else who may be interested (my sweet mother, party of one).
Of course, once the exhilaration of having a new project and reason to dust off my blogger skills passed, I realized I was blatantly borrowing the idea from one Mrs. Julie Powell, of Julie & Julia fame. Do truly original ideas really even exist anymore though, guys? Come on. She isn’t the only one to find solace and *maybe even herself* in cooking. I, myself have already dabbled in this arena.
Having lost my job to the unexpected closure of my agency months prior to the pandemic, I’m no stranger to cooking as both sanctuary and raison d’être. Part way into my unemployment I was given the opportunity to work as a recipe tester for my soon(ish)-to-be mother-in-law who was working on her new book (yes, she’s a much-beloved Canadian icon), which was to include recipes. The practice of planning the dishes out, the walks to the shop to collect the week’s ingredients and the enjoyment I found each time I took to the kitchen served as the perfect distraction, a glorious self-care regimen, and sense of purpose I so desperately craved.
In the midst of this pandemic, I find myself in a similar position. Stuck in heavy circumstances with plenty of time on my hands and looking to cooking for some levity. I had been putting off buying Dining In and the newer Nothing Fancy for months. Not out of boycott (who on God’s greenish Earth is in opposition to #TheCookies?!), but in pursuit of frugality. Be that as it may, after a few weeks of lockdown and trying out my first Alison Roman recipes care of a NYT Cooking trial (#TheStew is worth the hype), I’m now the proud owner of the cook’s beautiful, first book.
Her recipes and approach to dining in is exactly what we need right now. Unfussy, fun, and delicious dishes that not only make our meals feel special, but like we’re taking care of ourselves and our people. It goes beyond nutritional nourishment, and really serves as a practice in mindfulness. I’m not the only one subscribing to this thinking. Open Instagram and behold the endless stories showcasing shots of Lemony Turmeric Tea Cakes, jammy onions, and sexy olives.
Alison disciples are everywhere, each of us with the shared vision of maintaining some semblance of control and normalcy while also infusing a sense of simple occasion into our very changed everyday lives.
There won’t be much method to my madness. I make no promise to cook in order, complete every recipe in a timely manner, or cook exclusively from Dining In. Sometimes I’ll cook other recipes, Max will cook, or instead we’ll order in. We’ll choose recipes from the book that make sense based on grocery availability (pray we find good anchovies soon), our cravings (insatiable), and our state of mind (ever-changing and at times wobbly).
I have no false hope of this becoming a beloved book turned film starring the incomparable Meryl Streep (and let us not forget, Chris Messina) or anything beyond what it actually is meant to be - a creative outlet for a 30-something lady, seeking better dinners, and oversharing her experience online while stuck in.
Stay tuned for musings on becoming a bath time gal, updates on my puzzle, and an Easter feast for two - starring local lamb and featuring many side dishes from the book.
Photo by Max Rosenstein
