Comfort Food

When I was growing up in California, October wasn't exactly autumnal. The weather would cool down from the blazing 100 degrees common to the Sacramento summer, but we did not have to pull out the warm jackets to take long walks and kick the falling leaves. Here in Westhampton, the temperatures have cooled and the leaves are changing and it feels like the time to hit the farm stand to buy fall produce to make a hearty soup. This kind of weather is also good for curling up under a cozy blanket on the couch and reading a good book.

My favorite book of the moment is called The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. This book is due to be released in January, but I cannot wait until then to talk about it. The story revolves around a cooking class given by Lillian at her restaurant. Lillian believes in the power of food to evoke emotions and memories and propel people to make changes in their lives. As the classes progress, we learn the stories of the students, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. This book just made me want to cook and tell stories and be with the people that I love. I am sorry that you have to wait for it, but in the meantime, here are some food books to whet your appetite....

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel is a story of magic and food and familial obligation. The language is rich and beautiful and you will fall in love with the characters. Tita, though constrained by familial expectations and a rather difficult mother, shines through.

Another magical story that revolves around food, family and love, La Cucina takes place in Sicily and is full of descriptions so lush and complete that you swear you can taste the food. Rosa suffers great love and enters into mad passion. Sadly, in her darkest days she move to Palermo and becomes a librarian (!?!).

I just loved this small book that is partly an ode to pies and partly a memoir. The author describes the pies and the pie-makers with delicacy and affection. I especially love the sections dealing with the "Pie Ramble", a kind of roadtrip/quest for the holiest of grails....a perfect piece of diner pie. Humor and love are combined in this book to make a tasty dish.

If you have finished these books and it is still not time for the release of Bauermeister's book, you can turn to the tried and true book of food stories: The Joy of Cooking. I am most fond of the 1975 edition. This classic cookbook will tell you everything from how to set a table for entertaining to how to cook a lamb's head (though you may want to skip that recipe if you have a weak stomach). Among the many recipes you will find little stories and tips about cooking, and sometimes life.

Good food nourishes not only the body, but the soul. Good books about food do the same. So make a big pot of soup, find a soft blanket and settle in on a rainy autumn afternoon for a good read.