Synopses & Reviews
With grace, humor, and irresistible recipes, the author of Girl Sleuth takes us on her journey as an amateur chef, amateur farmer, and amateur parent
Melanie Rehak was always a passionate cook and food lover. Since reading the likes of Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, and Wendell Berry, sheand#8217;d tried to eat thoughtfully as well. But after the birth of her son, Jules, she wanted to know more: What mattered most, organic or local? Who were these local farmers? Was it possible to be an ethical consumer and still revel in the delights of food? And why wouldnand#8217;t Jules eat anything, organic or not?
Eating for Beginners details the year she spent discovering what how to be an eater and a parent in todayand#8217;s increasingly complicated world. She joined the kitchen staff at applewood, a small restaurant owned by a young couple committed to using locally grown food, and worked on some of the farms that supplied it. Between prepping the nightly menu, milking goats, and sorting beans, Rehak gained an understanding of her own about what to eat and why. (It didnand#8217;t hurt that, along the way, even the most dedicated organic farmers admitted that their children sometimes ate McDonald's.) And as we follow her on her quest to find the pleasure in doing the right thingand#8212;and become a better cook in the bargainand#8212;we too will make our peace with food.
Review
"Hilarious, moving and full of life, Eating for Beginners restores joy to its rightful place at the dinner table. Melanie Rehak's absorbing journey will appeal not only to people who want to spend less time worrying about what to cook, eat, or feed a family, but to those of us who are looking for a way to feel more confident in all of our choices. Whether she's picking kale or picking Cheerios off the floor, Rehak is always excellent company." -- Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project
Synopsis
The acclaimed author of GIRL SLEUTH takes us inside the local food movement
Video
About the Author
MELANIE REHAK's Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her earned both Edgar and Agatha Awards. She has written for the New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and others; her column on food books, “Paper Palate,” appears in Bookforum.
Table of Contents
Contentsand#160;Introductionand#160;1
and#160;1.and#160;IN THE BEGINNINGand#160;13
and#160;2.and#160;WE EAT WHAT WE AREand#160;31
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Candied Orange Peeland#160;44
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Jicama Slawand#160;45
and#160;3.and#160;WHAT IS CHEESE?and#160;47
and#160;4.and#160;SCHOOL FOR CHEFSand#160;64
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Oblique-Cut Caramelized Parsnipsand#160;77
and#160;5.and#160;MEET THE FARMERand#160;78
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Puffed Cayenne Riceand#160;94
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Corn Off the Cob with Garlicand#160;94
and#160;6.and#160;LUCKY ME, LUCKY YOUand#160;96
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Lucky Dog Creamed Spinachand#160;114
and#160;7.and#160;INTO THE FRYING PANand#160;115
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Easy Flip Raisin French Toastand#160;128
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Not So Easy Flip Crab Cakesand#160;128
and#160;8.and#160;ONE FISH, TWO FISHand#160;130
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Lobster and#224; land#8217;Amand#233;ricaine and#224; la Steve and Melanieand#160;147
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Pasta with Delicata Squash, Sage, and Pine Nutsand#160;148
and#160;9.and#160;NIGHT SHIFTand#160;150
and#160;10.and#160;RICH IN IMPERFECTIONSand#160;170
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Brined Turkeyand#160;185
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Jeanand#8217;s Brussels Sproutsand#160;186
and#160;11.and#160;AWAY IN A MANGERand#160;188
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Pasta with Bacon, Farm-Fresh Eggs, and Creamand#160;212
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Lucyand#8217;s Osso Buccoand#160;213
and#160;12.and#160;FARM TO CLEAVERand#160;215
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; No-Grill Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Vinegarand#160;230
and#160;13.and#160;OUT TO SEAand#160;232
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Pan-Roasted Sardines with Caper Butterand#160;254
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Seasickness Cureand#160;255
and#160;14.and#160;SWEETNESS AND LIGHTand#160;256
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Under the Bed Almond Cookiesand#160;272
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Melanieand#8217;s Prune Bread Puddingand#160;272and#160;Acknowledgmentsand#160;274