1. Wendell Berry
In full cognizance of earthly cycles greater than any single human, doing his best to understand and respect them, [Wendell Berry] acted as if there would be a future, and put his considerable mental and physical power toward shaping that future. His work is done only in the sense that a seed’s work is done. Appearing to have died, it multiplies, renews, and lives on. – Ricardo Salvador
RIP Wendell Berry, a good and extremely wise man. This is the best piece you’ll read about him, by my friend (another good and wise man) Ricardo Salvador. – Mark
2. Carrots that made me like carrots
Carrots — they’re not my favorite. But as part of my recent attempts to eat what’s in my refrigerator (novel, I know), I had to stop ignoring a (recently bought, no less) bag of carrots I had in there. (Our friends were staying with us and their daughter likes carrots. They’re not something I usually buy. That changes now.)
I was like, okay, I’m going to hunt down a really good recipe. I’ve been religiously using my Breville Joule instead of my oven (it doesn’t heat up the entire apartment and it’s just generally awesome), and Breville has a good companion app with recipes that I like to scroll, so I searched for carrots on there and that’s how I found what I swear is the best preparation of that vegetable I’ve had (except for when my dad simply roasts them with butter and salt, but he’s a great cook and things just taste better when they’re made by him).
(Here’s a little screen recording of the recipe on the app, if you’re interested.)
ANYWAY… carrots, lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, a little sugar and salt and pepper. I didn’t have lime so I used rice vinegar and if these carrots were that good with a substitution, imagine how good they’re going to be when I feel like getting to the grocery store? Outrageous. Make them immediately!
Also, we’re having Nik Sharma (this is his recipe) on the podcast later this month — his new book, Fundamentals of Flavor, is out September 22 — and I can’t wait! – Kate
I’m coming to TalkShopLive on September 14th at 7pm ET. Tune in to hear all about my new book, How to Cook Everything Vegan, and pre-order your autographed copy. (Plus, you can ask me questions.) Follow my TalkShopLive channel to be notified when I go live. See you soon!
3. Polycrisis and the food system
I have known Tom Philpott for twenty years (he’s also been a guest on our podcast). If he calls something a polycrisis … well, give this a listen. – Mark
4. Another really good novel
Yeah, I’ve been reading like crazy this summer, and it’s been glorious. Wild Dark Shore is not a happy read (though it has so many touching moments), but it’s spooky, and well-written, and I cannot get it out of my head. I wanted to put it down when I first started it because, frankly, one of the main characters was bumming me out, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Apparently, it’s in this new genre of books called “cli-fi” (climate fiction), but don’t let that stop you from reading it. Thanks to my mother-in-law for this rec! – Kate
Comment