It’s onerous to consider I’m saying this, however at present marks the final time I’m formally writing this meals column for Cup of Jo. I say “formally” as a result of I plan to nonetheless contribute once in a while, I’m simply pulling again with a purpose to concentrate on some upcoming private tasks, so I received’t be chiming in each Wednesday, the best way I’ve been for nearly seven straight years. SEVEN YEARS! How fortunate I’m to have been a constant a part of this excellent group for that lengthy — I’m so grateful to all of you for studying, for educating me a lot, for reminding me that each single individual on earth appears to have a robust opinion about Dealer Joe’s. To mark the event, I needed to spherical up my most memorable moments…
1. Most Satisfying Factor In Normal: Giving Different Meals Writers a Platform
This has been one of the best a part of the job by far — discovering and introducing you to meals writers and cookbook authors. The Cup of Jo group is highly effective and interesting and meals writers are all the time thrilled to be a part of it by way of their recipes. To call just some memorable cameos: Yasmin Fahr’s Sausage Meatballs with Halloumi and Tomatoes (above; Bee Wilson’s Magic One-Pan Pasta; Sohla El-Waylly’s Chickpea and Chard Stew, Hetty McKinnon’s Cabbage Carbonara, Leah Koenig’s Rooster Soup; Odette Williams’s Pasta with Vodka Sauce; Dan Pelosi’s Pastina for a Dangerous Day. The quantity of expertise on the market won’t ever not amaze me.
2. Most Visited Recipes, Personally Talking
I don’t simply write this column, I use it. Like consistently. There are some recipes I return to greater than others, although: Brooks Reitz’s Lazy Man’s Ratatouille, Priya Krishna’s crowd-pleasing Matar Paneer, Andrea Nguyen’s Tofu Bánh Mì. If I hadn’t already memorized my Smashed Pea Toasts with Ricotta (above), Roast Rooster and Pan-Fried Fish Sandwich, they’d be on this record, too. And each time a dinner-party host asks “Are you able to convey dessert?” I head to the feedback part on this put up for inspiration.
3. Most Visited Recipe, Most Lately: Sara Forte’s Blackened Salmon with Tropical Pico
Have you ever made this but? I imply, it’s a excellent recipe. I solely simply wrote about it in Might, but it’s graced my desk at the very least a half dozen occasions since, together with this previous weekend. Tip: I usually decide up pre-made mango salsa to fast-track the pico.
4. Most Visited Recipes, by the Numbers
However overlook what my favorites are, listed here are three posts that had been vastly fashionable strictly by the numbers: Style Take a look at: What’s the Greatest Vanilla Ice Cream (that shocked me), Ali Stafford’s Similar-Day Peasant Bread (I bear in mind this one blowing up the web), and 5 Recipes Value Memorizing, together with my go-to tofu prep and all-purpose salad dressing.
5. Most Controversial Second: Find out how to be a Good Visitor
I had no thought I’d be poking such a bear with the subject of “modern lateness.” Lesson discovered: Most of you do not need dinner friends exhibiting up quarter-hour late, even when they textual content forward to let the host know.
6. Second Most Controversial Second: The #1 Factor I’d Inform New Dad and mom About Household Dinner
I stand by it to at the present time: In case you have a child beneath age three, don’t hassle.
7. Most Enjoyable to Write: The Fundamentals
In pursuit of the brand new and the novel, it’s straightforward to lose sight of the truth that individuals don’t essentially have to know tips on how to de-bone a sea trout — most cooks simply need to make an excellent dinner each evening and have a pleasing time doing it. Writing about primary, actual recipes has all the time been my wheelhouse, so it is sensible that they’ve been essentially the most enjoyable posts to write down. I’m pondering: The Solely 5 Salad Dressings You Want; 9 Simple Household Meals We’ve Beloved to Demise (that was hilariously enjoyable); Find out how to Improve a Common Inexperienced Salad; an ode to Frozen Greens and one to a humble head of cabbage. Within the sweets division, it was my Previous-Faculty Chocolate Mousse (above), plus my Crisp for All Seasons and Dorie Greenspan’s All the pieces Cake, each of which might be categorized as a “one recipe suits all.” I additionally suppose I have to make that mousse this weekend.
8. Most Viral: A Potato Salad Trick
I’ve all the time believed that if I can provide readers even the tiniest approach to make their lives higher or happier, then I’ve accomplished my job. There was by no means a extra clear (or tiny) instance of this than the time I advised individuals “When making potato salad, toss your potatoes within the dressing whereas the potatoes are nonetheless heat and due to this fact optimally absorbent.” It’s the preferred put up I’ve written on Cup of Jo.
9. Most Impactful Remark: “Eat much less meat,” as an alternative of “Eat no meat”
Extra particularly, in response to my ebook The Weekday Vegetarians, a Cup of Jo reader wrote one thing like “It’s a greater method to persuade extra individuals to eat much less meat, than to persuade fewer individuals to eat zero meat.” I want I might discover the remark and the reader who stated this (is it you?) so I might thank them for each one of many 100 occasions I repeated it at a ebook occasion or in an interview. So effectively stated, and so true.
10. Most Emotional: Secrets and techniques for Stress-Free Household Dinners
I bear in mind when Joanna requested me to write down this story — an evergreen matter — and I believed, I’ve written about household dinner for a dozen years now, how am I going to give you one thing new? However I had by no means written in regards to the matter as an empty nester trying again, and it shocked me how simply the phrases got here, and the way emotional it was to write down the story and understand I used to be the “Perspective Particular person” now. Eras finish. Youngsters develop up. And I’m so fortunate I’ve been capable of write about all of it right here on Cup of Jo.
Did I miss something? Thanks for studying, everybody. You may all the time discover me on my publication, Dinner: A Love Story. And I can say with nice confidence that you’re in glorious palms with my successors: Alex Beggs, Christina Chaey, Kelsey Miller, and lots of different proficient writers Joanna has lined up for 2025. I, for one, can’t wait.
P.S. An ode to rituals (the primary time my byline ever appeared on Cup of Jo) and tips on how to get your children to speak at dinner.
(Photographs: Chocolate mousse, Yossy Arefi; Bread, Alexandra Stafford; Household dinner: Chelsea Cavanaugh)
