Ann Mah's newsletter / Dec 2018
December 2018 newsletter
Happy holidays!
Our tree is gently shedding needles, we've got a gingerbread house desiccating on the kitchen counter, and plane tickets to Southern California burning a hole in our pocket. It's the holidays again, which means we're knee deep in advent calendars, stockings, and latkes (because when your kid is born a New Yorker, she insists on celebrating all winter solstice holidays).
This month I am looking forward to my annual trip to Los Angeles, spending time with family, and eating the special Christmas tamales my dad always buys at the Mexicatessen down the street from our house. And of course I'll be doing some festive baking – maybe another pavlova, a bûche de Noël, or both? One thing is certain: as we gather to celebrate and contemplate the year's end, I will be raising a glass to YOU, dear reader. Thanks for buying my books, liking my posts, and encouraging me throughout 2018. With two books published, this year was a big one for me professionally and I am so grateful for your support.
Here's what else I've been up to...
What I've been eating
–I love Korean pancakes and now I've been making them at home, thanks to the fantastic cookbook, Farm to Table Asian Secrets by my friend, Patricia Tanumihardja. Her recipe uses sauteed rainbow chard, while the batter incorporates a secret ingredient (rice flour) to create an addictive crispy-chewy texture.
–I've made a lot of terrible flatbreads in my time. Hooray, then, for this yogurt flatbread from Bon Appétit! It is truly fail-proof (and delicious!) and pairs beautifully with my favorite chicken curry.
–Hanukah may have ended, but it's never too late to make latkes. This clever recipe uses a genius shortcut: frozen hash browns. I've made them twice; they're incredibly easy and delicious and I challenge anyone to tell the difference.
–For the Washington Post, I cooked an entire turkey dinner in my Instant Pot, and though the article was about Thanksgiving, you can repurpose a lot of the recipes for Christmas. Think: sweet and tangy red cabbage with chestnuts, or pumpkin crème brûlée.... yum.
–As a fan of savory breakfasts, I eat a lot of lentil soup in the morning. But I can't wait to mix things up with a bowl of savory steel oats with kimchi and egg.
What I've been reading
–I swear one day I'm going to write a book set behind-the-scenes at the Nutcracker. Until then, I can't get enough of stories like this one about the two young dancers who play the Nutcracker Prince in the New York City Ballet's production. And for even MORE Nutcracker magic, check out this behind-the-scenes video.
–I talked with Book Club Chat about my favorite books, the inspiration behind The Lost Vintage, and what I'm working on next.
–Two writing retreats sound wonderful. The Women’s Writers’ Winter Retreat will be held from March 2-4 at Camp Letts in Edgewater, MD with Jacki Lyden, author of Daughter of the Queen of Sheba and Tell Me Something Good (in progress). Jacki says: "Camp Letts is a lovely YMCA camp – views are lovely, facilities camp-like but there’s a wood-burning fire and all meals included. We’ll be working on memoir, fiction and structure. Please bring pages you’d like to advance. $325. For more details, please write Jacki.Lyden@gmail.com."
–In April, my novelist friend Therese Walsh will lead a Guided Writing Retreat in upstate New York. Spaces for both retreats are limited, so don't delay!
–Have you been watching the Elena Ferrante series on HBO and has it made you want to visit Naples? I talked to Vox about the crazy impulse.
–As you plan your holiday travel this season, make sure to read this important article ;)
–If you're in Paris on February 19, please save the date for a very special evening. In celebration of The Lost Vintage, I'll be in conversation with my friend, Christian Holthausen of AR Lenoble, the independent family-owned Champagne house whose grape harvest inspired the book. I hope you'll join us at the American Library in Paris for a lively discussion and wine tasting.
A bientôt!
If you find yourself in Washington DC this month, I highly recommend the exhibit Corot: Women at the National Gallery of Art. This was one of my favorite paintings from the show, a cool chick called "la Blonde gasconne." I definitely think she's got what it takes to conquer the new year. Until then, thank you so much for reading – and if you're still shopping for that hard-to-gift person, might I add that The Lost Vintage and Instantly French make awesome presents and I'm always happy to send personalized and signed book plates! :)
May your holiday season be joyous and delicious. See you in 2019!
Amitiés,
Ann