Ann Mah's newsletter / Feb 2019
February 2019 newsletter
Bonjour!
Happy Valentine's Day! As you read this message, I am actually arriving in my beloved Paris for a brief work visit. If you're in town, I'll be speaking at the American Library in Paris on Tuesday, February 19, and would love to see you there. I'll be talking about The Lost Vintage with my friend and Champagne guru, Christian Holthausen of AR Lenoble. There will also be a Champagne tasting. More details here – please join us!
During my trip, I'll also be meeting with my French publisher (dream come true!) and researching an article that has me horseback riding at the crack of dawn. I can't remember the last time I was on a horse (certainly not as an adult), so.... wish me luck? Eek!
Here's what else I'm up to...
What I've been eating
–I threw a cassoulet dinner party and cooked the traditional version (takes four days) and the Instant Pot version (takes forty minutes) for a side-by-side comparison. While we all preferred the classic recipe, which had beautifully velvety, plump, and unbroken beans, we all agreed that Instant Pot version was pretty darn good – especially since it takes less than an hour! You can find my traditional recipe here and the Instant Pot version in Instantly French!
–I've made this lime and cilantro salad dressing twice this month and it's the perfect foil for midwinter blues. It makes a delicious slaw, with slivered red cabbage.
–Shakshuka is a comforting meal – and if you make the sauce ahead of time, it's also a quick midweek supper. I like this recipe from David Lebovitz (it's also in his book, My Paris Kitchen) because he adds lots of leafy greens and a few chunks of feta. I took it one step further and stirred in a scoop of cooked farro for a one-pot meal.
–I'm also loving this recipe for saag paneer (spiced spinach with paneer cheese) from my lovely friend Mallika Basu's new cookbook, Masala. It takes any kind of greens (kale, leftover baby lettuce, spinach, etc) and purées them into a delicious, spicy, velvety sauce that's laced with golden paneer. Honestly I can't stop cooking from this book – I turn to it every time I get stuck on what to make for dinner and from the sheet pan aloo gobi, to the tender chicken korma, to spiced chickpeas and spinach it has never let me down.
What I've been reading
–Have you read Circe by Madeline Miller? I'm into ancient Greece right now, and I enjoyed this feminist retelling of the goddess's story. Bonus: it pairs perfectly with your Mediterranean diet :) Pictured here, a savory Greek yogurt bowl with cucumber, mint, pumpkin seeds, and sea salt.
–Paris is full of treasures, but imagine finding a hidden 17th-century painting while renovating! It happened in the new Oscar de la Renta boutique and you can read about it in the New York Times.
–Happy year of the Pig! The lunar new year has come and gone, but you can read about all the superstitions I follow religiously in this piece for Food52.
–I'm a fan of the 18th-century artist Elisabeth-Louise Vigée le Brun, and this Sotheby's video offers a charming vignette about her career in the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and tells the story behind an unusual painting of an Indian ambassador.
–After the success of her Netflix special, there seems to be a bit of a backlash against Marie Kondo and her organizing style. This thoughtful essay explores the Shinto roots of Konmari and delves into the author's childhood memories.
–I was delighted to appear on the Moments with Marianne radio show, talking about The Lost Vintage. You can find the episode here.
–Finally, I have a few upcoming events in Paris and the Washington DC area. As I mentioned, I'll be speaking at the American Library in Paris on Tuesday February 19, and you can find details here.
–On Tuesday March 12, I'm delighted to be "in conversation" with Ellen Crosby, author of the Virginia wine country mystery series, at the Wine Outlet in Vienna, VA. This event is organized by Bards Alley bookshop and will feature a wine tasting. More details here.
–And on Tuesday March 19, I'm honored to speak at my local DC library, the Cleveland Park Library, with Amy Henderson, historian emerita of the National Portrait Gallery. More details here. I would love to see you!
A bientôt!
I have so much packing to do, so will keep this short and sweet and leave you with the most delectable molasses spice coffee cake from Dorie Greenspan's winning cookbook, Everyday Dorie. It's perfect for snowy days. Have a terrific month and I'll be posting about my Paris trip on Instagram so please follow along and keep me company!
Amitiés,
Ann