The Best Laid Plans

Because, after 63 years of life on this planet and nearly 15 in the Bay area, I was actually naïve enough to believe the weatherman when he said we were in for a week of hot summer weather and because I can't face hot stoves, ovens or even barbecues when it's really hot, I started cooking in the early morning cool to get a few hot-day meals ahead.

I had cold chicken the first night from my cheater chick and prepared a nice shrimp salad for the second day. Here's what I made, anticipating Day Three of a heat wave.

Salmon laid gently into barely-boiling water with lemon for a few minutes, then cooled in the fridge. Molly Wizenberg's Dad's shockingly addictive potato salad. Curry-flavored deviled eggs and a little cup of cornichons and radishes.

Of course, on Day One-and-One-Half, the fog rolled back in through the gate and there was no more need for warm weather foods. That's what I get for believing the weatherman. However, it's still summer and the ingredients are still wonderful, so what the heck. Even if I'm wearing a sweater to dinner with the fuzzy flip-flops my sister sent me when she heard about our cold summer, it's still a nice meal. Especially that amazing potato salad.

Burg's Potato Salad (with all due respect to Molly's Dad, Burg, this should be called Crack Potato Salad, it's that addictive) from A Homemade Life, by Molly Wizenberg

1-3/4 pounds red waxy potatoes, scrubbed (I used the small ones so they cook faster)
4 large eggs
8 scallions (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

For the dressing:

3/4 cup of mayonnaise, preferably Hellman's/Best Foods, or homemade
4 Tablespoons bottled Ranch dressing, preferably Hidden Valley brand
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
1 to 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)

Molly gives a more exacting preparation method than I used and hers is surely much better for it, but I'm an impatient sort of person, so I skipped a couple of steps. Here's what I do; if you want the real story, buy her marvelous book, "A Homemade Life." You'll be glad you did.

But, for the lazy woman's version:

Cover the spuds and the eggs with about 1" of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat so the boiling continues but isn't furious. Test after about 15 minutes; if the spuds are easily pierced with a knife, they are ready. Drain and cool. I put the eggs under cold water to cool them faster. Once the eggs are cool, peel them under cold running water, chop coarsely and put them in a bowl large enough to hold all the finished salad. When the spuds are cool, chop them into 1/2" pieces and add them to the eggs.

In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, Ranch dressing, dill and salt. Add the scallions and pour the dressing over the potatoes and eggs, stirring to coat thoroughly. Taste and add more salt if you need it. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Yields about 6-8 servings.

Molly's Book

Oh, my dears, you really must read this one.

Molly sent us an advance copy of her book, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table, our perq for being her relatives, but I'd be singing its praises even if she was a stranger.

In this wonderfully humorous and touching book, Molly talks with surprising intimacy about her family, especially her father, and about her relationship with them and with the food they share. The writing is delicious as befits a book about food, like the best of Orangette concentrated in a single volume (but these essays are not just reprints from Orangette, they are new).

Molly has a way of describing food that makes me begin immediately to review the contents of my fridge and cupboards, hoping I have all the ingredients so I can begin cooking right away. The two recipes I've already tried from it, Cream-Braised Cabbage and her Dad's potato salad, are really mouthwatering, and there are several more I can't wait to make.

Grab a copy! You're gonna love it, and her*.

In case you missed my earlier post, Molly will be in the Bay area in next week to talk about the book and to sign copies of it. Click here to see when she will be in your area.

We Knew Her When...

We knew her when she was a shy and coltish college student just learning about independence. We watched her fondly when she was trying out her summer jobs at Whole Foods and her brother's restaurant. We cheered when she landed her first publishing job. We followed her when she started writing Orangette and made us laugh and cry with her lovely stories. We danced at her wedding when Orangette brought her the man of her dreams. We were thrilled when she landed a gig with Bon Appetit magazine for a monthly column.

And we are so freaking proud of her now when her first book, A Homemade Life, Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table is being published and she's having her first readings and book signings!

My Beloved has known her all her life; she is his niece. I've only had the pleasure of knowing her since she was a teenager. It has been a kick for us both to see her blossom.

You can all hear her talk about A Homemade Life and ask her to sign your copy next month when Molly Wizenberg comes to the Book Passage store* in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Mark the date, Wednesday, March 11th, 6:00pm.

My Beloved and I will be there bragging to everyone that we knew her when.

*Book Passage is an excellent independent bookstore; while you can buy Molly's book in many places, don't miss a chance to support independent booksellers. They are a vanishing breed and we need them.