My Kitchen Year - Ruth Reichl

I came to Ruth Reichl and her books a bit backwards.  I first read her recent work of fiction, Delicious, which I reviewed here.  And I have it on my to-read-list to go back and read her other books. However, My Kitchen Year came across recently when checking in books and I dragged it home.  

This book hits many of my 'buttons' - in a good way.

First of, it's a 'year in the life of' book, which I really enjoy.  Secondly, it's filled with recipes and the stories behind them, another favorite of mine.  Third, it's written and photographed like you are peeking into her life and/or journal, getting the real story of Ruth Reichl.

Reichl starts her story just as her 10 years as editor of Gourmet magazine was abruptly ended.  Overnight she went from being the head of a well-known magazine to being unemployed.  This was the fall of 2009.

She writes 'seasonally' and includes recipes which mean a lot to her past and how they 'saved' her during the year when she was adjusting to no longer having a job.  Filled with snatches of handwriting, like it is pulled from her journal and pictures of both food and scenes from every day life, this is a book to savor.  So much so, I keep renewing it so I don't have to rush through it.

By the way, I just flipped the book open to her banana bread recipe and I have some ripe bananas begging to be used.

Delicious! is Delectable

When I first starting nibbling on this book, I almost put it down.  It was good, but not sure I wanted to spend my limited reading time on it.  Then I picked it up for a second bite and was soon devouring it. 

Billie has arrived in New York City, a little California girl with a nose and palate for cooking which is beyond ordinary - to everyone but her.  After the decades old magazine she is working for closes and she is left answering customer complaints about the recipes, she finds a letter which leads to another, which leads to a great story.

In between Billie's search for Lulu in the convoluted filing system of the late librarian, Bertie, she discovers she has a bounty of new friends.  Sammy, another writer let go from the magazine.  Sal, who owns and runs Fontanari's, a family owned Italian market.  Mr. Complainer, a customer, who becomes more than just a pain to wait on.

Billie's search for Lulu, and her relationship in writing with the legendary James Beard, is echoed by Billie's discovery of just who she is.  Several mysteries about herself slowly unfold to those around her.

Delicious! is layer upon layer of savory goodness and now I must go and see what else Reichl has cooked up.