Skip to main content

Consider the Fork


Have you read this gem of a book yet? I bought a copy at a thrift shop last week and finished reading it in two days. Rarely has a book with so much information been such an enjoyable read. In Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat, British food writer Bee Wilson outlines the evolution of the kitchen and its contents with wit and skill. The paperback features history, science, and personal anecdotes on how our culinary tools—from spoons to pots to rice cookers—came to be and how their influence has shaped today's food culture. It is well researched and insanely detailed. Bee's style of writing makes it easy for readers to engage in her passion.

Here's an excerpt.

"Making toast is satisfying. You could say that's because it's such a comforting substance—the crispness, the heavenly aroma as yellow butter slowly melts into the crevices. But the satisfaction is also mechanical and childish: fitting the slices in the slots, setting the timer, and waiting for a ping or a pop.

For something so basic, the electric toaster arrived late. From the 1890's, gadget-crazy late Victorians could in theory use electricity to boil kettles and fry eggs, yet for toast they still relied on the toasting forks and gridirons of open hearth cookery. These were variations on the theme of prongs and baskets for holding bread (or morsels of cheese and meat) before the flame. Toasting, when you think about it is really roasting: applying dry radiant heat to something until the surface browns."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hey, Wanna Build a Guitar?

Six strings attached to a wooden frame, capable of producing simple tunes and intricate melodies. But before a guitar reaches the Royal Albert Hall or the dark corners of your bedroom, it undergoes a fascinating transformation at the hands of skilled craftspeople like Nick Branwell. Guitar making is more than just assembling pieces of wood and strings; it's about understanding the connection between materials, design, and sound. It's a craft that requires years of dedication and a deep passion for music. The result is an instrument that is not only beautiful to look at but also capable of producing music that can move and inspire.

A story about a duck who likes being different

The hilarious "Duckie Duck" by Kate Toms is one of my recommendations for kids learning to read. My son got this book from his aunt in Calgary a few years ago and since then has become one of his favorites. First of all, this is not your average duck tale. This is a story about a fowl who, candidly, seems to have missed the memo on duck protocol. Most ducks quack, but Duckie whistles. Others love to swim, but not him — Duckie likes boat rides. While other water birds fly, he enjoys floating inside a hot air balloon. The rhyming text and delightful hand-stitched illustrations make the book visually appealing to children. So, if you're looking for a book to teach your quirky little kids to read, "Duckie Duck" is just perfect.

The Bizarre History of Rum

Back when I was drinking a lot more alcohol than I do these days, my go to beverage was rum. Born from sugarcane and with a past as rich and complex as its flavor, rum is inexpensive and has a smooth taste. The longer it ages, the better and more complex it becomes. Whether you're sipping a simple Tanduay and Coke or handcrafted cocktails like the Mojito, Daiquiri, and Mai Tai, rum is always a good choice.