It’s onerous to consider I’m saying this, however as we speak marks the final time I’m formally writing this meals column for Cup of Jo. I say “formally” as a result of I plan to nonetheless contribute every now and then, I’m simply pulling again so as to deal with some upcoming private tasks, so I received’t be chiming in each Wednesday, the best way I’ve been for nearly seven straight years. SEVEN YEARS! How fortunate I’m to have been a constant a part of this excellent group for that lengthy — I’m so grateful to all of you for studying, for educating me a lot, for reminding me that each single individual on earth appears to have a robust opinion about Dealer Joe’s. To mark the event, I needed to spherical up my most memorable moments…
1. Most Satisfying Factor In Normal: Giving Different Meals Writers a Platform
This has been the most effective a part of the job by far — discovering and introducing you to meals writers and cookbook authors. The Cup of Jo group is highly effective and interesting and meals writers are at all times thrilled to be a part of it via their recipes. To call only a few memorable cameos: Yasmin Fahr’s Sausage Meatballs with Halloumi and Tomatoes (above; Bee Wilson’s Magic One-Pan Pasta; Sohla El-Waylly’s Chickpea and Chard Stew, Hetty McKinnon’s Cabbage Carbonara, Leah Koenig’s Hen Soup; Odette Williams’s Pasta with Vodka Sauce; Dan Pelosi’s Pastina for a Dangerous Day. The quantity of expertise on the market won’t ever not amaze me.
2. Most Visited Recipes, Personally Talking
I don’t simply write this column, I use it. Like continually. There are some recipes I return to greater than others, although: Brooks Reitz’s Lazy Man’s Ratatouille, Priya Krishna’s crowd-pleasing Matar Paneer, Andrea Nguyen’s Tofu Bánh Mì. If I hadn’t already memorized my Smashed Pea Toasts with Ricotta (above), Roast Hen and Pan-Fried Fish Sandwich, they’d be on this listing, too. And each time a dinner-party host asks “Are you able to convey dessert?” I head to the feedback part on this put up for inspiration.
3. Most Visited Recipe, Most Not too long ago: Sara Forte’s Blackened Salmon with Tropical Pico
Have you ever made this but? I imply, it’s a excellent recipe. I solely simply wrote about it in Could, but it’s graced my desk no less than a half dozen instances since, together with this previous weekend. Tip: I usually decide up pre-made mango salsa to fast-track the pico.
4. Most Visited Recipes, by the Numbers
However neglect what my favorites are, listed below are three posts that had been massively common strictly by the numbers: Style Check: What’s the Finest Vanilla Ice Cream (that shocked me), Ali Stafford’s Similar-Day Peasant Bread (I bear in mind this one blowing up the web), and 5 Recipes Value Memorizing, together with my go-to tofu prep and all-purpose salad dressing.
5. Most Controversial Second: Methods to be a Good Visitor
I had no thought I’d be poking such a bear with the subject of “modern lateness.” Lesson discovered: Most of you do not need dinner visitors exhibiting up quarter-hour late, even when they textual content forward to let the host know.
6. Second Most Controversial Second: The #1 Factor I’d Inform New Dad and mom About Household Dinner
I stand by it to this present day: When you’ve got a child beneath age three, don’t hassle.
7. Most Enjoyable to Write: The Fundamentals
In pursuit of the brand new and the novel, it’s straightforward to lose sight of the truth that folks don’t essentially must know how one can de-bone a sea trout — most cooks simply wish to make an excellent dinner each evening and have a nice time doing it. Writing about fundamental, actual recipes has at all times been my wheelhouse, so it is sensible that they’ve been probably the most enjoyable posts to write down. I’m pondering: The Solely 5 Salad Dressings You Want; 9 Simple Household Meals We’ve Beloved to Demise (that was hilariously enjoyable); Methods to Improve a Common Inexperienced Salad; an ode to Frozen Greens and one to a humble head of cabbage. Within the sweets division, it was my Outdated-College Chocolate Mousse (above), plus my Crisp for All Seasons and Dorie Greenspan’s Every thing Cake, each of which might be categorized as a “one recipe suits all.” I additionally assume I must make that mousse this weekend.
8. Most Viral: A Potato Salad Trick
I’ve at all times believed that if I may give readers even the tiniest option to make their lives higher or happier, then I’ve accomplished my job. There was by no means a extra clear (or tiny) instance of this than the time I advised folks “When making potato salad, toss your potatoes within the dressing whereas the potatoes are nonetheless heat and due to this fact optimally absorbent.” It’s the most well-liked put up I’ve written on Cup of Jo.
9. Most Impactful Remark: “Eat much less meat,” as a substitute of “Eat no meat”
Extra particularly, in response to my guide The Weekday Vegetarians, a Cup of Jo reader wrote one thing like “It’s a greater method to persuade extra folks to eat much less meat, than to persuade fewer folks to eat zero meat.” I want I might discover the remark and the reader who stated this (is it you?) so I might thank them for each one of many 100 instances I repeated it at a guide occasion or in an interview. So properly stated, and so true.
10. Most Emotional: Secrets and techniques for Stress-Free Household Dinners
I bear in mind when Joanna requested me to write down this story — an evergreen subject — and I assumed, I’ve written about household dinner for a dozen years now, how am I going to give you one thing new? However I had by no means written concerning the subject as an empty nester wanting again, and it shocked me how simply the phrases got here, and the way emotional it was to write down the story and understand I used to be the “Perspective Particular person” now. Eras finish. Youngsters develop up. And I’m so fortunate I’ve been in a position to write about all of it right here on Cup of Jo.
Did I miss something? Thanks for studying, everybody. You may at all times discover me on my publication, Dinner: A Love Story. And I can say with nice confidence that you’re in glorious fingers with my successors: Alex Beggs, Christina Chaey, Kelsey Miller, and lots of different proficient writers Joanna has lined up for 2025. I, for one, can’t wait.
P.S. An ode to rituals (the primary time my byline ever appeared on Cup of Jo) and how one can get your children to speak at dinner.
(Images: Chocolate mousse, Yossy Arefi; Bread, Alexandra Stafford; Household dinner: Chelsea Cavanaugh)