It’s exhausting to consider I’m saying this, however at the moment 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 so often, I’m simply pulling again in an effort to give attention to some upcoming private tasks, so I received’t be chiming in each Wednesday, the way in which I’ve been for nearly seven straight years. SEVEN YEARS! How fortunate I’m to have been a constant a part of this excellent neighborhood for that lengthy — I’m so grateful to all of you for studying, for instructing me a lot, for reminding me that each single particular person on earth appears to have a powerful opinion about Dealer Joe’s. To mark the event, I wished to spherical up my most memorable moments…
1. Most Satisfying Factor In Basic: Giving Different Meals Writers a Platform
This has been the perfect a part of the job by far — discovering and introducing you to meals writers and cookbook authors. The Cup of Jo neighborhood is highly effective and interesting and meals writers are at all times thrilled to be a part of it via their recipes. To call just some 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 Rooster Soup; Odette Williams’s Pasta with Vodka Sauce; Dan Pelosi’s Pastina for a Unhealthy 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 always. 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 Rooster and Pan-Fried Fish Sandwich, they’d be on this listing, too. And each time a dinner-party host asks “Are you able to carry dessert?” I head to the feedback part on this publish for inspiration.
3. Most Visited Recipe, Most Just lately: Sara Forte’s Blackened Salmon with Tropical Pico
Have you ever made this but? I imply, it’s a good recipe. I solely simply wrote about it in Might, but it’s graced my desk no less than a half dozen instances since, together with this previous weekend. Tip: I typically decide up pre-made mango salsa to fast-track the pico.
4. Most Visited Recipes, by the Numbers
However overlook what my favorites are, listed below are three posts that have been vastly common strictly by the numbers: Style Check: What’s the Greatest Vanilla Ice Cream (that shocked me), Ali Stafford’s Identical-Day Peasant Bread (I bear in mind this one blowing up the web), and 5 Recipes Price Memorizing, together with my go-to tofu prep and all-purpose salad dressing.
5. Most Controversial Second: The best way to be a Good Visitor
I had no thought I’d be poking such a bear with the subject of “trendy lateness.” Lesson realized: 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 Mother and father About Household Dinner
I stand by it to at the present time: If in case you have a child below age three, don’t hassle.
7. Most Enjoyable to Write: The Fundamentals
In pursuit of the brand new and the novel, it’s simple to lose sight of the truth that individuals don’t essentially have to know de-bone a sea trout — most cooks simply wish to make a very good dinner each evening and have a pleasing time doing it. Writing about primary, actual recipes has at all times been my wheelhouse, so it is smart that they’ve been essentially the most enjoyable posts to jot down. I’m pondering: The Solely 5 Salad Dressings You Want; 9 Straightforward Household Meals We’ve Beloved to Demise (that was hilariously enjoyable); The best way 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 All the pieces Cake, each of which might be categorized as a “one recipe suits all.” I additionally suppose I have to 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 approach 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 instructed individuals “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 publish I’ve written on Cup of Jo.
9. Most Impactful Remark: “Eat much less meat,” as an alternative of “Eat no meat”
Extra particularly, in response to my e-book The Weekday Vegetarians, a Cup of Jo reader wrote one thing like “It’s a greater strategy to persuade extra individuals to eat much less meat, than to persuade fewer individuals to eat zero meat.” I want I may discover the remark and the reader who mentioned this (is it you?) so I may thank them for each one of many 100 instances I repeated it at a e-book occasion or in an interview. So properly mentioned, and so true.
10. Most Emotional: Secrets and techniques for Stress-Free Household Dinners
I bear in mind when Joanna requested me to jot down this story — an evergreen subject — and I believed, I’ve written about household dinner for a dozen years now, how am I going to provide you with one thing new? However I had by no means written in regards to the subject as an empty nester trying again, and it shocked me how simply the phrases got here, and the way emotional it was to jot down the story and notice I used to be the “Perspective Particular person” now. Eras finish. Children 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 e-newsletter, Dinner: A Love Story. And I can say with nice confidence that you’re in glorious arms 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 get your youngsters to speak at dinner.
(Images: Chocolate mousse, Yossy Arefi; Bread, Alexandra Stafford; Household dinner: Chelsea Cavanaugh)
