It’s onerous to consider I’m saying this, however right now 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 on occasion, I’m simply pulling again as a way 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 needed to spherical up my most memorable moments…
1. Most Satisfying Factor In Common: 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 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 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 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 excellent recipe. I solely simply wrote about it in Could, but it’s graced my desk at the least a half dozen instances since, together with this previous weekend. Tip: I usually choose 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 well-liked strictly by the numbers: Style Take a look at: What’s the Finest Vanilla Ice Cream (that stunned me), Ali Stafford’s Identical-Day Peasant Bread (I keep 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: Find out how to be a Good Visitor
I had no concept I’d be poking such a bear with the subject of “trendy lateness.” Lesson discovered: Most of you do not need dinner company 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 today: If in case you have a child beneath age three, don’t trouble.
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 folks don’t essentially have to know learn how to de-bone a sea trout — most cooks simply need to make an excellent dinner each evening and have a pleasing 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 jot down. I’m pondering: The Solely 5 Salad Dressings You Want; 9 Straightforward Household Meals We’ve Liked to Loss of life (that was hilariously enjoyable); Find out how 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-Faculty Chocolate Mousse (above), plus my Crisp for All Seasons and Dorie Greenspan’s All the things Cake, each of which may very well be categorized as a “one recipe suits all.” I additionally assume I have to make that mousse this weekend.
8. Most Viral: A Potato Salad Trick
I’ve at all times believed that if I can provide readers even the tiniest option to make their lives higher or happier, then I’ve finished 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 subsequently optimally absorbent.” It’s the preferred publish 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 e book The Weekday Vegetarians, a Cup of Jo reader wrote one thing like “It’s a greater strategy to persuade extra folks to eat much less meat, than to persuade fewer folks to eat zero meat.” I want I may discover the remark and the reader who stated 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 stated, and so true.
10. Most Emotional: Secrets and techniques for Stress-Free Household Dinners
I keep in mind when Joanna requested me to jot down this story — an evergreen matter — and I believed, 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 matter as an empty nester wanting again, and it stunned 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. 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’ll be able to at all times discover me on my e-newsletter, Dinner: A Love Story. And I can say with nice confidence that you’re in wonderful arms with my successors: Alex Beggs, Christina Chaey, Kelsey Miller, and plenty of different gifted 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 learn how to get your youngsters to speak at dinner.
(Images: Chocolate mousse, Yossy Arefi; Bread, Alexandra Stafford; Household dinner: Chelsea Cavanaugh)
