Julia Turshen, a renowned writer and food champion, shares her insights on the joys and challenges of home cooking. She discusses how the pandemic shifted our dinner routines and the impact of 'aspirational cooking' on people's kitchen habits. Julia emphasizes nurturing gratitude in culinary practices, the importance of flexibility in meal planning, and the emotional connections that food fosters. She also reflects on her journey towards inclusivity within the food community and how mentorship plays a vital role in cooking.
Julia Turshen emphasizes simplifying cooking through approachable formulas, empowering home cooks to substitute ingredients and enjoy the process rather than striving for perfection.
The podcast discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic transformed attitudes toward cooking, highlighting both the burnout from monotony and a renewed appreciation for home meals.
Deep dives
Reconnecting with the Joy of Cooking
The episode highlights the importance of simplifying the cooking process to make it more enjoyable and less stressful. Julia Tershin emphasizes the concept of creating charts that provide basic formulas for dishes, such as salad dressings, which help demystify cooking for those who may feel overwhelmed by complicated recipes. By breaking down cooking into approachable, easy-to-follow steps, she aims to empower cooks to be more flexible and confident in the kitchen. This approach encourages individuals to substitute ingredients without fear and reassures them that the joy of preparing food is more significant than striving for perfection.
The Impact of Pandemic on Home Cooking
The conversation reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people's relationships with cooking and home meals. Many individuals experienced burnout from the relentless routine of daily cooking and cleaning, leading to a decline in their passion for preparing meals. Tershin and her co-hosts discuss the challenges of staying motivated when facing the monotony of meal planning and preparation. They also recognize that a greater appreciation for cooking emerged during this time, as those who know how to cook found solace and comfort in meals despite the struggles of the pandemic.
The Evolution of Food Media and Creativity
The discussion touches on the evolution of food media and its influence on societal expectations regarding cooking. Tershin notes that traditional media often sets high standards for presentation, which can intimidate home cooks and deter them from trying new recipes. The hosts talk about the importance of promoting a more authentic and approachable image of cooking that celebrates creativity and personal adaptation. They argue that the focus should shift away from what looks perfect on social media to enjoying the process of cooking and learning from each experience.
Community Engagement through Food Initiatives
Tershin shares her experiences of engaging with local food initiatives that extend beyond the kitchen, highlighting the role of community service in her life. She discusses her involvement with local food pantries and community fridges, which provide essential meals to those in need, illustrating the interconnectedness of food access and community well-being. The hosts address the responsibility of food professionals to foster inclusivity and representation within food media and advocate for those whose voices are often marginalized. This commitment to community engagement emphasizes the idea that cooking can serve not only personal satisfaction but also a greater social purpose.
Writer and food champion Julia Turshen talks to Mark and Kate about the beauty and the struggles that come with being a diligent home cook, how 2020 changed the way we make dinner (and clean up), if "aspirational cooking" has made people cook less, and her new cookbook, What Goes with What.
Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow by leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow Mark on Twitter at @bittman, and on Facebook and Instagram at @markbittman. Want more food content? Subscribe to The Bittman Project at www.bittmanproject.com.
Questions or comments? Email food@markbittman.com. And if you have a minute, we'd love it if you'd take a short survey about our show! Head here: http://bit.ly/foodwithmarkbittman-survey