Wednesday, April 23, 2025

My new (old) book, reversible napkins, and a menu plan.

I have a new (old) book out! My first book—The Cook and the Gardener—about cooking seasonally from a garden and about a crusty old French gardener whom I befriended when I worked as a cook at a château in Burgundy, France, was relaunched yesterday, on the 25th (26th!) anniversary of its original publication in 1999.

The recipes are mostly timeless French and Italian staples such as carrots with tarragon, braised lamb with peas, and jam crostata, and because they're focused on the fruits and vegetables that are available each month, the recipes are pleasingly simple. When The Cook and the Gardener debuted, it was one of the early books to tout seasonal cooking, a shift in our understanding of food systems and flavor that still predominates today. I hope you'll check it out. And if you want me to sign a nameplate for the book, email me at amanda@food52com, and I'll send you one.

Back in Food52 Land

We came out with these smart reversible napkins made in Japan. Each side is a mixed plaid in golden yellows and pale blues. Bonus feature: Doubling the fabric makes the napkins thicker, which means they wrinkle less after washing.

As it gets warmer and you have more fruit on your countertop, you may want to consider this cork-topped fruit bowl—the cork keeps fruit flies away.

Justin, our Hotline editor, hosted a Q&A with sommelier Gabriella Borg Costanzi. He asked Gabriella which regions you should buy your favorite wines from. Who knew you should get Pinot Grigio from Alsace?

There's a new email newsletter coming your way! We recently launched Forkcast, a weekly meal-prep email that includes 5 recipes to make that week, plus a shopping list and handy tips. The latest features recipes using spring peas, asparagus, and fava beans.

Yours in kitchen gardens and cranky gardeners,

Amanda Hesser

Founder & Executive Chair

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