The gorgeous and lovingly crafted cookbook by Frances and Ed Mayes is finally here. I was very fortunate to spend some time with Frances and Ed and the talented photographer, Steven Rothfeld, as we cooked and photographed recipes for THE TUSCAN SUN COOKBOOK. This collection of recipes is a love letter to the people and [...]

This is a day of thanks: to the dedication of my agent, Joy Tutela, of the David Black Literary Agency who helped me get my book proposal into the hands of the talented and dedicated team at Grand Central. I was also so so fortunate to work with the brilliant AMY EINHORN (now of Amy [...]

Suvir Saran decided to toast up some chivda, “Indian Trail Mix” for our book signing at Sundog Books later this afternoon. Thanks to the NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD, we were spoiled with treats–everything from travel peanut butter snacks to delicious ROYAL OAK Peanut Brittle, a favorite of the participating writers. As he searches for spices, I [...]

This is a belated note to say thank you to Yale, Master Marvin Chun of Berkeley College, and students Paulina, Eunju, Jerry, Christine and so many more for hosting a wonderful gathering of students and authors to discuss food, words, and what it means to follow, not what others want for us, but to take [...]

I was recently honored to write a guest Amazon review for the wonderful new memoir by Frances Mayes. Frances, a poet at heart, is one of the most gracious and generous people I know, and EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY (Broadway Books) is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. EVERY DAY [...]

Fried Chicken BLT, just one of the many Southern-inspired dishes you’ll find in the cookbook. Those of you who have been keeping up with the recipe testing I’ve been doing for the forthcoming Tupelo Honey Cafe Cookbook know that I am almost finished and in need of a major juice cleanse (and some soul-soothing, body [...]

Last summer, we held our first and very successful writing workshop in Seaside, FL. There were poignant stories, fish tacos, salted caramel cupcakes, wine, Champagne, the sea, a roving gourmand (aka Pableaux) who cooked up red beans and rice, twilight dancing, and so much more. I’ve received many requests to organize more writing workshops at [...]

I don’t know how books help but sometimes they do make us feel a little less alone… I’ve been very fortunate to participate in many Book Club meetings where readers have gathered to discuss Trail of Crumbs. The book lends itself to lots of good food and drink and some soul searching. It’s amazing how [...]

Here are some quick tasting notes from a few days spent in L.A.: At Susan Feniger’s Street, I discovered a new (to me) hangover remedy–Singapore-style–Toast spread with thick Kaya (coconut) jam that you dip into runny egg yolk drizzled with soy sauce. Author Pat Tanumihardja is working on a Kaya recipe to share but sent [...]

Am leaving the farm and decided to poach some peaches in Lillet Blanc to leave as a gift to my hosts, Charlie and Suvir. This recipe is the first in TRAIL OF CRUMBS. I love the pairing of Lillet Blanc with fresh lemon verbena. Basil or lemon thyme would be just as good.

The folks at Sundog Books in Seaside, FL were lovely to invite me to sign copies of TRAIL OF CRUMBS this Thursday June 25th starting at 10:30 a.m. Please come by and say hello.

Choosing only 5 winners for the Hachette Book Giveaway for Asian Heritage Month was a really difficult decision since the food memories were at turns funny, poignant, and heartfelt. The judges at kimsunee.com finally decided on 5 winners (see entries below). And a few runners-up who will receive a signed paperback edition of Trail of [...]