What a great story! Thanks for introducing Bircher muesli with a tale of making toast for Paul McCartney! Pedantic me, as usual, however, needs to ask about the Roman "polenta porridge." Given that maize was a New World plant and part of the Columbian Exchange, Roman porridge would have to have been made of other grains. A quick Google search shows that polenta can include other grains than maize, but it seems a bit misleading to call the Roman variety polenta porridge. N'est-ce pas?
When yogurt (and milk) is skimmed or even semi-skimmed, so much of the nutritional benefit of milk goes down the drain against a very minimal calorie-count gain that it's hardly worth eating. And non-fat yogurt made solid by the addition of gelatin just adds the calories of the gelatin without any perceptible other value. I have never been able to understand how it gained popularity.
That's really such a lift to hear! The days when editors gave feedback are a thing of the past. They tend not to give it now, good or bad, so your reaction is more encouraging than you can imagine. Thank you.
Writing is a lonely act! It’s only the comments of readers that keep me going. I always enjoy reading your essays, Julia, and hope you realize it isn’t a thankless task.
Make mine granola!
I used to agree! But on the chilly often rainy west coast of Scotland, those slow release-carbs oats were so sustaining .
Great piece, Julia!! I may prefer the reading to the eating, but it does go down delightfully!!
xxx Catherine
Thank you for your generous words! It makes a massive difference to hear them. xxx
I have a million things to say but will restrict myself to praising chilaquiles to high heat, the dish that's so wrong it's right.
I have yet to try them at breakfast time. My edible as opposed to drinkable breakfast takes place not before noon. Viva brunch!
I think one could make a killing by opening a breakfast shop in a hip neighborhood serving those ancient “breakfasts of the poor” you describe.
And, I think I might try that popcorn in milk approach to get my kids to eat a little more in the morning — it’s a Colonial Breakfast!
Let me know how Popcorn Cereal goes down. Sounds like the bowl left outside overnight after a barbecue.
What a great story! Thanks for introducing Bircher muesli with a tale of making toast for Paul McCartney! Pedantic me, as usual, however, needs to ask about the Roman "polenta porridge." Given that maize was a New World plant and part of the Columbian Exchange, Roman porridge would have to have been made of other grains. A quick Google search shows that polenta can include other grains than maize, but it seems a bit misleading to call the Roman variety polenta porridge. N'est-ce pas?
I agree - and stand corrected!
I entirely agree about non-fat and low-fat yogurt. Definitely going to try this for breakfast or maybe lunch
When yogurt (and milk) is skimmed or even semi-skimmed, so much of the nutritional benefit of milk goes down the drain against a very minimal calorie-count gain that it's hardly worth eating. And non-fat yogurt made solid by the addition of gelatin just adds the calories of the gelatin without any perceptible other value. I have never been able to understand how it gained popularity.
So enjoyed reading this..love your thoughts your writing and the amazing research ..thank you
That's really such a lift to hear! The days when editors gave feedback are a thing of the past. They tend not to give it now, good or bad, so your reaction is more encouraging than you can imagine. Thank you.
Writing is a lonely act! It’s only the comments of readers that keep me going. I always enjoy reading your essays, Julia, and hope you realize it isn’t a thankless task.
It's really good to have support - the Likes and Comments
that encourage the picking up of the pen each week.
Your remix is a blast! I'm dancing at the stove. Thank you for the link.