Episode 1! Show notes and recipes
In which we cover Heartburn the book, reading and cooking through new motherhood and life and lots more.
We are live! Our very first episode of Something to Eat and Something to Read is now on the airwaves and we so hope you enjoy listening to this friendly, gentle chat about one of our all time favourite books Heartburn, about how books and cooking can help us navigate through the fog of early motherhood, and life in general.
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
One thing to note, we had a microphone mishap in this first recording - so if Germaine’s voice sounds a little far away, please bear with us because you get used to it and she says so much good stuff! Also, we’ve sorted the problem so it won’t worry us any more after this episode.
Below please find all the links to all the things we discussed in this episode plus a recipe or two.
But first - three huge thanks…
To our very first podcast sponsor, Wonder and Cherish; exploring motherhood, and collecting memories & moments with young families. We’re going to hear more from Meaghan (above) from Wonder and Cherish in a special newsletter next week where this new Mum (who also used to work in a book store, specialising in kids books) will recommend a good recipe and some good books for kids and adults too.
To the songbirds Sophie and Abby of Smith and Jones who we are working with on the music for our podcast. In this episode, we were lucky enough to feature their song Secondhand Heart. I love love love their music.
To our podcast producer Kristy Reading who we feel so incredibly lucky to have on the team and who does a great cameo with a fab recommendation too.
This episode’s book
For our very first episode we chose to talk about Nora Ephron’s beloved book Heartburn and the ‘shape’ it left on both of us.
Links to things we mention and things we love
Nora Ephron on a ‘symphony orchestra; of a sandwich for the New Yorker. Also from the New Yorker, Why Heartburn is an ideal audiobook.
Sophie’s chicken pancake recipe.
Food 52’s Play me a Recipe podcast.
Wonderful podcast interview with the late Nora on her writing career and owning your story.
Still Life by Sarah Winman; a book Sophie is currently reading, Germaine has it on her TBR pile and it may make an appearance in episode 2…
Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin, and a gorgeous debrief about the book on Sentimental Garbage.
Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin, with Germaine’s favourite quote “I don’t call it gossip, I call it emotional speculation”.
And, if we have piqued your curiosity about Laurie Colwin’s writing, read this article celebrating all her books.
Our producer Kristy Reading's recommendation is My Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton
Galah magazine as mentioned by Meaghan from our sponsor Wonder and Cherish.
Germaine’s book prescription
Where the Hornbeam Grows by Beth Lynch
I chose this book for our letter writer as I was struck by her awareness of how nature and working in her garden grounds her in the midst of raising a baby and toddler. I wanted to continue that feeling of groundedness throughout her evenings.
Beth created a garden to help her deal with the loneliness of moving countries and I think motherhood can be a bit like moving countries. There is a culture shock, new language, new relationships to create and an adjustment of identity.
What helped Beth during her transition was grounding herself first in the memory of her childhood garden and then creating this new one. She writes “I believed that if I had a garden now, a green space to tend, I could put down roots and belong to something, be ok.”
I think gardens are also a good metaphor for raising children. “The garden is its own place and reveals things on its own terms. It teaches me how little I know, and it teaches me about belonging… I belong to the garden.” I hope our letter writer finds solace and nourishment in this memoir.
Sophie’s recipe recommendation
Simple Harira Soup
A pared down take on the classic Moroccan harira, which is traditionally served during Ramadan to break the daily fast at sunset, this is a gorgeous, filling and healthy soup that I have been making and serving for lunches at home and workshops for many years. If you want to bulk it up a bit, add some chopped chicken thigh pieces or diced lamb shoulder (about 600g of each) when adding the spices. This recipe comes from my book A Basket by the Door, Sophie x
20g butter
1 onion, diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
600g chicken thigh pieces
2 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 x 400g tin chickpeas or 3/4 cup (125g) dried chickpeas, soaked then cooked until tender
1/2 cup (100g) red lentils
1 cup coriander leaves
1 cup parsley leaves
750ml chicken stock
Turkish bread, to serve
Place the butter in a heavy-based saucepan and melt, add onion and cook for five minutes or until soft and translucent. Add the spices and chicken and cook for another five minutes, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, lentils, herbs and stock and cook at a gentle simmer for about half an hour minutes. Stir through the coriander and serve with warmed Turkish bread and a few extra parsley and coriander leaves.
How to write to us!
If you would like a book and recipe recommendation to help navigate life at the moment, please write to us. Each letter we answer will also receive a bottle of wine from Single Vineyard Sellers. Click here to find out more about their wines on offer.
Email your letters to either Sophie at sophie_hansen@me.com or Germaine at newchaptersbibliotherapy@gmail.com
We would love to hear from you!
Sophie & Germaine x
We acknowledge that the land on which we work and live is the traditional land of the Wiradjuri Nation and Wallumedegal people. These people are the Traditional Custodians of this land and form part of the wider Aboriginal nation known as the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people.