Food news antipasto

For the past few months, Jay Rayner has been focusing on classic cookbooks that have had a significant and lasting impact on the way he cooks. For his last column in the series, instead of focusing on a cookbook, he turns his attention to a collection most of us have tucked away somewhere: a binder or scrapbook filled with clippings and handwritten recipes. For Rayner, it is a “collection of recipes cut from magazines and newspapers, photocopied from a friend’s book or scribbled down by a relative. It is an unplanned collage of a good life, or a feverish attempt at one, measured out in ingredients, volumes and oven temperatures.”

Cardamom is a spice used in cuisines across the globe, celebrated in Scandinavia more so than almost any other region. Data from the UN indicates that Sweden consumes 18 times more cardamom per capita than the median country, while Norway consumes almost 30 times more. How did this southern Indian spice make its way to Scandinavia and become so popular there? Cook’s Illustrated traces cardamom’s route to the northland, and explores the qualities that made it become Scandinavia’s favorite spice.

Several weeks ago I wrote about my admiration of the grapefruit spoon, and it turns out I’m not alone in appreciating this humble yet useful tool. Writing at Eater, Rachel Levin pens a defense of the grapefruit spoon which despite its name is anything but a uni-tasker. She also explores the joys of other hyper-specific silverware.

Rye whiskey fans take note: there is a new rye in town – if you are lucky enough to find it. Leopold Bros. latest concoction, a rye made in a triple-chamber still, makes its debut this month in select US locations (possible paywall). The triple-chamber still was nearly extinct, but thanks to the determination of Todd Leopold the fiddly system has been resurrected to create a whiskey filled with subtle nuance. Curious about how such a contraption works? You can watch a video of the unique still in action.

Cherry Bombe Magazine’s most recent issue is all about US national treasure Julia Child. In honor of Julia’s contributions to cooking, the magazine is celebrating her life and legacy with a virtual conference from April 22 – 29. The kickoff event features Stanley Tucci and Ina Garten. Learn more about The Julia Jubilee at the Cherry Bombe website. A ticket purchase is required for The Kick-Off Conversation with Stanley & Ina, but all other events are free of charge.