Food History

*The following was originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner. I’m always trying to recreate a specific piece of my lost youth: a paella I had while living with a wonderful family in Almeria, Spain on the Mediterranean coast. I honestly can’t remember the details of any other meal […]

Paella and the Reclamation of Youth

19 Jun, 2012 in Essays / Food & Culture / Food History / Main Fare by Madara

(This piece was originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner) Of all the Thanksgiving traditions I inherited from my family, “Always invite someone new” is my favorite. Over the years, this tradition has created some memorable feasts: I’ve reconnected with old friends, made new friends and watched as the “someone […]

Gratitude in a Pilgrim’s Hat

23 Nov, 2011 in Alaskan Cuisine / Essays / Food History by Madara

(This piece was originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner) People are sometimes surprised to find that I don’t own a blender, or a food processor or a spring-form pan. Recently a friend of mine was so appalled that I didn’t have what she referred to as a “proper spatula” […]

The Heart is a Muscle

24 Aug, 2011 in Alaskan Cuisine / Essays / Food History by Madara

(This piece was originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner) In his book “Street Food,” author Tom Kime wrote to “get a feel for the beating heart of any community, and to begin to understand a culture different from your own, you need to understand the food.” He’s right. For […]

Street Food or Something Like It

4 May, 2011 in Essays / Food & Culture / Food History by Madara

The Tart Little Piggy

a Food Writer and Her Library