Book Report: The Pollans Say, “Sit Down and Eat”
You might have heard of the Pollan family for a couple of reasons. One is that Michael Pollan is one of the most prolific and respected food writers out there. He’s the guy that wrote The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Food Rules, and In Defense of Food, those books that made us question where we’re getting our food from and encouraged us to eat the real stuff (see: not made by a machine). The other is that his sister Tracy Pollan is married to Michael J. Fox.
The family’s new cookbook, featuring recipes by Michael’s sisters and mama, is quick to admit that the Pollan family is not made up of professional chefs, but rather of home cooks who like to gather around the table and eat from the same pot. The introduction points out that some recipes have been “simplified to accommodate today’s busy lifestyles and modernized to reflect our healthier food choices.” The result is meals that are indulgent but not repulsively so; healthy-ish, but not painfully so. Like, a dash of butter rather than a vat of it.
In the foreword, Michael Pollan points out that “A sandwich is the most popular meal in America today, both at lunch and dinner.” The implication is that that’s, well, sad.
The Pollans are telling us to sit back down at our table and talk to one another. And that, whether it’s with family or friends, is something we can get behind.
We made the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Pecorino Cheese and the Herb and Garlic Crusted Rack of Lamb. Both turned out perfectly (we really impressed ourselves) and the process took under an hour (which most of their recipes do). The only bone we had to pick was that the time of preparation is not listed on the recipes, leaving you to do some math and estimation to figure it out.
Besides the recipes, we loved the helpful segments in the beginning: The Pollan Pantry, a list of ingredients should always be stocked, Essential Utensils, a list of the tools you’ll need, Culinary ABCs, a vocab breakdown, and Sage Advice which is like if your grandma was giving you tips about cooking. Except she’s nicer. And her food is good.
Though the Pollans point out that these recipes are easy enough for weeknights, we’re sure our rack of lamb would impress at a dinner party. The other thing we’re sure of? That Michael J. Fox is eating well tonight.
Start With
CRISPY PARMESAN ZUCHINI CHIPS
Entree
TERYAKI-GLAZED SALMON
Sides
FARRO-VEGETABLE PILAF
Dessert
JACK’S BROWNIE COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
