THE KASBAH CHRONICLES: Bitter Sweet cookbook award, and more glowing reviews
THE KASBAH CHRONICLES: Bitter Sweet cookbook award, and more glowing reviews
Updates on Bitter Sweet and news from my kasbah; Kitty heads to San Francisco and Omnivore Books, en anglais and en français
January 2024
Musings
First, an email scam warning
Please note if you "follow" me on Facebook (I very rarely post on Facebook.) My "messenger" account on Facebook (which I avoid), has been hacked. Before replying or clicking on REPLY to a message that comes from "KittyMorse", check out the sender by clicking on the small arrow to the right of my name. If recipients click on the “http:” link, the sender will be able to hack into their computer. Check the sender's address and DO NOT click on it if it doesn't come from Kitty Morse.com directly). I much prefer getting emails than messages.
HELP ME PLEASE!!!
A Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Bitter Sweet
Orange County Register review and audio version
Kitty is headed to San Francisco in February
MUSINGS:
HELP!
I am giving a presentation at the Vista (CA) public library on Saturday, January 27th from 1 to 3PM.
At first, a librarian explained to me that the library no longer booked speakers because their attendance is too low... I would like to prove them wrong, that there is an audience in Vista and surrounding areas. Will you help me? Please let your circle of friends know, and maybe we can surprise the Vista librarians.
Dear readers, you know by now that I trying to adapt to my new life after the death of my husband. Last year feels like a blur, but I did manage to accomplish important goals: Publish and market Bitter Sweet (may I repeat that it got an award in food history at the Gourmand World Cookbook fair in 2023 which validates our 3 years of work on the book, visit Alsace Lorraine, the land of my Alsatian ancestors, most of whom died in the Holocaust; meet new friends in Châlons-en-Champagne and Rosières-aux-Salines, two French towns my ancestors used to live in; give of presentations on zoom and in person, and most especially stay connected to friends.
It has been wonderful to reconnect with many readers in person. I love speaking to intimate groups, university classes, library events, and book clubs in and around Southern CA.
I thank those of you who have suggested book stores I can contact in your area. Please keep names coming, that is the best way for me to spread the word about Bitter Sweet.
Need an entertaining and informative speaker to give a presentation to your group? I am YOUR WOMAN! CALL or e-mail me! I am booking now for the summer and Fall.
Chers amis francophiles et francophones, merci de me lire. Et bonne année à tous.
Je serai ravie de répondre à vos questions sur mon dernier livre. Reproduit en version française par Le Petit Catalaunien illustré. Vente et Info: catalaunien@gmail.com
Bitter Sweet in the media:
Recipes: Make these dishes from Occupied France in World War II
Tuesday, January 16th 2024
Orange County Register
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/01/15/recipes-make-these-dishes-from-occupied-france-in-world-war-ii/
Recipes: Make these dishes from Occupied France in World War II - Orange County Register
Kitty Morse wrote 'Bitter Sweet: A Wartime Journal and Heirloom Recipes from Occupied France' based on the writings of her great-grandparents.
includes an audio version
AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR BITTER SWEET
Best in World (2023) Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
page 234: Food History, 3rd place
DO5 LIFESTYLE
https://www.cookbookfair.com/images/pdf/29th-Gourmand-Awards-2023-Saudi-Feast-Food-Festival
Kitty in the media: Châlons-en-Champagne in the footsteps of my ancestors.
https://winedineandtravelmagazine.com/wdt/dubrovnik/
https://winedineandtravelmagazine.com/wdt/dubrovnik/index.html#p=124
p. 124 Châlons
Recipe:
I love this bean soup from my first cookbook published in the US. I mentioned previously, that as soon as a few drops of rain fall around here (which is rare!) I turn into Pavlov's dog and head to the kitchen to make soup.
In doing research for The California Farm Cookbook (Pelican 1994), I visited the Basque community of Bakersfield(CA) and obtained this recipe. This is one of my favorites to make in my crock pot (slow cooker).
Vegetarian Basque Lima Bean Soup
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
reproduced from The California Farm Cookbook by Kitty Morse (Pelican Publishing 1994)
"A little over a century ago, Robert McAllister carried home to the coastal valley south of Santa Barbara a few beans he had acquired while visiting a Peruvian ship anchored offshore. Little did he realize that his historic encounter would give birth to an entire industry, centered exclusively in California. The origins of the large Lima bean, as the name implies, traces its origins to Lima, Peru. The cultivation of the tasty Lima bean took off like a brush fire along the coastal valleys of Ventura County, and today, accounts for seventeen percent of the state's dry bean crop. In California, Lima beans have long been part of the daily fare of Basque sheepherders, who savor this heartwarming soup while tending to their flocks during their seasonal migration to the High Sierras. This full-flavored, meatless dish freezes well, but be sure to freeze beans and cooking liquid in separate containers. To reheat, recombine the liquid and the beans. For a quick version, substitute two large cans of Lima beans for the dried variety. "
1 lb. dry, large Lima beans
1/4 cup vegetable oil or margarine
1 cup diced onion
1 1/2 cups diced celery
1/4 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups whole or low fat milk
One 15oz. can stewed tomatoes
One 15oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
A dash of Tabasco sauce (optional)
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Pre-cook beans according to quick soak method (see below.) Do not drain, and set aside to cool.
In large soup pot, heat oil or margarine, and cook the onions and celery, stirring occasionally. Blend in flour, and salt and pepper to taste. Add milk in steady stream, and stir. Add beans in their cooking liquid, and bring to a simmer. Add tomatoes and corn. Cover, and let soup simmer for 45 to 50 minutes. Just before serving, stir in Monterey Jack cheese, and adjust the seasonings. Add hot sauce if desired, or serve it on the side. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve.
Note: The California Dry Bean Advisory Board; recommends the following methods for soaking dry Lima beans, sometimes called butterbeans.
Quick soak: In a large saucepan, combine 8 cups hot water and 1 lb. California dry Limas. Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and set aside for one hour. Do not drain if beans are for immediate use.
Overnight soak: In a large bowl, combine large Lima beans with 8 cups cold water. Soak overnight, unrefrigerated. The next day, drain beans and proceed with recipe using fresh water. When soaking dried beans, the beans' thick skin will separate and float to the surface. This will in no way affect the flavor.
Come and chat with Kitty!
Vista (CA) Library
700 Eucalyptus Avenue, Vista CA
Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 1 to 3PM
Presentation and book signing
contact: Leslie Ann Masland
leslie.masland@sdcounty.ca.gov
San Diego County Libraries: Vista
O 760-643-5100 │ D 760-643-5113
San Francisco (CA)
Omnivore Books
Tuesday, February 13th, 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Presentation and book signing
Books Inc. Palo Alto, Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real, #74
Palo Alto CA 94301
Wednesday, February 14th, 6 to 7PM
Presentation and book signing
contact: gseamer@booksinc.net
COMING IN February: New cookbook store! A heads up!
Matt, owner
Kitchen Lingo Books
2116 E. 4th Street
Long Beach, CA 90814
shop@kitchenlingobooks.com
I will be giving a talk at Kitchen Lingo in Long beach (CA) on February 24 from 1-2pm
Author Event: Book Signing with Kitty Morse, author of Bitter Sweet: A Wartime Journal & Heirloom Recipes From Occupied France.
A story of trauma, community, racism, and resilience, Kitty Morse weaves together her great-grandfathers journals, letters, and family recipes in this cookbook / memoir that grew from a little suitcase she discovered in her late mother’s closet.
NOTE: Kitchen Lingo does Food tours! Kitchen Lingo Books 2116 E. 4th Street, Long Beach, CA 90814
https://www.kitchenlingobooks.com
2/3 SOLD OUT Mushroom Hunt with Jess Starwood, author of Mushroom Wanderland. SOLD OUT (But there will be others - ask about the waiting list)
SUBSTACK READERS: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE to read about in these chronicles?? DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON MOROCCAN CUISINE??
As you probably noted, the Kasbah Chronicles is sent to paid and free subscribers. I will send this one to both parties, and will upgrade the one for paid subscribers with more recipes, chit chat in English and en français, and more.
I love feedback!
Bon Appétit and Bismillah
hello Kitty,
So sorry for your tragic loss, stay strong.
Seattle is a wonderful opportunity to promote your book.
The following is a listing of venues that host author talks:
The Book Larder (a cook book store)
The Elliot Bay Book Co
University book store
hope this is helpful and take very good care,
big hug,
julieb
Hi Kitty! So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. It’s admirable that you’ve been able to continue to do all the work in support of your book while dealing with this loss.
There’s an independent bookstore called Pages in Manhattan Beach that you might contact. They host authors on a regular basis. Here’s a link: https://www.pagesabookstore.com/