42 Comments
User's avatar
Bryony's avatar

Having bought 3 cauliflowers by mistake in online shop, am now making the soup! Thanks!

Expand full comment
Bryony's avatar

I love my asparagus pan! Will be making the soup...thank you x

Expand full comment
Fiona Whittaker's avatar

I wondered if scrackly bits was a typo - it's the perfect adjective for bacon!

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

Oh no. It is deliberate, invented by my friend Fi, and should definitely be in the OED.

Expand full comment
Ambermoggie's avatar

Thank you for a delicious recipe and a book recommendation.

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

You are so welcome.

Expand full comment
Alicia's avatar

That book sounds absolutely fascinating!

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

It really is jaw dropping.

Expand full comment
Annette Hardy's avatar

Wonderful post, thank you. I see from the comments that we're all buying cauliflowers and asparagus pans now. My late mother-in-law had one of those pans. I wish I knew what happened to it.

Expand full comment
Suzy Rowlands's avatar

I was given the Aunt Munca book as a gift - it’s simply unbelievable! I had to keep going back to check I was understanding everything correctly. The soup recipe, thank you - divine.

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

Yes, so much of it is quite astonishing, isn't it? Like you, I had to keep going back to reread bits.

Expand full comment
Erin Henderson's avatar

“Mainline the chlorophyll” - brilliant sentence. 💚

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Monica Miller's avatar

I’ve read the book about Aunt Munca and very much enjoyed it , and what a life she had and I can see why you are smitten with it and listening to the audio must give it an extra appeal..

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

It is very well read by Paul Blezard, too. He has just the right voice.

Expand full comment
Jean Lavigne's avatar

I think your latest post is going to start a run on asparagus pans! Like some others, I didn't know it existed and now I really want one. Asparagus is my absolute favorite vegetable, and the season is so short... My university in the US has unfortunately recently extended the semester into late May, which is dreadful: it's still too early for asparagus in Minnesota, but by the time I get to Lyon near the end of the month the season is pretty much over :-(

I completely agree about the cauliflower leaves - don't waste them! I mix them in with the (sliced) florets when I roast cauliflower in the oven and everyone fights over the leaves. They 're delicious!

Expand full comment
Jan Egan's avatar

Asparagus is my crack cocaine and like you, I (over) indulge to the max whilst we have the lovely local stuff. It also the season known as asparapee, a charming little word, courtesy of my husband...

Expand full comment
Mary Heseltine's avatar

Scrackly ! What a great word

Expand full comment
Annie Bennett's avatar

I won’t be able to see a cauliflower without the image of a severed head coming to mind now 😂

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

Sorry!

Expand full comment
Sarah Hardaker's avatar

PS. , Why is the spinach for one? does only one of you like it, or is spinach for one really enough for 2?!

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

That will literally cook down to a thimbleful.

Expand full comment
Sarah Hardaker's avatar

what a glorious read today. asparagus is reminding me of being in Frane for (chilly ) easter last year - and gorging on it daily , "scrackly bits" marvellous - a keeper of a description (not unlike @indiaknight colour description " trench coat" , loved the art history lesson - more please!! and the book recommendation . you are back in your writing groove xxxxx

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

“Crackly bits” is a phrase I have stolen, shamelessly, from my friend Fi. It is perfect isn't it?

Expand full comment
Sam's avatar

Oh thank you! The best thing to read first thing in the morning. Firstly a luscious recipe. I am off to the vegetable stall today to find a bright sweet cauli to make this. And then the asparagus porn. I had one of those asparagus saucepans in New Zealand and have never seen one since leaving it behind. Brought back many happy memories of being inundated with asparagus each season as my, then, brother-in-law had an asparagus market garden. And then an intriguing listen recommendation. Wishing you a wonderful and lovely Thursday and beyond.

Expand full comment
Debora Robertson 🦀's avatar

Honestly the asparagus pan is one of my best buys. I may only use it for a few weeks a year, but then I use it all the time! And it was really not expensive. Highly recommend. Thank you for the very kind words about my newsletter. Have a wonderful day.

Expand full comment