The crazier the world gets, the more we depend on our phones, the more we crave basic human connection. And what better way to connect with family and friends than over a delicious dinner? Sam Sifton gets that. As the Food Editor for The New York Times, he understands both the hectic schedule of daily life and that inner drive for fellowship with others. And he’s come up with some ideas that can help us all, starting with chicken.
Really, he starts his new cookbook, See You on Sunday, with a bunch of good information about how to plan and create a weekly supper that will feed and sustain the soul as well as the body. He talks the practical advice of picking wine, setting the table, even warming the plates—all the details that help provide the hospitality without formality. But then he moves on to the best part—the food.
There is a big chapter on chicken. Why is that? Because it’s one of our favorite foods here in America, and it’s relatively inexpensive. A couple of roast chickens can go in the oven with just some simple seasoning, and an hour or so later, you have a hearty dinner. Or maybe you don’t want to do just another roast chicken. Then try the recipe for Chicken Adobo, Chicken Milanese, Chicken Paprika, Chicken Provencal, Chicken Shawarma, or Oven-Roasted Buffalo Chicken Wings.
From there the ideas go to Big Meats. Pulled pork, ribs, pork chops, ham, roast beef, brisket, steaks, lamb. Then he talks Big Pots, like Chili, Gumbo, Beef Stew, Beef Stroganoff, and Mapo Ragu.. There are recipes for pastas, beans, rice, seafood, vegetables. There are a few words about salads, tips about serving breads, ideas for desserts.
And because Sifton understands us, there is an entire chapter on Taco Night, and another just on pizza.
The most important thing about these recipes is that they meet us where we are. He’s not trying to get us to create a whole different lifestyle. He doesn’t want us to throw formal dinner parties (or if we do, to make those separate from these Sunday suppers). He wants us to create meals that nourish our relationships and our spirits as well as our bodies. He gives us thoughtful options for keeping our grocery bill low or for stepping out of our comfort zone and trying something new. He doesn’t care about the Instagram-worthiness of the food. He just wants it to taste good, and for those gathered to enjoy themselves.
See You on Sunday is a big cookbook with lots of gorgeous photos. But they’re not the glossy, magazine styled (overly styled) pages that you might expect from an Important Cookbook. The photos make the food craveable but realistic, honest, pure. This book is written from the perspective of a friend who you asked for advice on what to serve for dinner. He just has a bigger idea of what your dinner should be, and he wants you to jump on board and get excited about the idea too.
And you know what? For me, I think it worked. I love this idea, and while I’m not sure we can pull off this kind of meal every week, we can certainly try to do it more often. Especially with all these lovely recipes to try out!
I’ve received a free copy of See You on Sunday from Random House in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
