Brand New Recipe

A Note to Readers

When I started Modern Girls Kitchen in 2005, this business of "food blogging" was still in its infancy - so new, in fact, it could hardly be called a business. But, of course, that's what happens when things catch on. They get big. And the space gets cluttered.

From Farm Girl Fare to Becks & Posh and KitchenMage, my early comrades have been joined by a swarm of foodies looking - no pun intended - for a piece of the pie. In the process, so many blogs (this one included) became so cluttered with ads, promos and links that I began to feel as if the spirit of what I set out to do was being lost.

So it was time to take a break.

A 10 month sabbatical, to be precise. During that time, I thought a lot about whether or not to carry on with Modern Girls Kitchen - or to simply call it a day, move on to something else, and say goodbye.

Instead of walking away, however, I decided to rework the recipe, so to speak. And what you see here is the result. Part original Modern Girls Kitchen, part fresh perspective. Because great food and great entertaining shouldn't be a distant aspiration (you know what I mean - the old "if-I-do-this-I'll-be-just-like-Martha/Nigella/Rachel/Padma/Giarda/Ina/insert-name-here" approach). Instead, the best meals, the best parties, the best gatherings should (and can) be real, down-to-earth and personal. And they should start where the good ones always end up - in the kitchen.

Sure, many of us (me included) still aspire to a lifestyle that affords enough time to hand-grind spices, make near-daily trips to the farmer's market, build a personal relationship with the butcher (not that kind of relationship), and handcraft our own vanilla essence with whole vanilla beans and vodka. But my reality, at least, is a little different. Most days I'm bouncing like a pinball between work, gym, social gatherings and that little thing called "having a life". And that means most of the time I'm a lot more likely to buy the spices, drink the vodka and settle for takeout.

And that's the purpose of Modern Girls Kitchen. Because the vodka is one thing, but I don't want to settle for takeout. And I don't believe cooking should be reserved only for when there's company. Time spent in the kitchen - whether it's five minutes or five hours - is time spent nurturing our bodies, our spirits and our souls. It sounds trite but it's true: the simple, vital practice of putting food on the table for yourself and others is a pleasure that connects us all.

I hope, in relaunching this blog, to share just how true that can be - whether it's through a simple weeknight meal for one, a fabulous meal for a crowd, or one of life's many celebrations. In that spirit, I hope the time you share with me in Modern Girls Kitchen is as inspiring and relaxing as time spent in your own.

Thanks for reading and welcome back.

Salut, cheers and bon appetite!

Emma

p.s. A little but important thank you to my dear friend Ellen for turning one of my photographs into this new site banner and for her design support on this site. You can see more of her graphic design work here.