Just a little update

A couple of things: 1. I laughed out loud at your mentioning "raising red flags" and then China. 2. I have my own bookstore, with a cooking demonstration station and we've done A LOT of cook book author signings. I have already pitched the publisher hard to get you for your book tour and I've shipped out 1000's of signed cook books for authors to places all around the world. Can't wait for the book!

So I would love to see your make the earliest known strawberry shortcake recipe! As someone who grew up making it with angel-food cake, the revelation that true shortcake is something else entirely was shocking when I got older. And even that has changed since the creation of baking soda! I also second the comment about Jewish holiday foods. There are some great creators you could collab with. Snappydragon comes to mind.

CJ

I would also love to see an episode about Turkish Delight!

I have loved the Scottish episodes so far. A meetup in Houston, TX would be great - not sure if there are any book tour stops scheduled there. Concerning holiday foods, have you done an episode yet on King Cake or Fruitcake? History of fondue?

Hi Max, It would be great to learn about Jewish holiday foods!

It might be a little late, but this coming week is Yom Kippur (the Jewish day of atonement). It is a fast day, so there is a ton of tradition around what goes into breaking that fast (it depends upon the various different communities). There are a lot of rules of what it can be, because obviously you can't actually cook on the day itself, and you don't want to have the smell permeating the house during the fast itself. If not this year, it could be interesting for next year.

Exciting news! Silphium has been rediscovered growing in Turkey! {National geographic has an article on it}

I’d love to see a holiday episode on Latkes (aka Kartoffelpuffer, etc) and their significance as a Hanukkah symbolic food. So many cultures also make this yummy dish and it’s so interesting.

Meredith

Max - A Christmas suggestion for around Christmas: Lucia buns! These are made in Swedish homes on Santa Lucia Day (Dec. 13th) and has a whole pageantry around them. the eldest daughter wears a white gown and has a crown of lit candles on her head. She symbolizes the Roman martyr saint (St Lucy of Syracuse died 304) who is a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters. (Santa Lucia is said to have had her She serves her parents coffee and Lucia (saffron flavored) buns (tradition from around 1880s). The other children can play roles too -- star boys or handmaidens to assist St. Lucia. Lots more history I'm sure. (Growing up in Brooklyn, NY I always did this for my parents on Dec. 13th -- but my dad (the non-Swede) would quietly complain about eating in bed!)

Thanks for the update! My 5 year old daughter said it's nice to see you "in Max mode, not cooking mode":) We would love to see an episode on the "History of Fruit Cake" for the holidays!

Bon voyage ... Safe and Happy travels to HI

Phyllis Alden

Pre-orders and just a-waiting.... :)

OMGOMGOMG Mr. Miller have you seen this news?! They rediscovered Silphium!! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/miracle-plant-eaten-extinction-2000-years-ago-silphion

Nyani-Iisha

A meetup would be super fun! If you're ever in New England, I would try to go. As for ideas.. I've heard that the traditional Christmas dish in Eastern Europe is carp, but I don't know anything about that and I'd love to learn how that came to be.

Yes.

If this is too personal, forgive me, but are you Michael Pondsmith’s wife?

Um, I'm upset that in our insane outsourcing economy China dictates what American authors can say.

Umberto Hecko

Max, if you want Samhain food and if you haven’t done soul cakes yet, I have a good recipe for them I can share. We cooked them last year at Old City Park with some other dishes last year.

I forgot to say thanks for everything. My husband and I look forward to your "show" every week.

I know people who do print in China and the supply lines are crazy right now. Yes, it would seem like one would want gloss but it's not true. You especially want to remember people aren't just reading the book, they're setting it on the counter or propping it up against the flour cannister. People will be looking at it a thousand different angles and gloss will make that much harder. I've said it before but TURKISH DELIGHT/ Rahat loukum (sp?)

Figgy Pudding for xmas holiday? Pagan foods for Samhain?

Kenkire Knight

I’m going to ask some Chinese friends if they have any idea about why the rice ball story was problematic. The Chinese government is crazy. They probably know all about you and that your walls are painted an enchanting peacock blue. I’m looking forward to the book!

Mary Roberts

Christmas suggestion: when did turkey supplant goose in the Anglo world?

Diana Patterson

Great to hear an update from you! Have a great trip to Hawaii, and happy anniversary!

Adrian Slider