This week M+K sits across the table with Julie Van Rosendaal, Cookbook Author, Food Columnist on CBC Radio + Contributing Food Editor for The Globe + Mail. She talks with us about helping the community during the pandemic, the routines that keep her grounded and the life lessons she has learnt through cooking.
1. My cooking inspiration…
I’m so inspired by people – by the way they cook at home, for their families and friends. I’m constantly looking to friends’ family members to learn the techniques they have passed down between generations. Of course, I’m always inspired by the beautiful cookbooks that seem to constantly come out these days…and by the terroir, the seasons…if I’m on the west coast in early summer I’m inspired by rock shrimp, or by saskatoons on the prairies mid-late summer.
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
My dad’s favourite dinner was (and still is) the classy chicken from Best of Bridge! And butter tarts will always remind me of my grandma, who lived in Ontario.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
Food is something we all have in common…. we can all relate to it in some way. It’s a means to express love and comfort, kindness, to spread joy… there is nothing quite like cooking for someone to make them feel cared for. And no better way to get to know someone than to share a meal with them – particularly if you can cook for or with each other too.
4. When I want to be creative I…
I find reading gets my creative mind flowing.. and when I’m stuck, I sometimes take a shower. I find water -whether being out in the kayak if I happen to be on the west coast or even in the shower – helps me think and come up with ideas. Sometimes I flip through cookbooks or listen to podcasts, and I usually have music on at home.
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat was so usefully informative, well-written and presented. I also loved An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler. I love the way she approaches cooking, utilising leftovers, and using what you already have.
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
I’m not sure I have any! In summer, I do love getting up early, feeding the birds, making coffee and then watering my garden. It’s so simple, but I look forward to it so much.
7. I recently learnt…
To make jelly with dying peonies – it’s a gorgeous colour, with a sort of floral peach flavour. A delicious end to one of my favourite parts of early summer.
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
Last summer I was in line at a mini doughnut truck downtown – I had biked down with my son, and only had $5 in my pocket. We were pondering the menu, and I was telling him he could only buy the small bag, not the bucket, which was an extra $2, but which he wanted to share with his friend. The young (twenty-something) in front of us turned around and said here, you can have this – and gave us $2. She said “It’s OK, I just bought something that was on sale and didn’t expect so much change back. You can have it!” I almost cried over her kindness. These small acts make a big difference, and I hope my son remembers it too.
9. To make a difference in my community I…
I’ve always been engaged in my community, and do a lot of volunteer work…during the pandemic, I’ve been coordinating, preparing and distributing lunches through networks of volunteers in communities across the city, each of whom are reaching kids who have been disconnected from a key source of food via school breakfast and lunch programs. We feed about 1800 kids per week.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
My health, my family and friends, my home, and the fact that I don’t face the same struggles and obstacles so many do around the world. And that I get to do what I love – write and talk about food, and people – and cook!
Julie Van Rosendaal is the Calgary-based author of eleven best-selling cookbooks. She has been the food columnist on the Calgary Eyeopener on CBC Radio One for 14 years, is the contributing food editor for the Globe and Mail, and for the past twenty years has been a freelance food writer and columnist for other publications across Canada. Julie hosts a Canadian food podcast called Crispy Bits, and she teaches, speaks and cooks at culinary schools and events across the country. She has a very engaged audience on her social media channels and recipe website, Dinner with Julie.
To connect visit:
Website: dinnerwithjulie.com
Social: @dinnerwithjulie on all platforms!
