Dear January
Before the holidays, I used to say that you could post my diet on the home page of the
Where in years past I would recommend half a pound of poultry or meat per person — two pounds for four people — I now think that two pounds serves six. Two vegetables go onto the plate at night, along with a salad.
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Less fat, less creamy pasta, less creamy sauce, less of everything. And so on. We've heard all this too many times and again at the start of every year, January, you remind us in your own inimitable, slightly intimidating, way.
But it's frigid out there and I need a warm, satisfying meal.
So, brutal January, I am beginning your month with something like Vietnamese pho. This big bowl of soup with meat and crunchy garnishes such as bean sprouts, is a long-simmered process.
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My Quick Pho doesn't have the depth that gives
Before the breasts go into the pot, I cover them with boiling water to remove some of the impurities that might cloud the broth. Then shred a little of the meat before returning it to the pot. (The rest of the meat is for chicken salad; you need to cook extra breasts to give the broth a meaty flavor.)
I add cooked rice vermicelli noodles and a lot of cilantro or parsley. You need bean sprouts and sriracha. It's a simple bowl, nourishing, filling, spicy, and warming during this cruel month.
January, you are right about so many things. It's just hard to acknowledge them all at once. Be gentle with your millions of followers. We're recharging and a little less scowl on your part would be helpful.
By the way, Happy New Year.
Your frenemy,
Sheryl Julian
Sheryl Julian can be reached at
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