Elissa Altman is the author of Poor Man’s Feast: A Love Story of Comfort, Desire, and the Art of Simple Cooking and won a James Beard Award for the narrative blog of the same name.
Elissa Altman
Recent Articles
Every Onion Is a New Onion
Through the rhythm of daily cooking — and the guidance of a few Italian grandmothers — Elissa Altman discovers the importance of beginner’s mind.
Transcending Time with Umeboshi
Elissa Altman shares the story of "Grandma's Ghost," a 30-year-old Japanese <em>umeboshi</em> plum, and the healing it brought in this difficult time.
Simply Satisfying
Forget the complexities of "haute cuisine." Sometimes a simple, homey ingredient, fresh andwell-prepared, is what Elissa Altman craves.
Be Grateful for the Weeds
Shunyru Suzuki Roshi said “Be grateful for the weeds you have in your mind, because eventually they will enrich your practice." Elissa Altman describes how the same goes for your salad.
The Lesson of Broken Eggs
There are no ordinary eggs, says Elissa Altman, and when treated with respect and care, they just might be the world’s most mundane, perfect food.
Bread of Life
Making bread requires the acceptance of both the imperfect and the impermanent, says Elissa Altman. She shares her thoughts on the meditative process of bread making and a recipe for a bloomer loaf.
Meals That Heal the Heart
Her parents’ divorce meant angry mealtimes, but Elissa Altman found her way back to a nurturing table. She shares her tips on preparing and enjoying meals that heal yourself and others.