Read, Eat, Go: “Splinters,” Main Course-Worthy Cauliflower, and Boone

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. I’ve spent the last three days in parallel Kate Middleton and Justin and Hailey Bieber rabbit holes, so this weekend, I’ll be catching up on everything I missed. That includes the news that we are now entering an era of extremely quirky hats and that some parents are paying $10,000 for over-the-top newborn photo shoots. Not to mention, the real MVP of this week’s NBA games: this excellently dressed eight year old. Oh and just when I thought I was done with soup season, I discovered Blackberry Soup. Needless to say, I’m intrigued.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

“Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story” by Leslie Jamison

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Leslie Jamison was not the first woman to become separated when her child was 13 months old, but it’s rare to get such an intimate account of that messy, overwhelming, exhausting experience — especially from a writer of Jamison’s caliber. “Splinters” charts the course of her new life as a single parent, one where — as the book’s title implies — she often feels like she has one foot in multiple different lives. The one constant is her love for her daughter, making this a can’t-miss, moving look at motherhood from one of our favorite essayists. We had the chance to ask Jamison a few questions:

Q: You’re known for using hybrid forms — mixing personal narrative with journalism and cultural criticism — but “Splinters” is strictly memoir. Why the change?

Jamison: For me, every book is its own world — with its own gravity, its own rhythms, its own rules — and very early on “Splinters” told me what it wanted to be: Close to my life. Close to my days. Close to my body. I wanted it to feel intimate and close, a deep dive into emotional experience. 

Every time I fell into the familiar grooves of my old ways — a riff about the fascinating history of divorce laws in America, for example, and the early days of women staying in Reno hotels while their divorces finalized in Nevada — I felt the text was almost allergic to these digressions. They felt grafted-on, as if they were taking me away from the heat of the story. This project taught me what it wanted to be, and I listened.

Q: In many ways, “Splinters” reads like a love letter to your daughter. Did writing about motherhood change your experience of it?

Jamison: Writing “Splinters” absolutely changed my relationship to motherhood: It helped me double-down on my commitment to witnessing and taking note of all the ordinary moments of our days … It also helped me think about autonomy and independence as part of our bond, rather than forces working against it. As my daughter gets older, I’m grateful for the ways we bring the world back to each other, rather than simply experiencing it as this two-headed creature made of milk and sleeplessness.

Q: What’s the best book you’ve read recently and why?

Jamison: I absolutely loved Deborah Taffa’s memoir, “Whiskey Tender,” which came out just this week. It’s a memoir about growing up Native in America — inside the incredible beauty and richness of that history, along with its pain and injustice — and a memoir about family, all the complexities of loving and being loved by imperfect but passionate human beings, and it’s just as intoxicating and intimate as its title suggests.

A Five-Step, Main Course-Worthy Cauliflower Dish

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Welcome to “Sprinter,” that awkward period between winter and spring — which, in our experience, is one of the hardest times to figure out what to cook. You’re over winter’s heavy braises and stews, but you’re not quite ready for spring’s bounty of salads and fresh produce. One great in-between? This Roasted Cauliflower with Fried Caper Gremolata from Dishing Out Health. The crispy, spiced florets are piled on top of garlicky yogurt and served with an herby gremolata — so it’s hearty, but also tangy and bright. Think of it as the culinary equivalent of transitional dressing. 

The Time Commitment: Even though this recipe has a few components (the cauliflower, gremolata, and yogurt), it only takes 35 to 45 minutes. You prepare the sauce and spread while the cauliflower roasts. To speed things up even further, you could purchase pre-cut cauliflower florets.

Key Tip: Any herby sauce works here. You can swap the gremolata for a basil pesto sauce, a green goddess dressing, a green tahini sauce, or a chimichurri — all of which will deliver the same zippy punch.

Try it With: A glass of Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the flavors of the gremolata, and some naan or pita — ideal for soaking up leftover sauce. If you’re planning to serve it as a side, it’ll pair nicely with roasted chicken or grilled steak.

Other Takes: There are endless ways to get in on the cauliflower craze, thanks to the vegetable’s versatility. For a twist on the usual Taco Tuesday lineup, consider BBQ or Chipotle-Roasted Cauliflower Tacos. Or, for other meatless meal ideas, you could try General Tso’s Cauliflower, Aloo Gobi, or Cauliflower Gnocchi. Not to mention, you can’t go wrong with classic Cauliflower Parmesan.

The Low-Key, Asheville Alternative

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Asheville may get all the glory when it comes to mountain towns in North Carolina, but there’s a lesser-known destination that’s just as cool, just as charming, and less crowded. Boone, or the “Heart of the High Country,” is located about two hours north of Charlotte and offers many of the same attractions as Asheville — notable breweries and restaurants, lively music and art scenes, and all sorts of outdoorsy activities.

🛏 In recent years, roadside motels across the US have experienced a makeover — going from dated accommodations to stylish escapes. That includes Rhode’s Motor Lodge, which reopened last October. Expect wood furnishings, upholstered headboards, and communal fire pits.

⛰️ Given its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures. For a casual stroll or bike ride, check out the 25 miles of carriage trails at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park or the Boone Greenway, which goes from one end of the town to the other. But for something more challenging, hike the 1.9-mile Summit Trail to the top of Elk Knob. A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway can be equally rewarding.

🛍️ With an eclectic mix of stores and galleries, it’s easy to spend a few hours — or more — exploring Boone’s downtown area. Make sure to stop by: Mast General Store, which has everything from kitchenware to old-timey candy; Watsonatta Western World for a pair of cowboy boots; and Doe Ridge Pottery, popular for its local art. After that, see what’s happening at the Appalachian Theatre, which host concerts, film festivals, and more.

🍴 For a sweet start to your day, pick up one of the seasonal pastries at Stick Boy Bread Co. Then for a proper Southern meal, make a dinner reservation at, well, Proper (do not miss the fried chicken or catfish and collards). Or, for a taste of the craft beer scene, head to Lost Province Brewing Co., which is also known for its wood-fired pizzas and weekly live music.

Same vibes, different budget. If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, consider Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s got a thriving arts scene, renowned Southwestern dining, and unforgettable hikes — plus chic, under-the-radar resorts and spas.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: My older sibling always puts their two cents in when it comes to disciplining my kid. How can I politely let them know that I don’t need their parenting advice?

“For starters, it’s important to keep in mind that the time to have that conversation is not in the middle of disciplining your child — you really want to focus on the child and not confuse them. [Find] an opportunity to speak [with your sibling] alone, whether that’s on the phone or in person, and be brutally honest, without being brutal. That may mean saying something like ‘I’ve already got my system and the way I’m going to do things, so while I appreciate the fact that you care enough to share your input, it’s not something I’m going to use.’ Essentially, you’re saying thanks, but no thanks — and that’s it. Don’t make it personal, just make it matter of fact.”

Up for a challenge? These new puzzle games are easy to get into, but tough to excel at. (Trust us, we’re still trying.) You can play alone, as a team, or competitively against your frenemies 😈. We’ll see you on the leaderboard.

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