Terila

I bought the book sight unseen when it first came out. It went right into the bookcase however. Then I saw this thread ... I'm reading the book right now. I could definately be persuaded to explore the book together!

I bought baby bok choy a few weeks ago which remained in my refrigerator until they died and were thrown out. I felt so bad that I bought some more. A few more days and they should be ready to toss out as well.

Not sure if this is the right area for this question ... but ... I have most of my recipes that are on my computer in Mastercook Mac which is no longer being supported. In fact, Mastercook Mac will not work with OS X. Does anyone have any experience with the various recipe software programs out there for Macs? And do you know if Mastercook Mac files can be imported? Thanks!

Oops! My bad! 464 not 454. Terila Teri in LA

Mine are here: 454 as of 5:15pm June 22, 2007. http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=terila Stay tuned.

From my experience Marilyn's trips sell very, very fast. I suspect that some people go year after year as I did for awhile. I am experiencing the same thing with Penelope Casas' culinary trips to Spain as well. Unfortunately, the negatives to my photos were destroyed in flooding some years ago and I have to figure out how to get them digitalized. If we ever have an eGullet meeting I would be glad to bring them along. We used to have annual L.A. get togethers for the alt.food.cooking people. Does eGullet have gatherings? To eat, party and talk? As for the Ranch San Cayetano some great photos are posted by someone I do not know. He has many galleries of great culinary trips through Mexico: http://www.pbase.com/panos/ranchosancayetano And the Rancho's own site: http://www.ranchosancayetano.com/foto_tour...d/foto_tour.htm

BTW, I hasten to add that my experiences with the classes with Diana that I have related above may or may not resemble the current ones. My experiences were almost 20 years ago.

Overall, what were your impressions of the classes? What did you think of the types and variety of dishes taught and cooked? The visits to markets, bakeries, etc.? Diana Kennedy as an instructor? Logistics -- housing, transportation? ← My first trip was about the second or third that had taken place. It was to Moreila which I LOVED. Marilyn has the right mix of "keeping it together" and having fun. At that time all trips met in Mexico City at the Hotel Maria Cristina which struck the right note to me. We were then transported by a small private bus to Zitacuaro where we stayed in one of the most delightful places ever ... the Rancho San Cayetano Hotel run by a Vietnamese emigre with all the young staff trained by Diana. This was where we met to make forays to Diana's home. We walked to Diana's in the morning along a tree lined path followed by a gaggle of wild turkeys. BTW, if you Google Rancho San Cayetano you can see some lovely private photos [not mine]. Diana is wonderful, didactic, quirky and brillant IMO. She makes things that turn out so wonderful. She took time out of her busy schedule to walk with me alone to a remote spot in Oaxaca [on a later trip] to buy a great little gram scale and have it calibrated. In the trips I've gone on with her she remains somewhat aloof which does not detract from her charm at all. Her recipes were always revelations. To this day the Clayuda she made for me, and the entire group, remains one of the highlights of my gastronomic experiences. At all points on all trips Marilyn made a point of providing a real Mexican cultural experience ... from making Brazos de Indios tamales in Merida to slaughtering a pig and making a real Conchinito Pibil at a Yucantanean home. I could go on and on ... but I would take another trip with Marilyn and another trip with Diana anytime. The trips had the right mix of great food, great scenary, good company, convivial Mexican culture that made it a total hit. Should you be serious about going I would be glad to show you my photos.

I've taken several with Diana Kennedy / Marilyn Tausend ... been to her home in Zitacuaro. Any specific questions? I'd really like to go on the one to Veracruz next. Terila Los Angeles