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Vicky Zimmerman Books

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“Cecily pointed out that writing about the different flavors of unhappiness was all well and good, but the plan was to get Kate back to happy--- and to focus more on that. She'd loved doing it, though, and by the time she'd written down "Lunch for When You're Thoroughly Bored with Yourself"--- slow-roast chicken with lemon and harissa, with a butter-drenched baked potato, followed by warm chocolate-cookie pudding with cream--- any urge to contact Nick had passed, and she was back to thinking he was an idiot--- and that she was not only the icing but the whole entire cake.”

Self EsteemFood For The SoulYou Do You
Book:Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
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“Earlier this afternoon when Kate was unpacking the food delivery, she'd suffered a mild meltdown when she realized she'd ordered raspberries, not cherries, there wasn't enough asparagus, and she hadn't allowed enough time to factor in more shopping. But then Cecily's advice, from "Dinner in a Bed-Sitting Room" had popped into her mind: What can't be disguised must be utilized. Don't apologize--- improvise. Kate had turned the raspberries into a sharp, fruity purée for Bellinis, kept the chocolate mousse simple, and ended up asking Martin to find more greens--- if not asparagus, then frozen peas or broad beans. The pasta had turned out even better, the peas adding sweet little bursts of freshness to cut through the rich, creamy, smoky sauce.”

ImprovisingSage AdviceFlavorful
Book:Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
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“Meanwhile, you need to read up on codependency." "I know what codependency means--- it means allowing difficult people to take advantage of you." "You're always saying Nick is the problem child, but Nick seems perfectly capable of taking care of his own needs." "That's only because he doesn't realize what his real needs are." "Darling, that's pure codependency talking. You need therapy too." "I do not... I just need Nick to love me." "You give your energy to all the wrong people. Right, I'm going to head down to Selfridge's to take back those L.K. Bennett wedges. It's a bugger to park around here, so you'll need to sit in the car while I dash in." "And that would be a perfect example of me giving my energy to the wrong people," says Kate triumphantly, her thoughts crystalizing as she speaks. "Besides, I'm having tea with someone." "Nick?" "Someone who needs me more than you do.”

Mother DaughterVerbal SaltRelationship Issues
Book:Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
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“Highgate Cemetery's near me." "I'm hoping to be there myself, in a week or two." "Oh, on one of their cemetery tours?" "No, dead. In the ground. Mortal coil: shuffled off." "Okay, then," says Kate, grabbing her handbag and swinging it onto her shoulder. "See you next week, Mrs. Finn." "Not if I'm dead," says Cecily. "If you are, I'll swing by Highgate and pay my respects." "Touché," says Cecily, and although Kate doesn't turn around, she could swear Cecily is smiling.”

Jokes About Death
Book:Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
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“She's keeping it simple and luxurious, in line with Cecily's menu--- mozzarella and tomato salad, duck lasagna, and chocolate mousse for dessert--- but she's made a few tweaks. The salad has evolved into homemade ricotta and roast tomato with homemade bread. The tomatoes have been slow-roasting for hours, with thyme, olive oil, and garlic, until they're sweet, jammy, and fragrant. After Nick had canceled on Tuesday, she'd ended up spending the evening practicing making ricotta. She'd been through half a dozen muslins and piles of rubbery, beige curds before finally mastering the technique--- and tonight a bowl of smooth, creamy cheese sits on the counter as proof. The lasagna feels like it's taken an entire decade to make, though in reality it's only been six hours, three for the soffritto, another two spent braising the duck legs in red wine, another hour once the meat had fallen off the bone, making a rich, thick sauce to be layered between pasta and smothered in Parmesan and mozzarella. Kate's upgraded the chocolate mousse with cocoa nibs and fresh raspberries. She's licked the spoon a few too many times, but what in this world is more delicious than chocolate melted into double cream?”

SaladItalian FoodLasagnaChocolate Mousse
Book:Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
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