THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN
Happy book birthday to The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, a wonderfully heartwarming novel filled with second chance romance and touch of magic! It’s 1920s Brooklyn, and Augusta’s peculiar great-aunt Esther has come to stay with her family. Although Augusta believes in the traditional medicine of her father’s apothecary, she is fascinated by Esther’s mysterious brews that have a magical effect on those needing healing, fertility or love. Sixty years later, Augusta has retired to Florida, where she is set in her ways and has no use for romance - when an irksome figure from her past reemerges. Long ago, Augusta thought Irving was the love of her life. Can she harness the magic that will unlock her past, and open her heart to Irving once again?
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Fans of The Matchmaker’s Gift, rejoice - @lloigman has done it again! This book had me smiling and rooting for Augusta all the way - there’s something about a later in life romance that is so hopeful and feels like a gift. It felt so good to see these characters representing their Jewishness as a source of sweetness, tradition and love. So many Jewish stories I read last year - in books and in the news - were filled with sorrow. How welcome it is to read one that is uplifted by Jewish food, culture and language. It reminded me that there is so much Jewish joy to be had everywhere, even in - especially in - our stories. Most of all it is a delightful novel about love and new beginnings!
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My soup isn’t magic but I always feel like there is some serious alchemy to making a huge pot of deliciousness at the first chill in the air. I make lentil, white bean and kale, chickpea curry, turkey chili - but classic chicken noodle is the OG. I like to tear some big pieces of roast chicken up by hand instead of perfectly cut slices. This one is a made up hybrid of Barefoot Contessa and Smitten Kitchen, with mayyybe a dash of Aunt Esther - I’ll never tell!
You can find this recipe here ! Tip: If you do not want to make your own stock, I recommend buying from a butcher, not a box from a grocery store!
