The Ephron sisters optioned two of my books several years ago, which inspired their off- Broadway hit, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” This was truly amazing since I have never inspired anyone, especially my family, particularly my children.
I, too, have a sister. Like me, she lives in New Jersey. But unlike me, she makes one hell of a brisket. I use the same Lipton Onion Soup packet, the same Heinz ketchup as she does. It must be my oven. But I digress.
The Ephron sisters liked to cook (I wonder if they made brisket) even though they ate out a lot. Once when I had lunch with the Ephron sisters, they talked about how great heirloom tomatoes were. I keep quiet. Never heard of heirloom tomatoes. The Jersey tomato I know about.
If you ask me (which few people do, particularly my children), nothing tastes great anymore. They make food look great—presentation is supposed to be as important as taste but I don’t think so. It’s like those New York restaurants that I don’t go to where they rate the décor as much as the food. Who eats décor? And the noise level? if you’ve been married a long time, the noise is good. It makes it impossible to talk to your husband and you’ve already said everything to each other years ago anyway.
But a few weeks later I was at the A&P and I saw some weirdly colored things that looked like tomato rejects that should have been on the day- old table. The sign said heirloom tomatoes and they cost a lot more than Jerseys. I didn’t buy them. Heirlooms are for Daughters of the American Revolution people. I’m a granddaughter of Ellis Island people. But I digress.
The Ephron sisters knew exactly what to order in a restaurant even before they look at a menu. I always keep the waiter/waitress standing there until I decide between one of the dozen chicken dishes that are on every menu in New Jersey when what I really want is a hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut. But I digress.
At Nora’s memorial service, one of her recipes was inserted in each guest’s program. I got Nora’s recipe for an Egg Mold. Here it is:
THE EGG MOLD THING
Oil a ring mold with vegetable oil
18 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
½ cup Hellman’s mayo
red or black caviar (optional
Place eggs in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to boil. Turn off heat and cover for 20 minutes. Test an egg before you drain and run cold water over the eggs. Shell Put the eggs into the Cuisinart and cut them into little pieces. Put in a bowl. Pour butter over them, add enough mayo to bind. Spoon into ring mold and chill 4 hours, or overnight. Unmold by running a sharp knife around the eggs and turning the mold bottom side up onto a round platter. Cover with caviar, if you can afford it, or just fill the center of the ring with watercress. Serve with party rye and pumpernickel.
The Ephron sisters always wore black. I wear black too. But you would never mistake me for them even on a dark night. They wear pants that fit. I buy pants that I can fit into.
I once bought a pair of black leather (faux leather) pants size 10 that were on sale at a vintage (second hand store) on Rt. 22 for $10 (25% off if you’re a senior and shop on Thursday and I am and did) that I couldn’t fit into. Wouldn’t you buy them for $10 especially since they had a designer label even though it was cut out– but I could tell. I thought that one day I’ll fit into them. They’ve been hanging in the back of my closet—unworn– for 15 years. I still have hope. But I digress.
The Ephron sisters said their mother always told them everything was copy. What I remember my mother always telling me was to eat, eat, eat because I was too thin when I was a child. Hard to believe! I could have fit into those leather pants if I didn’t listen to my mother.
The Ephron sisters were very happily married. I once asked Nora what was the secret of her happy marriage. She said, “Marry an Italian.” I wish I’d know that earlier. The Ephron sisters always looked very put together. I think they did a lot of maintenance—hair, skin, workouts. I don’t even do maintenance on my house which really needs it, although some days when I look in the mirror I need it more than a new kitchen floor. But I digress.
The Ephron sisters never digressed. They always knew. Even though my royalties barely had a comma, I was thrilled to know the Ephron sisters and couldn’t believe that I inspired them. They inspired me.
I don’t know why I’m thinking about the Ephron sisters today. It’s not a memorial day, birthday, or any day special— just Friday. Fridays I usually think about Saturday—will we go into the city, drive or take the bus, have dim sum in Chinatown or deli at Ben’s, a museum or a movie? But I digress.
Delia was lucky to have had Nora as a sister and Nora was lucky to have had Delia as her sister. And I’m lucky to have my sister and her brisket.
You’re just a button click away– and I’d love to hear from you.
About your world, your family, your joys and frustrations, growing up, growing older, even recipes–even though I stopped cooking–by request–years ago.
Goodbye until next time…
Hope your day turns out as well as I hope
(but doubt) mine will,
Gingy (Ilene)
I’m loving your posts. Hilarious.
How fun to read about your time with the two Ephron sisters and your thoughts and observations. I loved Nora’s writing and am enjoying Delia’s now.
“They look like the number 11”. Funny!
You, my dear friend, are an heirloom treasure. Heirloom tomatoes are ok, but they don’t have a very long shelf life as a rule, getting banged up and bruised to a smushy pulp fairy easily and rarely ship well. And at Whole Paycheck, not only are they high maintenance produce, but they’ll cost 4.99 a pound. I am anything but an heirloom peach. God knows I need to be swathed in bubble wrap before my family lets me travel as far as the Target store 2 miles straight down the street, and even then, I can expect a few random calls checking on me while I’m there trying to wander up and down the aisles enjoying browsing and pretending that I am hip and happenin’. My most fashionable casual looks are basically jeans and comfy long, loose and well-loved shirt I may have had since dirt was young. But my grandkids love to run into me there and snuggle into the softness of the Oxford cloth that has been washed so many times that it is now as malleable as a slice of Wonder Bread.
Miriam.
Thanks.
So happy to hear from you.
Stay in touch.
xo
Have read all Nora’s books. Your voice is so much like hers, I see why she liked you. I’m sitting here smiling after reading this latest. Love everything you write, your blogs should be a book! Love you. Xx
Judith,
When I was in college at Simmons, I worked in Filene’s basement!
Arlyne, you don’t have to win at Bingo, you are a Bingo!
G,
Today it will be in the 70s here some say this is our new spring. Last year it was pouring down rain which this area needs a lot of. I look at this weather as a gift and so I started pulling my summer shoe s our and t-shirts and skirts..I’m enjoying whatever weather we are having and just being playful today.
Last night I won BINGO 3x that’s an omen. I have never won BINGO 3x ever.
Enjoy every moment and don’t stop doing what your passionate about.
Love you dear friend,
Ar
When I was a teenager I bought a green velvet dress in Filene
Basement. It cost $50 a lot of money in those days.
My mother said bring it home. When I turned it
Inside out it had a tag that read Christian
Dior and price was $300. Wow! I wore it on special
Occasions. My mother was an artist and
She her students painted me in that dress with its
Short sleeves and full bouffant skirt. I must be
hanging on many walls.
Gingy, I love your Blogs! And my Sister has a sister who makes brisket too;-)
Karen, you can make me your Egg thing any time you want. I only do caviar at
weddings (not my own). Keep in touch.
Sara, Do you still have the blue dress? Can you still fit into it? As my grandkids say,
HA HA HA. I saved one dress that I used to wear–size 8. I can get my left arm into it. Have a safe, lucky, healthy, happy New Year.
hi ilene, your blog is so funny. i love your commentary on the details of daily life – they’re the best observations and call things out well. before i read the blog today i was at the store and examined some heirloom tomatoes – the poor things looked like rejects from somebody’s garden … only good to cook with. and here’s the surprise – yesterday (again before i read your blog) i started and almost finished nora ephron’s “I Remember Nothing.” Almost as funny and observant as you! Great to stay in touch. Sending hugs. Sara (in the blue dress)
Gingy: Your posts do make me laugh. Thank you!!!!
No offense to the Ephron sisters, but the recipe sounds … how shall I say it??? BAD! No onions? No pickles? No little squirt of mustard? But hey, if you can afford good caviar, go for it. The last time I had caviar, it was carried directly from Russia by a family member. Tasted (and looked) like fish bait. No thanks! I’ll stick with pickles and onions.
I’m with you on the second hand pants. I love thrift stores and estate sales. I got some real treasures at a sale at a sheep farm out your way. God is good!
Best wishes for a good year.
Lia,
You make me blush.
Say the same things back to you and you’ll be correct.
xo
Thinking about Love Loss and Ilene Beckerman.
And how delightfully blessed I am to have you for a friend.
Thank you for this gift of a smile for a cold, grey, will it/won’t it snow January morning.
Love you! Lia
And BTW, you inspire everyone you touch, not just the Ephron sisters…even if some of those people don’t realize it yet.
God I love to read what you write.
It’s always good to read your blog. I had a happy marriage of 37 years, not long enough. Hard to believe, but I am very happy now that I am old (81) and widowed! I guess the secret is to stay healthy and active, never criticize your children, tell your grandchildren how wonderful they are (true!) and keep in touch with friends. I’m off to see a movie with a good friend. Love, Phyllis
Linda, Those dishes knock me out. So happy I wasn’t there. It’s hard to believe they’re real. Hair in food–ugh! Thanks for sharing.
Arlyne, You’re a wonderful original!
Sally, Happy days to you, too. Every day.
Hi Ilene – I’ve always enjoyed cooking since I was a small girl. I even remember how excited I was to send away for the 1955 CARNATION FUN TO COOKBOOK! I’ve always puzzled over why people have trouble with cooking because I figure that you follow a recipe, and you end up with a successful dish. My husband and I do enjoy eating out, however, but we’ve reached the point that we look at the online menu before we take the plunge. So many restaurants in Richmond have what I call “frou-frou” terminology on their menus that convince you to take along a food dictionary so you can understand what you are ordering. We were invited to a friend’s birthday dinner at a vegetarian restaurant. I thought, “Oh, good! I like salads, so this will work.” WRONG! Here were some of the offerings: Teriyaki BBQ Tofu with collard greens and fried jalapeño grits; Tofu Sandwich made of hummus, caramelized onions, spinach, & oven-roasted tomato; BBQ Jackfruit with vegan slaw & spicy chipotle aioli. We decided to have dinner at another location and join the birthday party at this restaurant in the basement of a former townhouse built in 1910 and that’s located in the heart of Virginia Commonwealth University. Not only was this “healthy” place filthy, but Blake could see the cook’s long and loose hair as this young man was preparing the food. I wonder what the Ephron Sisters would have thought. I love your keeping their memory alive, Gingy. XOXO Linda
Hello again,
I live In a small rural town in n. California and we have no big box stores. We have 2 thrift stores and 1 high priced clothing and boot shop. I am learning to live by myself and when it comes to making meals for 1 I choose homemade soup and good bread and salad. Simple and plenty of leftovers, & my speed.
East & west city coasters are all about take out and food and different kind of food and how it looks and tastes and cookbooks. Here where I live we eat to live from our gardens and wear what is comfortable whether it be jeans and cow girl boots or any boot or dirndel skirts and a hoodie. I never feel I’m in a fashion show when I leave the house. There are more important things in my life like being a fun grandmother, being a helpful friend, keeping in touch with family and eating healthy to stay healthy, & giving back to my community.
I admire you my dear creative friend & keep writing because laughter is ghe best medicine.
2018 hugs
Arlyne
You’re wonderful, Gingy!!! Happy New Year, Sally
Nancy,
When you make the Egg Mold Thing, one more thing to do.
It wasn’t in the program recipe but she always said not to use
all the egg whites. Throw out several (I don’t know how many).
But maybe she just said that about making egg salad and not
the mold. Who remembers. Good luck however you make it,
whatever you do. Eighteen eggs–you must know a lot of
people. And thanks for your words. Ilene
Ilene, Love this. Love how you think and write. I wrote an op-ed piece on Nora when she died for The Buffalo News. Gonna make the egg mold thing. Thanks for the great post and for the recipe. xxx