"Mary Frances, having reconciled me to olive oil, did something greater still: she won me over to butter. It was her skirling* that did it. Now, when I make eggs, I cut my measure of butter (Mary Frances would probably still think me very stingy) and skirl it in the base of the pan, making it figure-skate over the surface. And I think of her skirling in the kitchen at Marseilles in bare feet on the red-tiled floor, with pots of geraniums on the window ledges and the mistral blowing outside."
Laura Freeman, The Reading Cure: How Books Restored My Appetite.
Vuillard, At Clayes, Geranium on a Blue Table in front of the Window.
*Scroll down to I.8
Skirling! I like to do it, but never knew what it was called. Delightful word.
Thank you!
Posted by: CC | 15 February 2018 at 05:05 PM
I'm well-acquainted with the skirl of the bagpipes, and I've eaten skirlie, a Scottish dish of oatmeal and onion mentioned in the definition I've linked to above, but 'skirling' as used here is new to me (except that having read a great deal of MFK Fisher I must have come across it and not remembered!); it is a good term, isn't it?
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 February 2018 at 05:38 PM
To my ears, and eye, should I carry out such a culinary procedure it is onomatopoeic.
Posted by: Fran | 16 February 2018 at 08:10 AM
Yes! The next time I make an omelette, or "scramblies", as Laura Freeman calls them, I shall pay particular attention to my skirling.
Posted by: Cornflower | 16 February 2018 at 09:36 AM
That book sounds very inviting ..I love the word skirl ..it's very descriptive isn't it. The picture is lovely too!
Posted by: Val | 17 February 2018 at 06:02 AM
Fabulous term and I do it everytime I make scambled eggs at least twice a week! Ill remember to skirl now...
Posted by: Alexandra Macgregor | 19 February 2018 at 05:43 AM
I am so enjoying the book, Val - and I recommend MFK Fisher, too, for anyone who doesn't already know her food writing.
Posted by: Cornflower | 19 February 2018 at 10:30 AM
In her book Laura savours a number of other good food-related terms she has come across in her reading - just one of many things which make it so enjoyable.
Posted by: Cornflower | 19 February 2018 at 10:41 AM
I think I have all of MFK's books, so enjoyable.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 22 February 2018 at 07:20 PM
Very hungry-making!
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 February 2018 at 08:07 PM
Ah, I'm quite proud of myself for having thought "Mary Frances" + butter could refer to MFK Fisher, of whom I have long been a great fan! :)
Now I must look this book up...
Posted by: Swissrose | 08 March 2018 at 03:33 PM
...when the wolf is at the door... ;)
Posted by: Swissrose | 08 March 2018 at 03:34 PM
Well done!
Posted by: Cornflower | 08 March 2018 at 05:03 PM