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Alive Quote by James Beard

“What comforted me? That is easy. It was a strong cold chicken jelly so very, very thick. My mother's Chinese cook would fix it. He would cook it down, condense it-this broth with all sorts of feet in it, then it would gell into sheer bliss. It kept me alive once for three weeks when I was ill as a…” quote by James Beard
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“What comforted me? That is easy. It was a strong cold chicken jelly so very, very thick. My mother's Chinese cook would fix it. He would cook it down, condense it-this broth with all sorts of feet in it, then it would gell into sheer bliss. It kept me alive once for three weeks when I was ill as a child. And I've always craved it since.”

James Beard

About This Quote

Source Memoir: Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain, 2000

A simple, thick chicken jelly provided comfort and survival during childhood illness, becoming a lifelong craving.

In simple terms: Comfort food saved me as a child and stays a craving.

Key Takeaway

Seek simple comforts that nurture body and spirit.

Themes

comfort food memory survival craving nostalgia

Mood

warm nostalgic

Type

personal culinary

When to use this quote

  • illness recovery
  • cultural heritage
  • comfort cooking
  • family recipes

Key Concepts

culinary tradition psychological comfort

Questions to Reflect On

  • What simple foods bring you comfort?
  • How do memories shape our eating habits?
A Different Perspective

Overreliance on nostalgic foods may hinder healthier choices.

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