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A Conversation with Judith Ryan Hendricks
How did you learn to bake bread?
Even though I worked in a bakery, I never made bread there. I learned to make
bread by reading and experimenting, beginning in the '70s. When I first
graduated from college, I lived in New Orleans for a few years and I got very
into cooking -- mostly gourmet, very complicated, almost ritualistic recipes.
Baguettes were the bread of choice then. When I moved to Texas, I simultaneously
discovered the women's movement, which was trying to get women away from being
kitchen slaves, and the trend towards whole/natural foods. I began baking the
kind of bread that Wyn describes when she talks about "throwing every grain
they could find into the mix." It was healthy bread, but some of those
loaves were regular little bricks. On a trip to France I discovered what I now
think of as "real" bread in all its glory. I came back and started
trying to recreate it. I just kept reading and experimenting -- and of course,
books on bread kept getting better as bakers rediscovered the old ways to make
artisan bread.
Where did you get the title for your book, and why?
One of my favorite bread books is Bread Alone, by Daniel Leader and
Judith Blahnik. I think that was always in the back of my mind. Also, the Bible
verse, "Man doth not live by Bread Alone…" Deuteronomy 8:3. I
used it kind of ironically because for a while, Wyn does live by Bread Alone,
and that's what gets her through.
Like Wynter, you have worked at a number of diverse jobs. Have you settled on
writing as a career? Do you have any advice for readers who are looking for ways
to make their lives more satisfying?
In spite of the fact that I've had a gazillion different day jobs, I've always
been a writer. I had never written fiction, but I've written and sold
nonfiction, and I've always kept a journal. The great thing about writing Bread
Alone, was I finally discovered why I had a gazillion different jobs -- it's
because I was searching for what I was supposed to do, and in some ways, getting
ready to do it. Now that I know I want to be a novelist, I plan to do that until
I'm pushing up daisies. My advice to anyone who wants to make her life more
satisfying is two-pronged: First, don't settle for a life you don't love. Keep
searching for whatever it is that's going to make you glad to get up in the
morning. Second, once you discover what you love, don't let anything stop you
from pursuing it.
Can you describe the experience of writing -- and publishing -- your first
novel? Are you making any plans to publish anything more?
When writers describe the experience of writing and publishing a first novel,
about half say it's like giving birth and the other half say it's like riding a
roller coaster. I would have to say it's more like giving birth while riding a
roller coaster. And I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The best part
has been getting to meet so many interesting -- and genuinely nice -- people.
I'm very happy to say that William Morrow has bought my second novel,
tentatively titled Ysabel's Daughter. The story takes place in New Mexico
and it deals with a young woman searching for her mother and ultimately finding
herself.
What's your favorite recipe?
One of my favorite recipes is Ellen's Cornmeal Cookies
3/4 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup toasted pine nuts
or 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
With electric mixer on medium/high speed, beat butter and sugar together till
fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. In separate bowl, stir together flour,
cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Add to sugar mixture and beat until thoroughly
combined. Stir in nuts. Shape into three 12 inch-logs, wrap in plastic wrap and
chill until firm -- several hours or overnight.
Cut in 1/4-inch slices, place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees
F for about 8 minutes or till golden brown. Remove and cool on wire rack. Makes
6-8 dozen. Great with hot tea or a glass of wine.
Enjoy!
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