I realize that many of the movies I select to do posts on are originally books. I suppose a bestselling book makes a good story on film and is a testament to my selective film taste as well as literary eye. So this time around I’m starting the year off writing about a book that befittingly starts off on New Year’s Day at a Turkey Curry Buffet. Don’t worry, I’m not making turkey curry, although I believe many a Britt and Indian has done so.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bridget Jones’s Diary is a marvelously funny debut novel by Helen Fielding, which had its genesis in a column Fielding wrote for a London newspaper. During the year recorded in Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridget confides her hopes, her dreams, and her monstrously fluctuating poundage, not to mention her quest for the right man. When Bridget Jones first exploded onto the literary scene, then in the film, she was a breath of fresh air. A heroine who was flawed, funny and fond of giant knickers. She made being single both depressing and hilarious, and made ‘smug marrieds’ into a catchphrase that is still used today.
I think the start of the New Year is perfect for us to revisit this laugh-out-loud chronicle that charts a year in the life of a single girl on a permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement–in which she resolves to: visit the gym three times a week not merely to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and not fall for any of the following: misogynists, megalomaniacs, adulterers, workaholics, chauvinists or perverts. Caught between her singleton friends, who are all convinced they will end up dying alone and found three weeks later half-eaten by an Alsatian, and the Smug Marrieds, whose dinner parties offer ever-new opportunities for humiliation, Bridget struggles to keep her life afloat.
I have kept the review and summary of this book brief, but that is because I just came to a realization that Bridget Jones’s Diary is becoming a New Year’s tradition for me and you can read more about that on my post entitled New Year’s Day with Mimosas, Omelet & Orange Pudding From Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Some of the best pages from the book for foodies are when Bridget decides to celebrate with her friends and make a gourmet dinner with the menu being Veloute of Celery, Char-grilled Tuna on Veloute of Cherry Tomatoes Coulis with Confit of Garlic and Fondant Potatoes, and Confit of Oranges Grand Marnier Creme Anglaise. Of course, nothing goes as planned and she ends up serving Blue Soup, Omelet, and Orange Marmalade. So, why not pay homage to this breakfast for dinner? I’m skipping the soup and making a beautiful omelet with cherry tomatoes (to give kudos to Bridget’s original menu) alongside marmalade on toast.
I make my omelet pretty simple with a touch of heavy cream to make it fluffy. You are welcome to check out the many orange marmalade recipes out there, but I’m using Bonne Maman Orange Marmalade from France, which compliments the French technique for omelet making that I use.
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tbsp. heavy cream
1/8 tsp. salt
Dash pepper
1 tsp. butter
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
Toast and Orange Marmalade (optional)
Method
- Beat eggs, heavy cream, salt and pepper in small bowl until blended.
- Heat butter in 6 to 8-inch nonstick omelet pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Pour egg mixture in pan. Mixture should set immediately at edges.
- Gently push cooked portions from edges toward the center with inverted turner so that uncooked eggs can reach the hot pan surface. Continue cooking, tilting pan and gently moving cooked portions as needed.
- When top surface of eggs is thickened and no visible liquid egg remains, fold omelet in half with turner or flip the entire egg.
- Slide omelet onto a plate. Serve immediately garnished with cherry tomatoes.
- Serve alongside toast with orange marmalade (optional).
