Here’s how it works: Make yourself a simple chicken broth. (We’ve got a recipe here for you, below.) Recorded live on Instagram you can watch Miranda Popkey in her kitchen and chef Evan Hanczor in his. Miranda reads from Topics of Conversation and she and Evan chat about writing, cooking, eating, comfort, quarantine, and literature. And broth.

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Simple Chicken Broth
From Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

What you need:

Bones left over from a roast chicken
2 cups or so of roughly chopped assorted veggies

Onion, garlic, carrot, celery are classic; use more onion than carrot or celery; ginger, galangal, lemongrass are great additions, and a little bit goes a long way.
Herbs if you have them?
thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage? Choose one, add a few sprigs
Spices, if you have them
1 tsp each of black peppercorns, coriander seed, turmeric (one or all)
1 big pinch of salt
This helps to draw out flavor from the bones and veggies; you can use soy sauce too
2-3 quarts of water or previously made broth
If you have an open bottle of white wine or sake feel free to throw a splash in too!

Simplest recipe

Combine all ingredients in a pot big enough to hold them. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 2-3 hours. Strain, saving the broth and composting the solids. Adjust seasoning with more salt and anything else you want (hot sauce, lemon, spices, chopped hot peppers or herbs). Enjoy!

Hint: for Miranda’s broth, a nice golden shade is what we’re going for. Roasted chicken bones or a pinch of miso will help with that, but a teaspoon of turmeric if you have it will really up the color factor. 

The Virtual Book Channel

The Virtual Book Channel

Launched during the coronavirus pandemic as virtual literary communities began emerging in vital and unexpected ways, The Virtual Book Channel seeks to provide the best possible platforms for writers to reach their readers. The VBC (aka “The Veeb”) is a curated channel that archives live-streamed programming through partnerships with independent bookstores, literary festivals, authors' WFH spaces, and more.