Having so loved and admired Holly Pester's novel, The Lodger, 'dip for dinner' feels like the perfect companion piece. Especially this: "Decadence in poverty is a work of art in life, a releasing into indulgence. It is a reaction against precarity to create a style of behaviour instead of home. No one can take style away from you. Ask a dandy". Truly original, evocative, insightful voice.
As the child of a single mother and teenager in the 1990s, this is very resonant - and also beautifully observed. (The weird cheese one always remained uneaten - the coconut Quality Street of dips).
This was such a wonderful portrait of a time and food moment, there is something that speaks to celebration in the dipping of a ready salted crisp into garlic and onion (always the best of the 4 imho) dip. It makes me feel like I'm becoming my own mother but in a really lovely way to say, yes a crisp, dip and glass of wine combo somewhere before 6pm is truly the high life.
What a cracking piece of gastronomic social commentary! The late 90s feel so recent (when I met my wife, time has flown) yet so far away. Adding milk to your bottle of ketchup to make it last longer: that's definitely a new one on me! I shall have to reread this several times trip make sure I haven't missed any other gems.
Hard relate to this article as a 90s teen. The 4-Way dip only turned up at Christmas in our house, along with the green tube of Pringles. Even in my forties, buying a green tube of Pringles outside of the season feels like the ultimate decadence. I enjoyed these foods, even though some of them were objectively disgusting! They just seemed so thrilling….
This felt very resonant as a fellow child of a single mum on benefits in the 90s. Even now, I would lay money on her having at least two dips in her fridge! "Decadence in poverty is a work of art in life" - what a profoundly powerful line.
Having so loved and admired Holly Pester's novel, The Lodger, 'dip for dinner' feels like the perfect companion piece. Especially this: "Decadence in poverty is a work of art in life, a releasing into indulgence. It is a reaction against precarity to create a style of behaviour instead of home. No one can take style away from you. Ask a dandy". Truly original, evocative, insightful voice.
As the child of a single mother and teenager in the 1990s, this is very resonant - and also beautifully observed. (The weird cheese one always remained uneaten - the coconut Quality Street of dips).
This was such a wonderful portrait of a time and food moment, there is something that speaks to celebration in the dipping of a ready salted crisp into garlic and onion (always the best of the 4 imho) dip. It makes me feel like I'm becoming my own mother but in a really lovely way to say, yes a crisp, dip and glass of wine combo somewhere before 6pm is truly the high life.
What a cracking piece of gastronomic social commentary! The late 90s feel so recent (when I met my wife, time has flown) yet so far away. Adding milk to your bottle of ketchup to make it last longer: that's definitely a new one on me! I shall have to reread this several times trip make sure I haven't missed any other gems.
Loved this nostalgic trip. Beautifully written Holly. I shall order a copy of The Lodger.
What a glorious piece of writing. Thank you
Absolutely loved this piece!
Hard relate to this article as a 90s teen. The 4-Way dip only turned up at Christmas in our house, along with the green tube of Pringles. Even in my forties, buying a green tube of Pringles outside of the season feels like the ultimate decadence. I enjoyed these foods, even though some of them were objectively disgusting! They just seemed so thrilling….
This felt very resonant as a fellow child of a single mum on benefits in the 90s. Even now, I would lay money on her having at least two dips in her fridge! "Decadence in poverty is a work of art in life" - what a profoundly powerful line.
where were the dads?