Journal

Tuesday, July 23, 2002
Dear Mr. Gaiman,
I read your interview for FoodPorn and I really want to try making your Trout Newspaper. But I wanted to ask how hot a temperature you have to heat the oven for the fish? The rest of the receipe sounds simple enough. (God, I really hope those aren't famous last words.)
Thank you,
Elisa


It's honestly pretty simple. Take two sheets of newspaper -- preferably full-sized, New York Times sized, newspaper (black and white only. No coloured inks.). Stuff the trout (you want it cleaned and gutted, but with head etc still on) with herbs, and a thin slice of lemon. Wrap the fish in the newspaper sheets, making a tight sort of package, as if you were going to post it to someone. Then run it under the cold tap until it is sodden (ie wet through).

Then place in an oven (350 F/ 180 C/ Gas mark 4) until the paper has dried out completely. FLOYD ON FISH, which contains the recipe, says "about 8 minutes" although it's more like about 25. Then he says "using scissors, open the package and peel off the paper, which will lift off the skin of the trout". It'll take the head and tail with it as well.

....

I'm in the process of dismantling my massive VHS library and replacing it with a massive DVD library. Why am I telling you this? Because I'm
curious as to whether or not the CBLDF plans to release a DVD version of Live at the Aladdin. I was there that night, so I know that there
should be plenty of extra stuff begging to be crammed onto a disk. Are there any plans along these lines, or do I need to hold on to my tape?
Aaron

(ps: I know that The Blueberry Girl would't be included, but I just wanted to say that I remember that night vividly after two years, exept
for that poem. I don't remember a single word, exept that it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my life. Just thought I'd share.)


Ah, the DVD question. Right now there aren't any plans to do Live at the Aladdin on DVD. Although there was a lot more material that night that didn't make it onto the original video, so an expanded release on DVD would be perfectly possible. I'll talk to the CBLDF about it.

And yes, any DVDs out there of the BBC Neverwhere are pirated and bootlegs.