November 06

Sally Margaret Field's Birthday
 

The 5'2" award-winning actress became a TV star at the age of 20 in her iconic role as Sister Bertrille in the 1960s sitcom The Flying Nun. But it was her portrayal of a young woman afflicted with multiple personality disorder,in the TV film Sybil (1976) that earned her an Emmy Award in 1977.  Sally's performance in Sybil  enabled her to break through the typecasting she had experienced from her comedic TV sitcom roles and take on more dramatic roles in film. two of which earned her Oscars, one for Norma Rae (1979), and for Places in the Heart  (1984). She also won the Cannes Film Festival Film Award for Best Actress for Norma Rae (1979). Sally's acceptance speeches at award shows have often made headlines. Her acceptance speech for her Places in the Heart Oscar is well-remembered for her effusive "I haven't had an orthodox career, and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me."  During her acceptance speech for her 2007 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Field commented: "If the mothers ruled the world, there would be no goddamn wars in the first place." 1n 1997 on the set of Smokey and the Bandit, Sally met Burt Reynolds, and the unlikely duo began a five-year romance. It ended when she got angry about her role in the relationship, as the perpetually sweet southern belle who "made brownies and rubbed his feet and never asked for any space," she once said.  "It wasn't fair of me, because I had never professed to need anything." More recently, the feisty actress has come under some criticism for her role as the over-enthusiastic spokesperson for Boniva.- the one-pill a month treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.- which she constantly hawked every time she was interviewed.  However, some claim tha ther osteoporosis may be been caused an infection initially contracted by contact with a lovesick pelican in The Flying Nun episode  "With Love From Irving." So let's return to those nostalgic Flying Nun days and celebrate Sally's birthday with the French confection Soupir de nonne. Soupir de nonne (nun's sighs) are fried choux pastry dusted with confectioners' sugar allegedly invented by a nun in Alsace in the eighteenth century. The lighter than air treats are also called called pet de nonne (nun’s farts) which is possibly the most unappetizing name in culinary history .Episodes of The Flying Nun are available on DVD for a nostalgic birthday treat.

Soupir de nonne
(Nuns Sighs)

1. Heat fat in deep fryer to 375º F.

2. Sift sugar, flour, and salt. Add butter and water in a medium saucepan and heat until butter is melted. Add flour mixture and stir quickly with a wooden spoon over medium heat until dough leaves the sides of the pan and forms a ball.

3. Remove pan from heat and beat in eggs thoroughly one at a time. Beat in vanilla.

4. Drop by tablespoons in oil. When dough puffs and becomes golden, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.