A Picnic on the Floor
Cheeseboards, mole nachos, and Q&A time
How’s your fall so far? The light is different, the sun sets before 7 (help), and it’s peak light jacket weather. I spent half of this weekend laying low after my Covid booster (get yours, Walgreens has a ton of slots). While I could have skipped the headache, it was a perfect excuse to have a very lazy Saturday and I felt better by the late afternoon (so about 24 hours after my shot).
I’m looking forward to a calm week before we head to Georgia for Anjali’s wedding! On Thursday, we’re doing a Q&A newsletter—I opened the comments so you can ask any questions there (or reply to this email or send me a DM). Excited to chat about cooking, restaurant recs, tv, books, random advice or whatever else is on your mind!
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
I made such a good fried rice with sugar snap peas, garlic, ginger, egg and edamame. My fried rice method is from this recipe—you can use any veggies but the order is veggies, then eggs, then rice. Julia and I had it while we watched The Golden Bachelorette (where did they find all these men who cry about how much they love their kids and grandkids?).
Leah and I both got our Covid shots on Friday afternoon so we had a lowkey evening together. I made us pasta with Greenmarket cherry tomatoes, which were on sale somehow, garlic, spinach, and pesto swirled in at the end. I seasoned it with Greek oregano (Leah just got back from there), red pepper flakes and deglazed the pan with white wine vinegar. At the end, we stirred in mini mozzarella balls. It was delicious, mostly because of the really good tomatoes. Ina Garten was right about using good ingredients, especially in simple dishes.
My doctor recently told me to eat more nutritional yeast (for the Vitamin b12). Typically, I use it on popcorn or add it to boxed mac and cheese, but I’m curious if you have any favorite ways to enjoy it! TYSM.
Michelle moved into her new place (Megan’s old place, it was a fun real estate matchmaking situation) and the three of us had such a fun picnic on the floor with cheese (manchego and a brie like situation), crackers, wine, and gossip. I brought a Fredericks & Mae board as a housewarming gift and we put it use immediately. We were going to go out to dinner but wound up just ordering pizza because we were so cozy.
Something to order:
Oset, Emma, Lucy and I went to Superbueno and we had incredible vegetarian nachos with mole and mushroom carnitas. They are super savory and flavorful. I love most nachos but these are special! Give them a try.
I always like to see the pizza scene of each neighborhood and Brooklyn Heights is a thin crust/coal fired territory. Megan, Michelle and I ordered the Norma pizza from Luzzo and a simple salad and it was delicious.
Tilden and I caught up over brunch from Ursula (you can schedule a pickup order since there’s usually a long wait on weekends). We split the vegetarian breakfast burrito and some pastries—get a side of chili for dipping.
My other obsession this week has been Nightingale Ice Cream sandwiches—Delaney does their PR and hooked me up with some samples. They’re pretty big so I have been cutting them in half and sharing (they also make mini ones) but the ratio of cookie to ice cream is perfect and the ice cream is really high quality. Highly recommend if you see them near you! If you like coffee ice cream, try the French Roast one.
Something to read:
Loved this deep dive into how recipe names have changed over time. Everything that seems classic will someday feel dated, even the title for a cake recipe.
In a twist my 2020 self would have loved, I got to go to Sally Rooney’s book premiere this week (Ghia provided the drinks!). She was not there because she is separating herself from her work, a healthy attitude if you can achieve it (which most people can’t). This interview was interesting and I’ve just started Intermezzo.
That was me you saw eating a peanut butter sandwich in the fast-food dining room
Daughterhood and motherhood in a gun-addled country by
It’s time for the WNBA playoffs! A Day Out With the Dads and Daughters Who Love Women’s Basketball
30 Days (of Soup) at a Postpartum Hotel
AI has a huge energy cost and data center emissions are probably 662% higher than big tech claims.
is right: Your Carrot Top Pesto Will Not Save the World. If we were only throwing out the peels and tops of fruits and vegetables, we would be in a much better place.I cannot recommend watching Emily in Paris but if you are, read the Vulture Recaps from Jessica Goldstein.
Thanks so much for reading and have a great week!
Abigail
Mmmmmmmm
Your ability to consistently cook meals will never cease to amaze me (as someone who is tired of making decisions). A question for Thursday, unless it's already been done: have you done a Manhattan or Brooklyn mini travel guide? Mostly curious about go-to restaurants, for special occasion or just a nice consistent meal.