Get outside! And bring a sandwich
Soaking up fall weather and all the outdoor dining
Hi friends,
Welcome back to This Needs Hot Sauce! I felt really appreciative of New York this weekend and spent lots of time outside, seeing friends and trying new spots. We stayed outside (in jackets) and I felt comfortable on buses and subways. I love how each part of the city has such a distinct feel and it was such a joy to be able to bop around again.
I have my poll worker training on Wednesday (I’ll share more on Instagram) and cannot wait! New York’s voter registration deadline is October 9th so make sure you’re squared away here (it’s worth double checking).
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
I didn’t cook a ton this week, but I baked a loaf of Cookie and Kate banana bread with chocolate chips, my official favorite (I use honey and AP flour, but it’s very flexible). Dale can eat it and it keeps for a few days wrapped in foil.
I’ve been buying feta in brine from Wegman’s and enjoy crumbling it on everything, from greek-ish salads to grain bowls. Is there anything I can do with the leftover brine? It feels like a waste to throw it away.
Last night, I made a random bowl with steamed sweet potatoes, kale, crispy chickpeas and tahini dressing. My dressing is just tahini, cold water, salt, garlic, cumin, and a little acid, either lemon or vinegar. Whisk or use a fork to emulsify it. I make it in an old peanut butter jar and store in the fridge. With feta on top, it was the perfect simple Sunday dinner.
It’s the perfect time of year to make The Salad, a TNHS favorite with kale, roasted grapes, squash, and lots of parmesan cheese.
Something to order:
I don’t know if it was the weather or the need to dramatically step away from the computer at the end of the day but I visited so many good spots this week with some great people.
Oset, Natalie and I went to For All Things Good, a molino in Bed Stuy. Molinos make tortillas and grind and sell masa (in Guatemala, they are everywhere and start grinding at 6 am). For All Things Good is primarily known for breakfast but they have a taco party Tuesday-Saturday from 6-9 and it’s easier to get a table. The menu is loaded with gems and mostly vegetarian/vegan and everything can be made as a taco or a volcán, a tostada with some fried cheese. I loved the mushroom on mushroom and the potato tacos (there’s a veg one and one with chorizo) were favorites. It’s byo for now, so hop across the street to Borough for to-go margs or bring some wine.
Afterwards, we walked to Lalou (about 20 minutes away) for some wine. It’s such a sweet spot and I want to come back to hang in the garden. I didn’t anticipate drinking red wine outside in October but I’ll take it.
Williamsburg Pizza has slices again, which is very reassuring. And an appointment in the city gave me an excuse to visit Lekka Burger. Their veggie burgers are excellent and I love supporting tip free vegetarian queen Amanda Cohen.
Julia, Julianne, and I went to YiaYia’s Taverna in Bushwick, which has a great backyard and even greater service. Catch the happy hour before 7 and load up on dips, spanakopita and lemon potatoes. It’s really affordable and well spaced out.
Dale has barely been eating out but luckily cacio e pepe still agrees with him. We had some at Montesacro, which has a great partially covered backyard garden. Their pinsas are really delicious.
Frida and I caught up at Ras Plant Based in Crown Heights, a new vegan Ethiopian spot. They have two platters, one more mild and one with spicier dishes. We got the spicy one and their mushroom entree (so good). It’s a little tricky to eat finger food while being COVID safe but we used share plates and utensils to help. Their dessert was also so good, a vegan tiramisu that tasted like layers of ice cream. They don’t have a liquor license yet so you can grab a drink after at Hunky Dory or Cafe de Rue Dix nearby.
Sanpanino is an unassuming panini shop in the West Village. It was near Dale’s office years ago and he still makes a point to go back. He finally took me yesterday and it was so good. They make fresh mozzarella every day and the sandwiches are the perfect size (you’ll be full but not too stuffed). I love the West Village and it’s great to know of an affordable option there. We took our sandwiches to the Christopher Street pier, which was a nice change of pace from the Brooklyn views.
Something to read:
Garlic powder finally gets its turn in the spice limelight
On Friday morning, Dale told me about you know who’s covid diagnosis and Tilden sent me this Ina Garten profile, which was the perfect morning read.
Sohla’s Grub Street diet ends with a bang.
Eric Rivera of Addo Seattle on his many pivots.
Kia Damon is always working for her community
The Social Network used appletinis perfectly. Side note: in college I went to a party with a Vegas themed room that served appletinis and they were gross.
Why is whiskey manly and vodka girly?
A good list of Black owned businesses in Brooklyn
Tenaya Darlington became a cheese expert in Philly and now runs the cheese program at Tria
A Uyghur Restaurant in Washington, D.C. Weathers the Pandemic
Great advice for anyone looking to learn more about wine
How cities can make the most of a pandemic winter and some tips for individuals
Phil Long on Black Winemakers and Expanding During a Pandemic
Point of Origin, Whetstone’s podcast, is back for a third season. It’s excellent, as always, and covers global food culture in such a thoughtful way.
New Yorkers, download COVID Alert NY, our new contact tracing app. It uses bluetooth, not location and will notify you if you’ve been exposed.
Two personal updates:
I’m the inaugural guest on How did you end there?, a podcast about career journeys and all their twists and turns. If you’re curious about my past jobs, childhood dreams, or office horror stories (there was a very gross sponge!), listen here!
Substack summarized my workshop on growing a newsletter audience here. Check it out if you’re looking to grow your newsletter!
Now, let’s talk about kind things we’re doing for ourselves. I started deleting Instagram from my phone on Sundays if you’d like to join me.
Alicia is trying to get off her phone (same) and using up apples: I just need to say I have found a conclusion to my personal apple abundance which is: apple compote. I ate it with yogurt for breakfast and am using it tonight on a pork chop I am making. Self care I guess is doing more cooking and knitting and reading more. I am trying and failing to cut back my social media/my phone but that's more of a process.
If today’s cooking recap is any indication, it’s soup and squash season. Next week, I’ll share our annual soup round up so please send me your favorite soup recipes and soup spots! We all need some cozy options for this crazy fall/winter and you can see last year’s list here.
I’m also doing another Q&A soon (read September’s here) so please send me any questions you may have by replying to this email or sending a DM! They can be about pretty much anything.
Stay safe and have a good week.
xo, Abigail