Reading at the bar is back
Plus, hot weather eats and Juneteenth resources
On Tuesday afternoon, I got caught in the rain. Not just the rain, a summer thunderstorm (unfortunately it was not the kind of storm that clears humidity). I had just finished an errand and was killing time before meeting Dale. If not for the rain, I would have walked around, but instead I sought refuge at Rosemary’s. I sat at the bar, ordered a spritz, and read the excellent Somebody’s Daughter, Ashely C. Ford’s memoir. I used to love reading at the bar and hadn’t done it since before Covid. The first time back wasn’t perfect—my socks and book were both a little wet—but it was really lovely. It’s also a reminder to give myself space and time outside of my apartment as my calendar fills up this summer. And I never regret bringing a book.
Let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
I’ve been making lots of smoothies to cope with the heat and got the idea to put cardamom in mine from Anela. A little sprinkle added such a nice flavor (cinnamon is good too).
A lot of my cooking was related to this month’s meal prep class, which is coming up soon. Participants will get all the recipes and grocery lists this Saturday! Everything is so good and I’m particularly excited about the black bean burgers, with a secret summery ingredient.
It’s cherry tomato pasta season and I gave the recipe its own post so it’s easier to find and save. Let me know if you make it!
Something to order:
We kicked off Bachelorette season with Williamsburg Pizza topped with Red Clay Hot Hot Honey. It makes any plain pie more special.
Erica and I had a fun photoshoot for our classes with Shelly and got lunch with Oset at Cafe Paulette afterwards. I had an egg sandwich on baguette with a greens salad (the greens salads at French restaurants are always so good) and we split a side of excellent fries.
Do you do summer Fridays? I sort of took one on Friday and had lunch with my parents, Julia, Julianne, and Dale at Casa Ora, which has great outdoor seating. It’s the place I had my first outdoor meal after the shutdown. We started with their excellent guacamole and empanadas to share and most of us ordered patacones, sandwiches made with fried plantains as the “bread.” Casa Ora is always delicious.
Tilden and I got dinner at Bunny in Bed-Stuy on Saturday. The menu (and wine list) is German and Turkish. We loved the whipped feta and the filo cigars and split a bottle of sekt, German sparkling wine.
Last night, Natalie, Oset, and I got dinner at Sisters, an extremely well designed restaurant. I got a big kale salad and a virgin Moscow mule, which is just ginger beer with lots of lime and ice, something I will be replicating at home.
Something to read:
Michelle Lopez can teach anyone to make bakery perfect chocolate chip cookies
Two friends were featured in Apartment Therapy recently: Irina in Ridgewood and Hayley in Sacramento. Check out their cute homes!
Priya Krishna on leaving Bon Appetit and landing at the Times.
Jackie’s newsletter on The High Crustaceans is a thought provoking delight
Into these vegan barbecue trends for summer
The best $298 I ever spent: Oysters and a cocktail the night before I gave birth
Bryan Ford Is About To Make You Think Twice Before Eating A Croissant
Kelis on her new life on a farm, by Roxane Gay
Danielle Prescod and Katie Sturino do a little bit of body talk (cw: dieting, eating disorders)
On being a foster parent and perfecting a frito pie recipe.
This dietician wants you eat more processed food.
3 years after Anthony Bourdian’s death, we still need to talk about mental health
Shanika Hillocks shares her morning routine
How to support the New Yorker Union if a strike happens
Why does the ethnic food aisle still exist?
'High on the Hog' Proves Why Food Travel Shows Need New Gatekeepers
Stephen Satterfield on the response to High on the Hog and what’s next for him. I highly recommend watching if you haven’t yet. The final episode is about Juneteenth so very timely.
Red velvet cake is ‘the color of joy.’ Here’s how it rose into America’s dessert canon.
Summer’s Greatest Prize: Watermelons, With Seeds, Please
Recipes for Juneteenth, curated by Nicole Taylor.
Juneteenth is this Saturday and I know many people have Friday off to celebrate and observe. It’s a great time to celebrate, learn, and check in with yourself about any commitments to antiracism you’ve made in the past year. Here are some resources I shared last year to learn more about the holiday and its history.
You came through with suggestions for hot weather eating!
Julianne is inspiring me to make my water fancy: It's not a hot weather meal per se, but (not to repeat myself from TNHS summer newsletter 20-teen), I LOVE making spa water!!! I infuse basil or mint with cucumber and/or berries or oranges. It's so hydrating and makes you want to keep drinking water. Fighting dehydration + adding antioxidants one sip at a time!! Also when I was in CA last week, my mom and I made this delicious watermelon feta salad. Highly recommended and will make for you soon! Watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, feta, basil, balsamic vinegar, EVOO, s+p, and lime. Could have added arugula and mint too!
Courtney is an absolute pro at summer and I need to try that seasonal pie: Other than vats of iced coffee and this insanely delicious sparkling honey water that I’ve only found at one farm stand 30 mins away, pallets of fruits and vegetables—the latter paired with Ithaca's Smoked Chipotle hummus or guacamole. Frozen grapes. So many smoothies. CHILI MANGO. Endless cold tomatoes and basil. As soon as June hits, it’s honestly like my body rejects anything super salty/starchy/carby, with two big exceptions: 1) Deb Perelman’s pasta salad with roasted tomato and 2) Frank Pepe’s seasonal summer pie.
Steph has a great method for cooking without heating up the kitchen: When it gets over 90 degrees, we make this Pepperoni Pasta Salad at my household (our kitchen is unfortunately in the hottest part of the apartment and is west facing). We also use the damp-washcloth-in-the-freezer trick to cool off on really humid days. If you can safely do so, putting a crockpot on an outside deck or balcony is also a good way to make some meals without having to heat your kitchen/stove up.
Chrissy stays cool and keeps her coffee hot: Regarding hot weather tips: I'm a vegetarian but I love to grill! I've had fun experimenting with all the new plant-based meats. They're such a novelty and a great way to avoid the oven at all costs. I also love grilling fresh corn on the cob with Trader Joe's Everything But the Elote seasoning, which lives in the long shadow of it's better-known bagel counterpart. Oh, and one last thing: death to iced coffee. I live in North Carolina and I will continue to drink hot coffee with a splash of oat milk even when it's 103 degrees and so humid you feel like you might suffocate. Some things are simply sacred.
This week, I’m curious about your summer water preferences. Do you prefer beaches, pools, lakes, or something else? And of course, what are you eating and drinking while you’re there? (This question is brought to you by me planning my first Rockaway day of the season in the group chat) I love the beach and I love Rippers.
What else is happening with TNHS?
Erica and I are getting ready to kick off our meal prep classes! The June menu is so delicious and the package saves you 30% to attend all four. This also make a great gift.
My dad and I are gearing up for this week’s class, a dinner party menu of risotto, chicken or tofu, and a summery appetizer with my dad as a guest instructor. We’ll also do a Q&A and you can bring a guest for free! Would love to see you there.
Paid subscribers get personalized recommendations and a bonus issue on Thursday, which will feature summer desserts. When you subscribe, you’ll have access to the full TNHS archive, including an interview with my grandma, my favorite food TikTok creators, and letters of recommendation for favorite brands and products.
Have a great week and thanks for reading!
xo, Abigail