Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Minor league baseball, majorly good food, and reads!
Do you ever overcorrect? Last week, I booked myself solid, attending 4 events in three days and teaching a meal prep class on Sunday (it was a really good one, with a Greek inspired menu). I was so excited to not have the schedule limitations of my part time job that I said yes to everything. All of the events were very worthwhile and I’m always flattered to be invited. To no one’s surprise, I’m tired today, which is okay and well worth it. I’m still figuring out the flow of my self employed schedule and I’ll learn as I go. That’s all we can do anyway.
I’m traveling this week, to Southern California, and I can’t wait to see family and friends and take some walks by the beach. I’m a very routine oriented person (virgo here) but I think forcing myself to be more flexible is a good thing. And I’m so fortunate to be able to work from anywhere and get to see my family.
On Thursday, paid subscribers will get my dad’s risotto recipe in honor of father’s day. It’s a great thing to make for a dinner party or a special date night in and one of those dishes that seems fancier than it is!
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
On Monday night, I came home from physical therapy (my new passion) and decided to cook dinner. I made Grossy Pelosi’s vodka sauce for probably the fifth or sixth time but somehow it turned out better than usual. I only used one can of coconut milk, which is a little less than the two cups the recipe calls for, but doesn’t leave you with lots of extra coconut milk. I used a little extra pasta water and it was so delicious. I made some lemon roasted broccoli with nutritional yeast on the side. A great dinner.
I had a bunch of Tuscan kale that needed to be cooked so I wilted it down with some red pepper flakes and olive oil and used it on a breakfast plate with scrambled eggs and toast and as a quesadilla filling. Cooking greens really extends their shelf life (and saves fridge space).
Erica and I made so much good food for the week ahead yesterday! Some highlights: spanakopita inspired fritatta, greek salad with lots of feta, crispy potatoes, and lots more. Our next class is summer BBQ themed!
Something to order:
The weather on Monday called for ice cream. I stopped at Sundaes and Cones for a mocha chip cone. It’s my go to for ice cream near Union Square. I really want to try Caffe Panna but it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I am forever a Philadelphia fan girl and cheerleader and I got to attend a very special dinner at the James Beard House with Visit Philly featuring Philly chefs Nok Suntaranon from Kalaya, Omar Tate and Cybile St. Aude-Tate, and Tonii Hicks. Definitely eat their food next time you’re in Philly (and get a tahini shake from Goldie).
Big Night in Greenpoint is a dinner party store (I interviewed the owner, Katherine, last year) that’s been thriving in its first year. They hosted a wonderful garden party with Graza olive oil and the appetizers were delicious (and the company was great). I’m planning to drizzle olive oil on all my dips this summer!
Hannah’s book came out (read my Q&A with her here and grab the book here) and we celebrated at Library of Distilled Spirits! She had a signature cocktail for the book, the Mint to Be Mine with gin, lemon, mint, and prosecco, and it was so much fun to celebrate.
I got a delightful piece of mail offering free tickets to a Brooklyn Cyclones game (I think changing my address qualified me) and we went to the game on Friday with Erica and Q. I love Coney Island and loved the ballpark experience. It was kitschy, the views were amazing—you see the rides, the ocean, and the sunset, and the food and drink prices were so reasonable. I had very filling and good nachos for only $9 and a local beach beer from Coney Island Brewery for only $6! Highly recommend catching a minor league game this summer, no matter where you are. There were tons of kids activities too.
It’s park picnic season and Simply Nova bagels taste even better in Cooper Park.
Since I’m going to be out of town for father’s day, we celebrated early last night with a family dinner at Mesa Coyoacan. My mom, sister, and I split the enchiladas rojas, the mushroom tacos, and quesadillas. An ideal meal.
Something to read:
I share more reads in the Thursday newsletter for paid subscribers!
Penn Badgley on middle school angst
A weekend of supporting Black owned businesses in Nashville
Loved this podcast episode with Alejandra Ramos, a lifestyle expert who is so unapologetically herself.
A Juneteenth cookbook from Nicole Taylor
How to help teens develop healthy relationships with food
Tammie Teclemariam (who just won a James Beard award) shares 100 tips after visiting 200 restaurants so far this year.
How Defector is getting a subscriber boost from its Normal Gossip podcast (such a fun podcast)
48% percent of families can’t afford enough food without the child tax credit. A national crisis.
To Residents, Razing Atlanta Forest for ‘Cop City’ project is ‘an Act of Disinvestment’
One Direction fangirls created the internet as we know it
The quest of a Long Island seaweed farmer to make kelp the next kale.
The Quiet Resistance of Instagram’s Trendy Colorful Tortillas
Important for any summer BBQ plans: People are boycotting Martin's Potato Rolls for founder's ties to a far-right politician
A Sriracha shortage is coming. Blame the weather. I got some last weekend at Wegman’s and will be using it carefully.
The complicated journey from holy studies to hospitality
LaTonya Yvette’s upstate home is designed to give Black people a space to rest
After Uvalde shooting, people consider an Emmett Till moment. Would it have an impact?
I love to see the phrase oyster vegetarian and I want to visit this restaurant next time I’m in DC.
Last week, I asked about your favorite gifts to give and you had some great suggestions!
Hannah has the perfect book to give: I recently gave a copy of CITY OF GIRLS by Elizabeth Gilbert as a graduation gift. Not only is the book outrageously entertaining, deeply inspiring, and beautifully written, but it's a story about a young woman stepping into the next chapter of her life and taking on a big adventure. What could be more fitting for this milestone? Going forward, this will be my go-to grad gift.
My mom is a very thoughtful gift giver and this idea is also great for a friend who’s moving: One of my go to gifts for a celebration, especially for an incoming freshman at college: gift card to the local pizza place/resto popular with undergrads. A great excuse to reach out to friends and family members who are current students/recent grads for reconnaissance.
This week, I’d love to know your favorite live sports to watch! Growing up, I definitely thought baseball was boring, but the games have gotten shorter and I’m grown to appreciate the ballpark atmosphere (Dale has definitely played a role in this). After seeing the Cyclones, I definitely want to go back soon and basketball will always be my first love! I’ll share the answers next week.
Take care!
xo, Abigail