This Needs Vitamin C
A dispatch from my cold, plus updates on our upcoming happy hour.
Hi friends,
Welcome to This Needs Hot Sauce, a weekly newsletter about cooking, dining out, and making the most of it. We also host monthly events and our next one is February 21st at Grimm Ales at 6:30. As you know, I’m on a beer journey and trying Grimm’s ales last summer was a big step in embracing them. Come hang out and have a drink. We’ll also have mediterranean snacks AND Grimm is part of the Passport to Bushwick, so your first drink might be free. RSVP here and feel free to invite friends!
I’m writing this with a bad cold, so keeping it brief today, but let’s dive in.
Something to Cook:
I honestly didn’t cook much last week, except for a very important Tahini milkshake. Nicole sent me the recipe and it was so easy to put together. You only need four ingredients, ice cube trays, and a blender. Check out the Tahini shake highlight for more.
I also went to my parents’ house for dinner and they made two of my favorite dishes: this kale salad from the Smith and butternut squash toasts. Plus, Leah and Jason made a very impressive heart shaped hazelnut layer cake with merengue that even called for a blow torch (it’s not online but from the Sqirl cookbook).
Something to Order:
Before I got sick/when I had a small sore throat but was convincing myself it would go away on its own, I had some great meals.
Lizzi and I got oysters to celebrate the warm weather at Pinkerton, where the oysters are always $1 and it’s never crowded. Their whipped ricotta is very good as well.
Then we went to Hotel Delmano, which is a very good date spot (or cousin date spot). They’re known for cocktails and also have a great wine list.
My dad and I got to try the new Empellon al Pastor at the Pod Hotel and we had a great time. Empellon is always experimenting so some of the dishes weren’t perfect, but we really enjoyed the broiled oysters (sense a theme?), the red salad, the tacos (both sweet potato and al pastor, don’t recommend the mushroom ones), and the white beans. For dessert, there’s a really fun twist on the klondike bar with corn ice cream. If you work in the area, the happy hour scene is lively.
Leah, Amy, and I saw the Andy Warhol exhibit (pay what you wish every Friday starting at 7 p.m.) and got dinner afterwards at Old Rose in the Jane Hotel. Given its location, it’s way better and more reasonably priced than it needs to be. The pizza was very good, but I think my favorite dish was the little gem salad with pickled carrots and green goddess dressing.
Dale and I got brunch at Butcher’s Daughter in Williamsburg yesterday. Though the immunity boosting smoothie didn’t cure me, it was still very refreshing. His egg sandwich looked so good and the surfer magazines hanging on racks really added to my typical February West Coast wanderlust.
Coffeeshop of the Week:
Taking your coffee to stay is a real treat. I did this for the first time at Jones Beach Cafe off of the Myrtle Broadway stop and discovered a spacious back area with wifi. It feels like a living room and is so inviting and colorful. The space is a bar at night, which makes total sense.
Something to read:
So many good links this week. Enjoy them stuck in bed or stuck on the subway…
Buy the cheap thing first is good advice for both sports and cooking equipment
Why roni cups are everywhere in New York Pizza (plus, where to find the best slices).
A grain free tortilla company (they’re made with cassava) just raised 90 million.
Travel mugs are trending, but it’s a harder sell than giving up straws. Has anyone converted to the keep cup? Or something else?
Claire Saffitz, of Youtube fame, did a Grub Street diet.
In Ridgewood, a couple is making artisan bean to bar chocolate that I need to try.
I’ve watched this three times and am nowhere near done with it.
The NYT comments section is the only good comments section.
Speaking of, Vox talked to Alison Roman and others about why the stew went viral.
A mango pie recipe from the host of podcast Song Exploder via the lovely Samin Nosrat.
A visit to a fish sauce factory in Vietnam
An interview with Soleil Ho, the new restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle.
How one writer went from Wall Street to food writing
To make vegetables more appealing, surround them with a yogurt moat.
Warming up to vegan pozole (want to try this recipe)
How a mother of five runs a cooking school, a sauce company, and more.
Some fun ideas for oatmeal toppings.
What happens if you reduce the sugar in a cookie recipe by half?
Now, I’m asking for your help! What are you favorite cold remedies and comfort foods when you’re under the weather? Reply to this email and let me know. My box of tissues and I thank you.
Happy eating and thanks for reading. Hope to see you on the 21st!
xo, Abigail
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