A trip down memory lane
The best bakes, meals, reads, and shops of 2021
Before I settled on the scope of my newsletter, I planned on writing about my favorite reads of 2021. I’d say I actually read a lot this past year — more than past years, where nine months out of the year I’m forced to read things I’m assigned to read for class. Instead of writing about that, I’m going to walk through my favorite food related things of 2021. Luckily, I started posting what I was cooking and eating to Instagram this year, so I have a wonderful little archive already made for me.
Restaurants won’t be included in this list because there were just too many to pick from, and I don’t want to take up too much of your morning. Perhaps I’ll dedicate a future issue to all my favorite places for chowing down.
Anyway, I love end-of-the-year recaps. Those year in search videos that Google puts out each year give me the same warm and fuzzy feeling I get when I make a cup of hot cocoa. And what’s better than a recap dedicated to the things I ate this year? You tell me.
If you don’t make it to the end of this email (I hope you do), I’ll see you in 2022! Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you so very much for being here.
Okay, on to the eats…
Bakes
Miso Buttermilk Biscuits — Claire Saffitz’s Dessert Person
I don’t have anything to say but this: BEST BAKE OF THE YEAR. WELL RECEIVED BY ALL.
Sourdough Discard Granola — @sourdoughbagels
I’ve been following @sourdoughbagels since I joined the quirky little side of Instagram that’s full of young food lovers. Claire has so many delicious looking cakes and galettes and scones and cookies and you name it, but this is the only recipe of hers I tried out this year! It was also the first sourdough discard recipe I tried my hand at, and I have to say I was quite impressed. Recipe linked here!
Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies — Claire Saffitz’s Dessert Person
And another Dessert Person pick! They remind me a lot of these cookies my Aunt Kim used to bring to family gatherings when I was growing up. They were the perfect cookie to have on hand in the freezer during November as finals were piling up before Thanksgiving.
Meals
Soy and Scallion Tofu Bowl — Chris Morocco @ Bon Appetit
This is probably the best tofu recipe I’ve ever made — and as someone who didn’t eat meat for five years, you can trust me on tofu. It’s salty and sweet and finished with a hunk of butter. Who doesn’t love butter?
Crispy Tofu & Cilantro Balls — Hetty McKinnon’s To Asia with Love
Okay, okay. Two tofu recs from a former vegetarian? Yes! Why not? If you’re trying to cut back on your meat consumption in 2022, I recommend these balls because everything (even tofu for all you haters out there) tastes better when it’s fried.
CHICKPEAS — Carla Lalli Music
A dish that comes together quite quickly and is perfect in any weather, Carla Lalli Music’s CHICKPEAS highlight on her Instagram was a place a turned to when inspiration in the kitchen was hard to come by.
Honey & Chili Over Easy Egg Sandwich — by me!
Inspired by a bagel sandwich I had in DC once, I started adding honey to my eggs. Since I don’t have hot honey in my pantry, I add a kick with chili flakes. This is my favorite breakfast — it’s best on sourdough.
Reads
Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz
Claire’s debut cookbook, and you bet your bottom dollar I’ll be buying her next. It’s the cookbook I turned to the most this year, and there’s even a YouTube component to it. So informational. Check it out here!
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
If you eat at restaurants, read this book.
Food Rules by Michael Pollan
A deep dive into how and what humans should be eating. You should also read his bigger book on the American food system, The Omnivore’s Dilemma
“My Restaurant Was My Life for 20 Years. Does the World Need It Anymore?” by Gabrielle Hamilton
Gabrielle Hamilton’s East Village bistro, Prune, hasn’t opened its doors since they were shuttered in March 2020. I’ve only eaten there once and it was probably the coolest brunch of my life — our party sat in the basement under the stairs. I read this essay for class this year, and it really changed my perspective on the power social media has on the restaurant industry. Add this to your list along with Kitchen Confidential.
My Life in France by Julia Child
Child’s snapshot of her time spent in la belle France! So darling.
Shops
Fishs Eddy — New York, NY.
Rescued vintage tableware. Need I say more?
Kalustyan’s — New York, NY
Treasure trove of ingredients you can’t find at your regular old grocery store. If you find yourself in New York in the coming year, go to Kalustyan’s!
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks — New York, NY
Bonnie’s collection is so large. I found a 1924 edition of The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book here in well-loved condition, but that’s what makes it special. Fannie Farmer wrote the book in the late 19th century, and it’s the first American cookbook to use measurements!
Rainbow Kitchen & Hardware Supplies — New York, NY
Bowery is lined with a number of restaurant supply stores, and I think this one looks the least intimidating. Most of my kitchen is outfitted with tools from this place. Big quality, small price.
Anastasia Inciardi Prints
If I wasn’t concerned with saving for my future, I’d buy every single one of Anastasia Inciardi’s prints. I have the can of San Marzano tomatoes on my wall and bought the Reese’s PB cup one for my boyfriend. She has so many one-of-a-kind pieces of art that you should definitely add to your home’s walls!!!!! I just love them so much!!!!!
That’s all for now, folks. See you in the new year. May your holiday season be full of parties and cheer!
Aunt Kim's cookies are better.
Yeah Kalustyan's carries my favorite Pick A Pepper Sauce (as per their website) !! I'll need to make a trip to grab some soon.