Re-entering my Boursin cheese era
Week 7
Last Saturday I left you hanging, so today I’m picking up where I left off. On Saturday afternoon, Matt and I took his dog, Fitz, out to brunch. (He is very well behaved and behaves even better when he’s in the presence of eggs.) Then we went back to his parents’ house where we celebrated Matt’s birthday. Matt and I built a cheese and charcuterie board for happy hour, I fixed myself an alright gin & tonic (still working on my signature cocktail), and Matt’s mom made fried chicken sandwiches for dinner. I broke some exciting news to his family about my life, which led to a funny bit that we kept up with for the rest of the weekend. His mom thinks I should be the new Ina Garten and Matt is the perfect candidate for a new Jeffery since he’s a teacher and will eat anything given to him. We ended the night with cake and then I drove home.
On Sunday it was back to Matt’s for the Super Bowl. We ate lots before the game even started — more cheese, pigs in a blanket, roasted garlic spread, Matt’s mom’s artichoke dip (something I haven’t stopped thinking about), and soft pretzels, of course — and had chicken chili during it. Although the Eagles lost, it was still a good day. Who doesn’t love an excuse to lounge around and eat all afternoon and into the night?
The train was virtually empty compared to a normal Monday, and the city was eerily quiet. I started a new book on the train (The Midnight Library — if you’ve read it, please let me know what you think) and did my usual things at work. For dinner I had what I consider to be a perfect meal: my egg, cheese, and hot honey sandwich. Recorded my first ever voiceover for a TikTok (starting a series where I cook through my cookbooks, so follow!) and then finished the fourth page in my dinner diary. A few months back Jenny Rosenstrach shared this idea in her newsletter
. I think it’s such a cute way to look back on your year, especially if you love eating just as much as I do.On Tuesday I brought my new go-to sandwich for lunch: turkey, cheddar, and crunchy lettuce on toasted sourdough with mayo and stoneground mustard. It was Valentine’s Day, and I got some candy from coworkers, which made me feel like a kid again. For dinner that night I made one of the best pantry pastas I’ve ever made. Check out the post on @claudeata_ for the deets.
After work on Wednesday I took the bus to Grace’s, where Gabby picked us up for dinner at Southgate. We slipped in just before happy hour ended and got some bao buns and fries off that menu. Grace had the Korean tacos, and Gab and I got bibimbap. After much consideration, I’ve picked the Southgate fries — topped with garlic and gochugaru, served with gochujang aioli — as my favorite dish of the night. We paid the check and Grace quickly mapped us to 1-900-ICE-CREAM, where we each got a fun lil cone for dessert; if you haven’t been yet, you must go. The line usually moves fast, and even if it doesn’t, it’s worth the wait.
I spent all of Thursday thinking it was Friday, which is one of the most annoying feelings in the world. Had a meeting with the marketing people at work to talk about social media strategies for the company’s Instagram and Facebook pages. My office bestie, Sue, made flan for Valentine’s Day earlier in the week and brought us leftovers. It was so creamy and sweet and definitely subsided my annoyance at the fact that it was in fact only Thursday. At home I thought a lot about the future and need your feedback on something. I’ve always wanted to bring other people’s experiences to this newsletter, so how would you all feel about something I’m calling “The Guestbook,” where my friends and fellow food people document a good life full of great food for a few days? What do you think?
On Friday after work I met up with Maddie and Bridget in Ambler for drinks and dinner. Our first stop of the night was at Harry’s for Down Easts and chicken wraps. Then we got espresso martinis at Widow’s Peak and ended the night at Tannery Run (Bridget and I tried their rotating seltzer again, but it was a miss this time). Bridget and Maddie have been in my life since before middle school, so going through this chapter of my life alongside them has felt like a nice warm hug.
I tried sleeping in on Saturday (like I always do) but was up just before seven after having a bad dream about my cat. I figured I’d get a headstart on the day so I hopped out of bed, worked out, showered, and got breakfast at Wake in Ambler. Dad joined me on my weekly grocery run — I got the ingredients needed for Sunday’s dinner, my new favorite weekend tradition. This weekend I’m cooking from one of my most used cookbooks, That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music. Her recipes are pretty straightforward, but I’ve found myself challenged by some of the cooking methods she uses, which I guess is good for my growth as a cook. I spent a lot of time at my computer, so an early supper was much appreciated. My mom made a BBQ pork rib recipe from my Aunt Susan — super delicious. And in the evening I hopped back into The Lost Kitchen and made chewy chocolate chip cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
(PS: If you’ve made it this far, please remember to hit the heart up at the top of this email! It lets me know you’re enjoying — and boosts my ego xoxo.)
Very nice article Claudia, makes me hungry every time! G&T? That was grandmom and my favorite drink to have together, if and when she had a drink. Sounds like you are happy and busy. Give Matt our best and a belated Happy Bday!
I am weirdly soothed by your life.