grounding is the name of the game this week.
Plus diving into fantasy worlds through all the books I can devour.
Hi friends!
This week feels like it is FLYING by, while also taking 500 years to get through.
Anyone else feeling like that?
Right now, I am having a really hard time just getting myself to focus on one thing at a time. With all the constant insanity in the news and the insane decisions being made, it’s like we are being bombarded to a point where we can’t even focus on one thing for more than 5 minutes.
Which I do believe is part of the strategy and it sickens me…
I’ve been trying to slow down and escape into books lately (which I will detail more in my digest below!). Reading before bed has been a welcome thing this week, and it’s really helping me sleep better.
The doom scrolling is only giving me more nightmares at this point.
I’m currently getting back into the kitchen more too. Yesterday I did a lot of cocktail testing, as well as made some Hawaiian rolls that I am hoping rise properly in their second rise… It’s been FRIGID here so it’s not really helping me provide a warm place for the dough.
It’s felt good to get back into the physical aspect of my job, instead of being chained to the computer to catch up on writing. Getting messy with my hands has always been my favorite part of recipe development, and I’m feeling much more “in my body” now.
What are you doing this week to ground yourself?
what’s new
Here’s what you might have missed on the blog this week!
A classic gin sour requires just 5 ingredients and comes with the perfect foamy top! Don’t worry, you can omit the egg white if you need to.
Love making pork belly? Infuse it with even more flavor with my new asian pork belly marinade!
Four cheese pizza dip gives you all that pizzeria flavor, without all the work of making pizza from scratch. I brought it to Galentine’s Day last weekend and it was a HIT.
cocktail corner
what to cook this week
Italian soups are one of my favorites to enjoy. There’s nothing like a hearty bowl of something warm and filling to pick up your spirits on a chilly day.
Tuscan white bean soup is a quintessential dish that stems from Italy. The robust flavors and the fragrant scent fills your home, making you feel like you are in a cozy kitchen straight out of the Italian countryside.
Every spoonful of the stew contains creamy cannellini beans bursting with flavor, along with a medley of vegetables and greens. It’s one of those soups that is brilliant because of its simplicity and authenticity. This is the soup you want to serve to your friends and family to gather them around the dinner table as we continue through the dead of winter. It is veggie-forward, plus it’s naturally gluten-free and vegetarian.
what I’m reading
I just finished a meh fantasy book on audiobook called White Horses Black Knight (the first in the godkissed bride series). While I liked the overall world they built, it kind of felt like it was written like a man and fell into a lot of tropes I don’t necessarily love.
Manacled is becoming a canon event in my life the further I get into it. UGH.
I am also reading Five Broken Blades but I am severely behind my friend who is also reading it so I really need to catch up on that one!
It turns out, reading multiple books at the same time is something that I need at this point in life? I didn’t think I would become this person, but here I am.
Speaking of books, if you are in Denver, check out the Spicy Librarian bookshop and then thank me later ;)
what I’m watching
We are FINALLY watching season 3 of The Bear and gosh I forgot just how much I love this show. I don’t know how everyone else feels about it, but the first episode had my mouth watering and was so gorgeously done I could watch it over and over again…
I need to watch the most recent season of You in anticipation of the final season coming out this year. I stumbled upon a first edition of the book in a used bookstore the other night, but didn’t buy it. Now I’m regretting my choices…
We also recently got through Oppenheimer but man that movie did not need to be as long as it was… I enjoyed a good portion of it, but 3 hour movies really need to hit a higher level if there are going to be that long.
Until next time!
xoxo,
Meghan
Obsessed with The Bear. Season 3 didn't get great reviews but I loved it, no apologies!
Made my first homemade egg white cocktail a couple weeks ago, and now I'm a total convert. Tastes like a fancy night out, without having to leave your house! Will definitely try this gin sour recipe. :)
I can't wait to try your Tuscan white bean stew, it looks amazing and just the perfect amount of cozy:) Counting the days until Hacks comes back, have you seen it? Also, hooray for the return of John Oliver!