What I've been cooking in quarantine
A client of mine asked me the other day what I’ve been cooking in quarantine. It turned out I had a lot to say. My love of cooking first sparked about 6 years ago when I lived in the Bay Area and my mom, her best girlfriends and all the daughters decided to start a cookbook club. We picked recipes from one cookbook at a time and brought a feast to the dinner party (we started with cookbooks from Berkeley’s famous Chez Panisse chefs). It was such a great way to learn to cook because we all felt empowered to try challenging things and share in the experience of learning. We always had more than enough food so it was okay if we messed up!
When I moved to Seattle, I took this idea with me to my new girlfriend group where everyone just happened to be obsessed with Alison Roman (the Bon Appetit, NY Times Cooking media darling). For years I’ve been in love with my Bon Appetit magazine and recently subscribed to NY Cooking literally this week. I am so inspired by the options and quarantine has taken my love of creativity in the kitchen to extraordinarily new heights. Mind you, I have never been very confident in the kitchen until verrrrry recently. I also consider myself an “intuitive” cook, which means … doesn’t follow recipes. But lately, I have started to pay careful attention to the process to deepen my learning. Having the time to really make something well has been such a beautiful journey of self growth for me. I know I’m not alone in this right now!
And so, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve been making with you in case it sparks any inspiration. I’d love to hear what you are making too if you want to share in the comments below.
Dinners / Lunches
Tomato Poached Cod by Alison Roman (my go to, I make this all the time with different approaches)
Chicken Harissa Sheet Pan - by Melissa Clark (my second most made dish)
Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric by Alison Roman (THE STEW)
Creamy Farro with Crispy Mushrooms and Sour Cream by Alison Roman (I use greek yogurt instead)
Seared Broccoli (or Cauliflower) Potato Soup (with some gooood seedy hardy bread to dip into)
Mahi Mahi with Smashed White Beans (soo good, made this yesterday - I randomly had Mahi Mahi in my Imperfect Produce box)
Pasta with Fennel, Mint and Anchovies from Bon Appetit (so weird but damn tasty, I also used spinach ravioli instead)
Salt & Pepper Whole Chicken ever by Melissa Clark (I never thought making a whole chicken could be this damn simple)
No-Knead Focaccia - from Bon Appetit
Chicken Tikka Masala by Alison Roman
Caramelized Shallot Pasta by Alison Roman (homemade or quality store-bought pasta is the key here)
Lentil Soup with greek yogurt on top
Curry Dish (I love adding salmon, tofu, cod, and whatever veggies I have on top of rice. I love using Yai’s Yellow Curry because it’s delicious and Whole30 approved.
Sweets
Lemon Turmeric Tea Cake by Alison Roman
Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies from NY Time Cooking
THE Alison Roman Shortbread Chocolate Chip Cookies (I made these twice the first week of quarantine)
Date Honey Loaf with Plums on top! (I sliced plums and sprinkled brown sugar on top and it was DIVINE). I also hear this Plum Torte from NYTimes is next level)
Breakfast
Easy Vegetable Frittatas (made with literally any veggie from my Imperfect Produce box)
Cast Iron Potato Hash with a cracked egg on top (get creative - other veggies like beets or leftover french fries can even work here!)
Date Cinnamon Rolls (from the cover of Bon Appetit)
Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes by Alison Roman (insanely good)
Drinks
Yerbe Matte with mint leaves, collagen + honey (I gave up coffee at the beginning of quarantine because I was bouncing off the walls!)
Yogi Ginger Tea (always before bed)
MUD/WTR (delicious and super energizing healthy coffee alternative)
Celery Juice (first thing in the morning)
Iced Tea (with whatever teabags are left in my cupboard)
Calm Magnesium Powder (for my water throughout the day to help me relax and sleep deeply)
Any other suggestions? Would love to know what you’re loving :)