#37-42: Food Finds, Recipes & Cookbooks
44 Things That Spark Joy a.k.a. Sh*t That Makes Me Happy:
#37-42: Food Finds, Recipes & Cookbooks
I decided in my 44th year and in light of the fact that we are all (still) looking for things to spark joy in our lives to gather 44 things I’ve found along the way this past year and share them.
Food is the center of many things in my family. Holidays, celebrations, collaborations, hobbies and most of all - traditions. I find it fascinating that the smell of something cooking or a first bite can conjure up a memory as if the ingredients are some magic potion. In addition to taking pictures of people as a way to document the memories in our family, my mom always would always say, “take pictures of the food!” Just as important to us as the people that are attending the event, is the food that is served. My sisters and I all still do this. I find myself constantly yelling “FREEZE!” before my ravenous boys dig into a meal so I can take a quick picture.
Because my mom was an avid cook and my sisters and I have become the same way, we like to share recipes. We all own some of the same cookbooks and delight in collaborating on these shared recipes. As a daily ritual, we text on our group thread just before or right at dinner time… digitally yelling to one another in shouty capitals - ROLL CALL! Everyone chimes in what they are making that night for dinner and sometimes sends a photo. Some days one of us is making a gourmet meal from scratch and celebrating the presentation while one of the others has had a horrible day and is throwing Costco chicken nuggets on a plate. Despite the day’s outcome, we enjoy this daily practice. We use this as a means to collaborate on cooking techniques, share who liked a dish at our house (and often who didn’t), decide if we would make it again or recommend it to the others that have not made it previously. In this way, food connects us. This is part of our legacy that has been left to us to carry on by our mom.
For me personally, there are few things that I like more than food. Yes, food is fuel but there can also be so much pleasure found in eating and enjoying it with others. Although I try to watch what I eat for health reasons, I never not eat. Not once. Not ever. Because as one friend famously said once, a hungry Cara is not a happy Cara. Hangry runs deep amongst all our family members… on both sides. It’s not pretty people. I dare you to survive the wrath. The only time that I turn down food is when it is something that I really don’t like. I have a small but weird list of foods that I just can’t do. Meatloaf. Never. Mayonnaise and a few other savory white dressings and sauces… please get them away from me. I don’t do sushi, I can’t smell tuna without thinking of cat food and I don’t do organ meats. I guess most of these are all textural issues but for some reason I just don’t budge on these.
On the flip side of my distastes, there is another weird list of things that I love that a lot of people don’t. Black licorice flavored items…SIGN ME UP. I have never met an artichoke I didn’t like but am always surprised when others have never tried them. I also will try just about any variety of Italian Dry Salami. Cue my eyes rolling back in my head. Cheap brands, fancy brands, there is no bad salami in my book. I know it’s probably one of the most unhealthy foods with the salt and fat content but pile it high and dry on some good sourdough and I will risk the clogged arteries any day of the week.
I guess most of my taste in food is fairly simple. I love a good roasted chicken, a juicy filet mignon, a nice green salad with a vinaigrette, a sour dill pickle from a deli and chocolate of any variety. I would never claim to be a foodie even though I like nice and well prepared food since I am not super adventurous. I have gotten better as I have gotten older at trying new things but again I don’t seek out new things… only try to find the best of my favorites. When it comes to those menu items, if I find something I like that is good, I shout it from the rooftops.
So here are my fun food finds that I have stumbled onto recently and two of my favorite cookbook series’ that I use weekly. Maybe some of you will find a treasure in them too!
As my mom always used to say.. Mangia! Let’s eat!
Enjoy!
Coro Salami
Originally started by the Batali family at the famous Salumi deli here in Seattle, this salami is delicious! I personally love the original salumi and the finocchiona flavors!
Killer Brownies
Be still my heart. These can’t be replicated. Get your drawstring pants on and eat up. Dorothy Lane Market out of Ohio will ship them directly to your house!
Nielsen Massey Fine Vanillas & Flavors
These extracts take your baking next level. I was gifted a jug of the almond extract and I want to bathe in it because it smells so good. It tastes even better!
Pumpkin Seeds
When I want something salty but don’t want to fill up on chips, I get the sea salt flavor of these! They are so tasty!
Skinnytaste - Website & Cookbooks
I own several of her cookbooks. Not all the recipes are winners but many of them are hits with my family. Healthy food that tastes great… how can you go wrong?
The Barefoot Contessa: Modern Comfort Foods
I know the Barefoot Contessa is widely known, but I really love this cookbook. The crispy chicken recipe calls to me in the night and I can’t get enough of the English roasted potatoes.