Tired, Lazy, Sleepwalking: HBU?
perhaps similar to this newsletter –
I'm currently penning, you are feeling quite lazy. A little tired. Bleary eyed and sleepwalking through whatever week of lockdown it is. Yes. I have arrived at this place after months of being 'quite cool' with existing in a p******c (I just can't look at the word anymore).
So I apologise that this email is a) late-ish b) not particularly *lyrical* and c) somewhat 'uninspired' – although I am of course secretly hoping that you can relate and that I won't be taking up unnecessary space in your inbox for no reason at all.
Instead of the usual food nostalgia, I'm going to list ten observations I've made over the week (inspired by Alisha Sommar, who does this everyday and I love reading it on her website).
1. Don't try to make a grilled cheese with stale, frozen farmhouse white bread that is lighter than cardboard. Also, you need butter. And mayonnaise. And patience. The olive oil grilled cheese that isn't totally melted inside is not a vibe.
2. 'Normality' is a word that feels uncomfortable in my mouth. It needs dissecting. It's changed. I have changed.
3. The problem is never the problem. Not talking about the problem is the real issue at hand.
4. Roasting a chicken on a Friday night is a game changer, as is roasting purple heritage carrots in its juices (in fact anything cooked in chicken juice is like... excellent. Unless you're a vegetarian. Sorry guys).
5. When you don't have to wear a knit, just a mere silk shirt and a Burberry trench to do the most mundane, quotidian tasks – things feel better and instantly more glamourous.
6. Deliveries deliver dopamine. It's a fact.
7. Three martinis during a Zoom call with your mate will result in ordering a double cheeseburger with cajun fries. Next time I'll sub fries for a shake, in case you were wondering. (Of course you weren't. Just look at the title of this newsletter).
8. It's easier to just be sad than try to hold it in and pretend that everything is perfect. Perfection is exhausting.
9. Carbonara & coffee ™️ for breakfast should be a ritual.
10. I finally understand Korean beauty. I actually felt like one after wearing a bubble sheet mask for ten minutes.
So here's to feeling too lazy to make sense of the world in long sweeping statements. Give into tiredness. Be lazy. Be imperfect. Write down things you notice. Stay in bed.
Cat x
not-my-carbonara.
On the theme of laziness, I won't be providing a pithy recipe-not-recipe as this week was mainly just burgers and dumplings, a roast chicken and then this Alison Roman carbonara. What I will say is that I finally understand why measurements in cooking are sometimes really helpful, and also when you use the best of the best ingredients, meals really do taste better (shout out to Cacklebean for their OJ-hued yolks and London Smoke & Cure for their out-of-this-world dry aged bacon).
food for thought.
– In case you're interested in the secret economics of food delivery (I was, thank you The Economist)
– Why are we so obsessed with looking at food we can't taste? An archive piece on The Atlantic about what food porn does to the brain.
– I loved reading Rob Allison's piece Korean Cooking, My Mother And Me for The Guardian – lots of personal parallels (Korean mother, English father, caught between two cultures and finally understanding yourself through the food of your heritage).
leftovers.
– Speaking of carbonaras, quite into the look of this mushroom one by my fave Molly Baz
– There's a lot of tomato content in my Instagram saved folder, here's one e.g.
– I love that American Bar in New York calls this The Salad, like it's the definitive salad and I am compelled to do the same for myself.
– Everything you need to know about carving a chicken, THANK YOU Carla Lalli Music.
– The comfort of spelt, mushroom, leek and goats cheese via Joe Woodhouse
– I've been thinking a lot about this mortadella and kimchi croque madame
– Also, George Reynolds playing the high-low game with oven waffles and cod's roe.
– Here's a couple of fun pics (by Jim Marsden for Paynter Jacket) of me inspecting a bottle of wine and cheers-ing to spring 👇🏽
before you go.
Obviously in more normal times, I'd suggest going for an IRL coffee (or more likely, a martini). But if you like what you're reading and want to support my writing, I've set up a Ko-Fi account.
and if you like what I'm putting down?
Tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell your lovers!