Leftovers #193
I am writing this on a very empty train from Penzance to London, my third coast-to-city trip in a month. It still feels somewhat glamorous, although part of me is lamenting missing so much of a Cornwall summer (I truly cannot complain considering I’m flying to Marseille on Tuesday).
Harry Styles’ song Fine Line is ringing in my AirPods, an unexpected anthem to this season, part Rhye, part James Vincent McMorrow with those epic brass interludes. It’s contributing to my renewed season of yearning, resurrected by various series which have clearly hacked into my brain algorithm and are serving me the type of rom-com content that I didn’t know I needed. Sigh. Nothing like staring out the train window to give you insufferable main character energy. Cue the monologue.
Good things to consume (bodily)
My version of ‘couldn’t be bothered to cook’ was a high effort (but high reward) spring green chicken schnitzel situation: butterfly, flatten and cut 2 chicken breasts into piece. Salt, coat with panko breadcrumbs laced with onion powder, garlic powder and dried oregano + salt, dip into whisked egg, dip back into the panko to fully coat then fry up in some neutral oil until brown. Served it up with some Cornish yoghurt topped with broad beans and olive oil, charred broccolini and smashed potatoes mixed with plenty of butter, salt and pepper. Salsa v optional but IMHO necessary.
Crab pasta went hard on my guests’ final night last Friday: sliced fennel, chopped lemon and garlic fried up in olive oil + tomato miso paste + pasta water + crab meat + pappardelle. Ran out of gochujang otherwise would have used that. Paired it with a homemade caesar salad with toasted panko breadcrumbs. Perfectly paired with a bottle of chilled red.
Making breakfast salads a thing!!! Bitter leaves mixed with your dressing of choice (obviously mine’s a lime miso vinaigrette). Homemade smoked mackerel pate (blitz up smoked mack + yoghurt + dill + lemon juice + pepper). Two jammy eggs. Salsa v or chilli oil to drizzle on top. Sliced avocado. If I had time, would have done some home fries (cubed and seasoned potatoes, roasted in the oven until crispy).
On that note, I did just that the other morning for brunch: beetroot from a friend’s garden, diced up with the potatoes, seasoned with plenty of chopped fresh rosemary, salt and pepper and olive oil, roasted for about an hour until everything was crispy.
One day this week I ate the same meal three times a day: butter roasted salmon, crushed new potatoes, charred broccolini, bitter leaves, salsa verde. I kept it in a massive metal bowl in the fridge thinking it would do me for a few days of lunches but I simply could not be bother to cook anything else.
My friend Becca came round and made me her famous porridge for breakfast. I never make porridge myself because it will never be as good as hers. Something about the star anise and cinnamon compote with apples and blueberries…
A few good things to cook this weekend
I keep seeing potato-crusted quiches and pumping my fist in delight because potatoes are better than pastry IMHO.
V helpful instructional video on how to spatchcock a chicken (removing the breast bone, who knew!) and how to roast it under a brick. Trying this when I get back home.
Actually going to make these fried stuffed courgette flowers this summer.
On that note: crab stuffed squash blossoms.
Good things to consume (culturally)
Was genuinely gripped listening to the latest Observer Slow Newscast episode about illegal fly-tipping (stay with me) and how one specific dump in the English countryside might be connected to guns, drugs and gangs.
For the sartorially minded, two hard-hitting pieces of journalism: What Makes The Best Summer Shoe? (genuinely helpful as someone who has just bought a pair of square-toed Havaianas); and the second, a recommendation from one of my smartest friends, Jemma: The Must-Have Lingerie According to New York City Strippers for Interview, a link she sent in our girl’s group to a thoroughly positive reaction.
Really loved Daniel Dae Kim’s thoughtful answer on representation when asked about ethnic-specific casting.
My latest essay is about feeling like you’re waiting for something big to happen whilst life happens around you.
Looking forward to watching Union County, a new film with Will Poulter who plays a young addict going through the drug courts system in Ohio.
Obviously I watched Voicemails For Isabelle on Netflix, and no I didn’t think I’d cry so much. Watched it with Becca and we balled the whole way through. Hate when the rom com makes me want the rom and com. Can’t stop daydreaming and listening to the playlist.
Good things to consume (aesthetically)
On the hunt for The Creative Travellers’ wares whilst on Vancouver Island in August. Obsessed with her ‘mitosis memory’ picture frame.
Enamoured with this singular vintage Georg Jensen earring photographed by my wonderful friend Tor Harrison on a recent Francli Craftwear shoot (art directed by Jess, my Studio Colt partner in design).
Glossy ceramic tile shelf edge inlays? Yep yep yep.
Jess and I are exploring lamps for our first design challenge. Love this one designed by Takenobu Igarashi.
Just a note that I really love your newsletter!! Keep 'em coming -
Brooke