Le Digestif #16: January 22 2022
Citrus Season, Flora & Foodies, Sober Curiosity
Welcome welcome to le digestif edition 2 of 2022. I’m back in the concrete jungle wet dream tomato that is New York City. I may be freezing (hello cold snap) but my heart and belly are so warm because I’m back eating at my restaurants with my favourite people.
This year, I have the big hairy audacious goal of sharing a meal with 100 interesting creative people, a fun project which I will announce soon! If you’re down to hang with me and are NYC-based, just reply to this and I’ll find us a time. Excited to hang 🙂
Ok without further ado, let’s dig in fronds! *record scratch*
Actually, before we dig in, please enjoy this video of a man traversing long snowy distances only to discover that this Jamaican joint is closed. Bread but in French (pain)
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TO SHOP: Trader Joe’s
Yes, Canada has free healthcare and cute Prime Ministers, but we will not become a true utopia until the first Trader Joe’s ends up in the Great White North. Anytime I make it back stateside, one of my first priorities is to visit this heavenly foodie home. Skipping the produce (this is such a hot take but Trader’s Joe produce, do better) and heading straight for the snack section.
With each visit, I witness the formulation of another snack concept that has never been done before. Constantly raising the bar out here, Joe!
On this visit, I picked up some dried fruit classics to bring some sunshine into my life. The chile-spiced dried mango slices are the slightly more portable version of a mangonada and the sweetened dried orange slices are just perfect. Great on their own or top a cute cake if you run out of fresh oranges.
My new favourite and one that I hope stays are the spicy mochi rice nuggets. These are just incredible with that spicy, slightly zesty, crunchy trifecta that I need in a savoury snack.
Also reunited with my personal faves a jar of crunchy speculoos cookie butter & kettle corn. I wouldn’t have survived college without these so always lovely to remember your roots.
If you have other Trader Joe’s faves, send them my way so that I can conduct some rigorous research.
TO DINE: Union Square Café
It’s Restaurant Week in NYC aka the perfect time to practice the art of the power lunch on a budget. From January 18th to February 13th, restaurants across the city are offering great deals for lunch and dinner at $29,$39, and $59. I think it’s an incredible opportunity to cross off fine dining spots that you’ve been dying to try but also check out new spots to add to your restaurant list.
This week, I completed another step in my Danny Meyer fangirl guidebook by visting Union Square Cafe. This is a cultural institution offering the classics of French, Italian, and American cuisine. Just witnessing people engage in their craft is incredible. The fusilli pasta with pork sausage was a hit, the salad was incredible, but the real star of the show was the Panna cotta.
Truly the most immaculate dessert, smooth chocolate combined with decadent cream and topped with a crunch brownie-like crisp & a bold crumble. Bonus points, their non-alcoholic cocktails were a hit and the citrus one I had was one that I’m dying to replicate.
Other faves that I’m excited to visit are Tomiño, Harlem Fieldtrip, Sushi on Jones, and Kissaki! For more Restaurant Week options, head to their website!
TO BAKE: Erin McDowell’s Blood Orange Brûlée Galette
Friend of the newsletter and pie queen extraordinaire Erin McDowell is encouraging us to embrace the joys of citrus season in a hearty way. Watch this awesome video for a lovely breakdown!
Snagging two recipes from her Book on Pie, Erin couples the rough puff pastry infused with cocoa powder with supreme sliced blood oranges for this beautiful, rustic dessert. I love galettes so much because any baker regardless of skill level can pull it off!
Definitely making this dessert this week once I get the crew together for a dinner party!
TO ATTEND (NYC): Create Dinner’s Flower Workshop, Feb 18th, Cherry on Top!
In last week’s newsletter, I gave a shoutout to some of my favourite dinner party orgs that are bringing food and fun together. It’s not exactly food-focused but I do believe that having good taste in decor can make dinners so much better.
Create Dinners, run by friend of the newsletter Kate Pauley, is partnering with Flowers by Food to host a floral arrangement workshop. Not only do you get all the supplies for creating a lovely arrangement but you also get some natty wines and snacks for the whole group, courtesy of Cherry on Top!
There are a few tickets left so be sure to snag them and bask in the beauty of flowers and beautiful people!
If you’re a creative woman or non-binary person and can’t make this event, don’t fret. Apply to Dinner 17 this spring in NYC!
TO BUY: Hot Bagel Weekend by Libby and Zoe!
You know I love me a NYC bagel but there’s nothing I love more than snagging baked goodies from one of my favourite foodie heroes, Zoë Kanan. I had the incredible honour of meeting Zoe this summer on a cookbook shoot and she’s just a wonderful human filled with innovative food ideas and a love of the nerdy side too.
Anyways, this weekend, Zoe is whipping up some bagels and sandos with some friends at Kit Brooklyn from 10am-2pm! I won’t tell you how to live your life but you have to try these! Can’t wait to make these bagels a part of my week! Save yourself some time and pre-order here!
TO READ: I’m Tired of Explaining Why I Don’t Drink by Sarah Wood
One of my really good friends and phenomenal writer Sarah Wood (subscribe to her newsletter) penned this beautiful essay on her decision to quit drinking but struggling to explain it in a world where most of our social events revolve around the supposed truth elixir that is alcohol. I think the tide is turning with more people embracing the sober curious lifestyle, leaning more into non-alcoholic options, or seeing alcoholic beverages as things to savour and appreciate as opposed to gross overconsumption!
This particular paragraph resonated with me. No matter your opinion towards alcohol, this is definitely worth a read.
That’s all for this week, folks! Stay warm, stay safe, eat happy and be well!
Your friend in food,
Abena
If this sparked joy for you, share and spread the good foodie word!
I totally agree with you on produce at TJ's! I only go there for my favorite freezer & snack foods, so I always worry that people will judge the ratio of processed to unprocessed food in my cart. My favorite snack to get there is their Jalapeño Seasoned Corn & Rice Puffs - so, so tasty. From the freezer, I really like their asparagus risotto. It's easy to dress up with more veggies (which I do get from another grocer!), and it comes together with minimal time and effort.