Reading Material: Friendsgiving Edition

Image: Laura Messersmith

This week was better than last in the Dept. of Getting Stuff Done, fewer Internet rabbit holes ensnared me, the cooking was focused, my props mostly behaved themselves during their time in the limelight, and this weekend we have a Friendsgiving party to attend. Yay!

As you might imagine I’ve been plotting and scheming what to make since we received the invitation with a mental Pinterest board about seventy-five items (25% of which were pies) that would be a-mazing to make. Overkill, much? Probably a good thing our hosts put together a list of assignments or I might have showed up with everything from appetizers and dessert to the bird itself…

With my role clearly defined – two sides (this Herbed Butternut Squash & Apple Mash and a Winter Greens Gratin I can’t wait to share with you) and some assistance with turkey roasting – I did find some time to peruse a few Internet items. Here’s what caught my attention this week.

Reading Material:
A timely and relevant question in all entertaining moments, but particularly in times of high-pressure cooking: what to wear? The New Potato has some thoughts on Friendsgiving outfits.

Am I the only one who mainlined The Great British Bake-off when Netflix released it a few weeks ago and then searched madly for more seasons? GQ has perfectly distilled my thoughts on why the show is so good.

And while we’re at it, The Toast continues to kill it with their list of horrifying desserts on GBBO. Just a small slice of “treacle and desperation tart” for me, thanks.

Cooking TV presenter, Rachel Khoo, who knows what it’s like to cook in a small kitchen first hand, summarized her essential cooking tools. Do you agree with her list? (via Food52)

The New York Times notes that written recipes have evolved over time - as a writer, reader, and follower (sometimes) of recipes it resonated. Do you prefer direct and to the point, or a bit more story along the way?

I haven’t made it to Sadelle’s in Soho yet, but Bon Appétit says it’s like something out of a Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. They had me at “whimsy.”

Memorial Day Reading Material

Can you believe it’s Memorial Day weekend already? I know I say this every year, but seriously, the time is passing incredibly quickly. We’re off to Long Island to stay with friends for the long weekend and if our last visit is any indication there will be lots of relaxing, lots of great conversation, and I’ll probably be given the proverbial keys to the kitchen. (yay!) As you can probably imagine I’m already gleefully plotting what I’ll do with all that counter space….

While I’m cooking up a storm in the Land of Ina, I’ve left you some reading material. Here’s what caught my eye this week:

Summer isn’t complete without a glass of chilled rosé, and since Town and Country agrees with me they helpfully compiled this list of 18 facts for those who love to #DrinkPink.

In case you’re in the market, Grub Street collected a stack of food-related books to read while lounging in the park or on the beach.

The lead up to David Letterman’s final show this week was paved with amazing appearances and this one by the lovely (and honest!) Tina Fey cracked me up. (via New York Mag)

Did you hear about the new café in Milan designed by Wes Anderson? No plans to go to Italy any time soon, but it’s on my list just in case and Vogue has the photos that tempted me.

And lastly, Bon Appétit has a piece on “Cubes” by Lernert & Sander a work that transforms familiar ingredients into modern art. I might have spent 15 minutes trying to identify some of the food they used. You've be warned!