Lunch with Paula, Canadian Butter and "Dinner Again."

Have you heard the one where I accidentally got incredibly high by the hand of my dear septuagenarian friend Paula and she had to drive me home? I thought not… 

Our Friday lunch date started innocently enough. I ordered an omelet and salad with dressing on the side and Paula got an egg sandwich with bacon, her sweet Shih-tzu Frankie at her feet. The two of us are doing dry January sort of together and as we patted each other on the back about making it this far, the conversation turned to what I thought was about alternative ways to wind down.

I’ll preface by saying, I don’t do well with stimulants. I once had to be wheeled out of Condé Nast on a stretcher due to another accidental intake. This one was called Blowfish, “a hangover remedy” then in beta that the digital team was testing out. After passing out in my office, I learned shortly thereafter it was essentially just caffeine and aspirin in an Alka Seltzer format. Buyer beware! Leading up to my dramatic collapse, I was running around the office making everyone cackle - things unraveled pretty quickly, but man I thought I was funny!

But, back to lunch. Given I had expressed my affinity towards winding-downers, Paula in turn suggested I try one of her Mr. Moxey’s Mints and without thinking I took one. In her defense, she did tell me it was Sativa, but what the heck do I know? Sativa certainly sounds relaxing!

We went on to have a lovely conversation about life, books, self-reflections and then BAM out of nowhere my chest started beating very fast and a hot flash took place, followed by another. I asked Paula how the mints were supposed to make one feel and she said, very casually, “you know, speedy!” Well friends, it went steeply downhill and a panic attack of mighty proportions was just kept at bay and I was laughably, laughably high. I asked for the check and for Paula to drive me home, because the self-proclaimed “grannie” got “this hipster” too stoned.

I wish I could have relaxed and enjoyed it as Paula suggested, but alas, I’m just too neurotic. You should also know that Paula comes up to about my hip in stature and was completely fine. Needless to say, I cannot hang. But, I am still laughing. Paula, GOD I love you, but I think I’ll pass on the mints next time. 

This is me and Paula at the most incredible book party she threw me last June. You see what I’m dealing with here?

Onward to…!

À Noter

Eating

Canadian bread and butter! My friend Michelle came from Toronto for the night and brought me the most insane bread and butter. A genius hostess gift! The butter is called St. Brigid’s and is made from Jersey cows with Canadian sea salt and hails from Ontario. It’s bananas good. She also brought me two loaves from Robinson Bread, which were also incredible! If you’re in Toronto, go!

Revisiting:

Rufus Wainwright’s album aptly entitled Rufus Wainwright from 1998. It’s still amazing.

Drinking:

Shrubbly’s! Still on my no booze kick. Only two more weeks to go! My friend Linda told me about these and I am fully obsessed. They are sparkly, not sweet and have great acidity. If you pour one in a wine glass, it looks like a piquette! I have two cases in my pantry.

And, finally, introducing….!

Dinner Again

Every morning I asked Chad the same question, which I’m sure you very may well ask yourselves. “What should we have for dinner?” And he faithfully responds, “dinner, again?” Because it happens EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, there is no way around it. I mentioned this recently, but Chad is generally not getting fancy meals here at Chez Lulu. I’m tired and have likely been writing about food or recipe testing something and getting dinner doesn’t always feel fun… But, I do it. Side note, but friends with kids, god bless you.

So I’m introducing another column, called “Dinner Again.” In it, I will share with you what I casually and truthfully made for dinner with what I have on-hand. Like last week, sometimes recipes from other people will also be included.

Why am I doing this? The hope is that these recipe ideas will provide you with some inspiration and get you through the week. Also, it’s for you to know that I’m rooting you on and likely in the similar boat. But, we’ve got this. Let’s go!

Saturday:

Sheet pan sesame salmon and string beans, which I first marinated with a mixture of miso, gochujang, rice wine vinegar and a bit of brown sugar. I served it with white sushi rice. A similar-ish recipe of mine from the NYT is here. Sorry about the paywall.

Sunday:

I made a pot of beans (no surprise here). Some went into a skillet with some onion and garlic that I softened along with some small, on the vine tomatoes that I cooked until they burst. I also wilted some Tuscan kale and threw it all into the oven with sausages on top. I showered it with Parm when it came out and had leftovers for Monday’s lunch. I also still have beans…

Monday:

A delightful vegetable soup with parsnips, potatoes, leeks, carrots and celery. I garnished with celery leaves and dill and ate it with the above mentioned toasted bread and butter. Leftovers for Tuesday’s lunch.

Tuesday:

Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini and Mascarpone (Who am I? Jessica Seinfeld?!) in red sauce. These meatballs are so light and fluffy and also amazing. I like to make my own marinara, it’s so easy! But, you could also buy a jar of Rao’s. Leftovers for… I think you got it.

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Dinner Again!

Feel free to drop what you made for dinner in the comments.

Paid subscribers, you will receive the recipe for Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini and Mascarpone and my Marinara on Sunday.

Oh, and next Wednesday, I will be featuring a special guest and recipe from her new cookbook, named one of the best of 2022 by the NYT!

Have a good one!

With love,

Colu x