‘A love letter to…’ is a bi-weekly publication relating to anything and everything kitschy. Today’s edition is all about what I’ve been loving lately. Grab an apron (and maybe someone to put on dish-cleaning duty) and let’s get cooking!
Hi everyone! How is your Summer (or Winter) so far? Mine has been mildly overcast, with a lot of relaxing. I haven’t been incredibly inspired by food recently, as I mentioned in the ‘Summer baking’ love letter, this tends to happen every Summer, so I’m leaning into it.
This explains why today, instead of my usual love letter, I’ve gathered a list of things I’ve enjoyed recently. I love writing these, and based on the response to my last herd of recommendations, you enjoy reading them1. I hope this edition provides you with some things to occupy the blank spaces in Summer.
Feeling My Shelf; ‘A bi-weekly newsletter about books, life, and well, life with books.’ The incredible graphics only add to this wonderfully cozy and fun (!) newsletter. I look forward to each and every edition.
Eat Your Books; a website recommended by one of my favorite newsletters, Downtime, which allows you to take a peek into the recipes of whichever cookbook you’re currently yearning after. It’s been incredibly helpful in streamlining my excessively long cookbook wishlist.
To all the recipes I’ve loved before; ‘My fave online recipes to make at home. Sent monthly to help you plan your next meal. By Sonya Gee.’ This newsletter had me hooked from the moment I read the name. It’s a fabulous one to subscribe to if you’re a fan of ABC News’ recipe collection, or you live in the Southern hemisphere2.
One Tree Hill; a classic 2000s show that’s a little slow to start, but- without any spoilers- is very much worth sticking to.
What’s in the bag; As a person who… likes to be informed, let’s say, I feel like this series was made for me. So far, Emma Watson’s interview in 2019 is decidedly my favorite, but I also love Margot Robbie’s. I’m open to suggestions if you’re also someone who enjoys them!
The alternate storylines of Pretty Little Liars3; If you were also obsessed with PLL in 2014, and are still mildly let down by the reveal of A, you too, will greatly appreciate this series.
A chat with Trader Joe’s queen, Bria Lemirande; Bria is someone I’ve been following since late 2021, and the person who created the soup I go back to time and time again; I also hold her solely responsible for my two-year-long avocado toast + iced tea fixation. I loved hearing a little more about her, as well as her TJ’s tried and trues.
Giggly squad; I’m 99 % sure that you’ve heard at least one person recommend this before, if that’s the case, allow me to be yet another person on your timeline who advocates for this podcast. It feels like I’m a fly on the wall, which are the best types of podcasts, IMO. Apologies to all the people who have seen me giggling to myself!
An interview with Reese Witherspoon; Whilst I don’t (or didn’t) know much about Reese, I do know a lot about Legally Blonde. It was interesting to find out more about the actress behind the pink-loving character, and may or may not have convinced me to rewatch the three movies for the thousandth time.
I always forget about chicken cutlets, but they’re so! good! With tomato basil pasta4 (or a minimal heat version)? And an arugula salad? Say less. This is a pretty high effort meal, so if you have the means to: make sure to delegate! And please, have someone else on dish duty… and maybe let said dishwasher choose the movie for tonight, to make up for it.
I have an itch for Italian-ish food this week; this is my (current) ideal summer lunch. I don’t love ranch but I could (and would) drink this Green Goddess version. Plus chips and melon, and maybe a fun drink- MAYBE!5
I also feel like blackberries are so underrated, understandably so; when they’re bad, they’re awful… but when they’re good, they’re fabulous. This is me reminding you that right now, they’re fabulous! I rotate between frozen and fresh and almost always use them in these blackberry chip overnight oats.
Thank you for reading today’s edition, I’ll be back in your inbox in a couple of weeks with a new love letter. If you’re not yet receiving them, subscribe to have a love letter delivered to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis, and, if viewing in the substack app, click the heart button below. Until then, happy cooking!
Which I was thrilled to learn!!
If you do, it’s the perfect time to make Bria’s salmon! Or tortellini soup! Or a really good salad!
From the author, so you know it’s viable.
If you’re not willing to use your blender (understandable), this skillet burst cherry tomato pasta is also very good.
Unfortunately, I can’t justify splashing $5 on a can of wannabe soda.
I was so disappointed by the ending of pretty little liars! 😣