Three Things

More easy dinners, more gifts I love, and your poem of the day

Greetings eaters and readers! Thank you to everyone who weighed in on last week’s hotline question: What is saving your life right now? During the holidays, particularly this one, it’s hard not to think about loss, and I was grateful for all the thoughtful responses — everything from painting to escapist TV to cooking dinner to rescue pets to family rituals. Speaking of which, on Saturday our little multi-faith family had its annual trim-the-tree-and-make-latkes celebration while listening to John Fahey and sipping on Brown Derbys, a drink made with bourbon, honey-syrup, and grapefruit juice, that is not traditional to anything except us, which is perhaps why it works so well.

Also: I went through my google doc notes from last Christmas (in our old house 😭😭), and forgot how organized I was — links or print-outs for every recipe, a shopping list, a game plan, and even notes written to my 2023 self with ideas for what I can do better. (Omg the pressure!) Subscribers! You’ll be getting the entire menu and all the recipes in your inbox on Friday — from starters to mains (including a vegetarian main that doubles as a side) to dessert. It will be somewhat modular so you can pick and choose what to work into your own menu…or just rip off the whole thing! That’s what I’m here for! Subscribe here if you don’t want to miss it…

And now, your Three Things…

1. This week in dinner

I finally did what I’ve been threatening to do all fall: I wrote up instructions for my 15-Minute Spicy Tofu with Cabbage and the Most Delicious Sauce. Because it’s such a quick way to eat a massive amount of vegetables, I make it for myself for lunch fairly regularly, but this year’s holiday rush had me cheffing it up for everyone at the dinner table and I found that it fully deserved its promotion. Yes, it relies on some store-bought cheats, but it’s seriously filling and faster than takeout. Other recent dinners: Shrimp with Feta (rivals that tofu for quick-and-easy); Pretzel Chicken with Honey-Mustard Sauce (will never not elicit cheers); Migas Tacos (tonight!) Ottolenghi’s Yogurt & Braised Greens (scroll to the bottom of this link) served over Samin Nosrat’s Tahdig — would absolutely not categorize those last two under “quick-and-easy,” but it’s a combo that sits solidly in our Saturday night rotation.

2. I heart New York

With the exception of my college years, I have lived in or around New York for my entire life, but moving back into Manhattan has unleashed a complete resurgence of New York City pride. (I had to really fight the urge to buy myself the John Lennon T-shirt back in September.) I don’t know if my kids feel the same, but in an effort to push them in that direction, these are a few things that may or may not be gifted to them this holiday. (Here is also where I test to see if my daughters actually read this newsletter.) A New York, New York Sweatshirt, which Joanna sent my way (her 2023 gift guide is amazing as always by the way); a festive MLB Yankee Cap, avert your eyes Boston friends! And: Subway Ornaments! At the MTA store, you can choose gifts by subway line, so I went with the one we’re on the most. Love you, 2/3 train!

P.S. How pretty is this cake stand? I wish I had included it in the DALS 2023 Holiday Gift Guide! P.P.S. My John Donohue restaurant sketch arrived. Shhhh…

3. Your poem of the day

My daughter’s senior thesis is about Emily Dickinson, and the other night while we were making dinner, after she spent the day at the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Mass, she read this one aloud:

Tell all the truth but tell it slant

Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —

Basically: You can’t handle the truth. How good is that?

Have a great week,

Jenny