Welcome to Cooking Stuff. This is a place where we talk about all things food, cooking, and life. I paused my regular publishing frequency to focus more on IRL projects but you will still hear from me every now and then, just like today. If you are not a subscriber, hit that button below to join us. Upgrade to a paid subscription to unlock the full archive of 80+ recipes and get cooking. More of me, here.
Hi friends! Long time no newsletter. Things over here have been busy. This week we have our last Backyard dinner for the season. I’m planning a very celebratory winter feast with latkes, butternut squash soup, a citrus salad, grilled steak, peppermint tiramisu, and more. Marco and I have had so much fun this year that I’m really excited to go out with a bang.
In addition to our dinners…I made a magazine! Appropriately named Cooking Stuff. My first volume was Thanksgiving where I shared my classic Thanksgiving recipes, fun little essays, and 69 stunning photos from Carina Clark. I only printed 63 copies, 13 for a special Backyard dinner and 50 to sell. They sold so fast I didn’t have time to promote them here, I’m sorry! During the dinner 14 guests came to Backyard, I cooked every recipe for them to try, and they took home their copy of the magazine to make the recipes later in the month. SO many people made the recipes. I was blown away by all the photos and messages I got. One person made every recipe from the magazine for her Thanksgiving meal!!!
I have two more volumes in the works. During our break from dinners, I’m working on Vol. 2 Comfort. Recipes that feel like a warm hug when you need it. I’m trying something new with the photos too. I ordered two new cameras and plan to shoot the recipes as I work on them here at home. I hope that it creates an intimate feel to this volume, like you are in my home with me. Then Carina will come in and get what I miss. I can’t replace her! She’s too good.
This has sparked a whole new side to my creativity. I have learned new skills and loved the entire process. My goal is to have Vol. 2 out in February and we will do a dinner to celebrate. Then I’ll shift my focus to Vol. 3 Summer…all those delicious fresh summer salads I make and more.
Below is my 2024 Gift Guide. I wasn’t going to make one this year but I got a few requests. As usual, these are items I purchased this year that I use regularly and have improved my life. Enjoy!
I feel like writing more so we will talk soon! Xx M
Techo Planner – This planner changed my life, seriously.
Carharts – These are technically Marco’s but they are unbelievably comfy that we share them now.
Cat Scratcher – A. This is cute B. You can turn it on three sides to get your money’s worth of scratching surfaces.
Nerds Gummy Clusters – Snack packs. Hand them out to a friend or eat one a day 😉.
Oura Ring – Truly obsessed.
Nikon Digital Camera – This is the little digital camera I am using.
Miele Dishwasher – Life changing…
TOTO WASHLET+ Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat – Also life changing…
Vacation Royal Pine Delux Candle – This is no Diptyque but we kind of love it. It smells like a 90s hotel lobby in the winter. Oddly nostalgic.
18x12 Boos Block – I have my big boy Boos but don’t pull it out every day. This is a better size that lives on the counter.
Refractometer – If you are making sorbet, you need a refractometer to calculate the sugar percentage. Digital is the way to go. Message me if you want more info.
Ceramics by Dacia A. Martinez – Dacia has become a friend and her ceramics are all over my house now. She’s located in Los Angeles for pick up and I think she ships, message her on Instagram.
Prequel Universal Skin Facial Solution Hypochlorous Acid Spray
COLOR WOW Dream Coat for Curly Hair – I’m trying to embrace my curls more but I’m really really lazy. I like this because I can just spray it on and go.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel – Forever the GOAT.
Magazines – If you are in LA head to Now Serving, a cookbook store in Chinatown. They have a wall of food zines. It’s my ultimate inspiration. These are some I love.
Finding Freedom, Erin French
Sift, Nicola Lamb
Health Nut, Jess Damuck
Steak, Hayward Tim
Chafolio Magnolia Green Tea – This tea is intoxicating and I have a glass almost daily.
Coconut Cult Probiotic Yogurt – Whole Foods and Sprouts has it.
Martinelli's Sparkling Cider Minis – Stock your house up with a case of these and walk into a holiday party with them. Martinelli’s is the drink of the season and the mini bottles are CUTE as hell.
Koda Farms Organic White Rice – Organic California grown rice. You can find it at shoppy shops all over and at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday.
Roan Mills Fresh Pasta – I’m obsessed with this pasta. The wheat is grown in Fillmore, milled, and made into fresh pasta by hand. Their bread and flour are fabulous too. They are at all the farmers markets. Same peeps as Kenter Canyon Farms aka the best lettuce and herbs.
If you need more gift ideas I still stand by everything in my past guides, really!
