Friday Favorites
Almond Strawberry Galette, Sounds Like Love, and my Spain finds
Welcome to Friday Favorites! This quick glimpse of my week goes out to all subscribers (free and paid). I include a fan-favorite recipe, something I’m watching, reading, or listening to, a recent find, and a weekly win.
What I’m Cooking
It’s almost July, which means grilling, picnics, and easy summer dinners that don’t require a lot of heat, pans, or fussy ingredient prep. I’m headed home from the most amazing food trip to Madrid. You can find more details here, and I’ll share a full recap soon. There are a few things I had on my trip that I want to recreate at home: strawberry-rhubarb elderberry cocktails, perfectly tangy and emulsified gazpacho, baked Swiss chard that’s almost like a gratin but not creamy, and hot-smoked salmon with a creamy dill sauce. The produce has been gorgeous in Madrid, and the prices for perfect strawberries and gorgeous heirloom tomatoes can’t be beat. After browsing all the markets and menus, I’m craving one of my favorite summer dessert recipes and I want to get it to you before the 4th of July. It makes a small, rustic galette that’s forgiving but looks fancy. Serve with ice cream or my Mascarpone Whipped Cream. The beauty of my Mascarpone Whipped Cream is that you can make it the morning of or the day before your gathering, so the annoying sound of a hand mixer or KitchenAid won’t interrupt your party. I learned how to make whipped cream laced with mascarpone during my restaurant externship after culinary school, it would hold for 2 or 3 days, covered well with plastic wrap, in the walk-in.
You can find all the SITK recipes I’ve shared on Substack in my Recipe Index.
What I’m Reading
On the plane to Spain, I read Sounds Like Love, which has a plot element that requires you to suspend belief in what’s probable. But the book grew on me more and more as I turned the pages, and if you’re a fan of music, you’ll love it. It reminds me of the general vibe of Mary Jane or Daisy Jones & The Six. Up next: Far and Away, with its house swap theme, it will be an ideal summer read.
I also recently downloaded Artist’s Way, which I haven’t revisited since I worked as a producer for Women.com in San Francisco in my 20s. This July, I plan to resume my morning practice of journaling. It might not happen EVERY morning, but a girl can set goals. I’ve also flirted with the idea of “dry July” if anyone is inspired to take that on as tribute.
Inspired by my musical theater-loving friends during my trip to Madrid, I downloaded Mamma Mia and Les Misérables for my return flight.
What’s In My Cart
I’ll do a haul video on Instagram of what I brought home from Spain, which includes a combination of tuna packed in extra-virgin olive oil, Albariño vinegar, reduced sherry vinegar, espadrilles, and white Loewe sneakers. You can find Castañer Espadrille Wedges in the States, too, but I love the flat ones that look like Mary Janes. And the VAT cash back and Euro pricing on the Loewe shoes was worth the 20-minute line to enter the store!
This Week’s Win
Being invited on this trip, exploring a new city and country I’d never explored, and spending time with new and old friends was the perfect way to kick off summer!
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That strawberry tart looks perfect for picnic fare