Friday Favorites
Protein-Packed Baked Oatmeal, dragon reads and kitchen reboots
Welcome to Friday Favorites! This is a quick glimpse of my week that goes out to all subscribers (free and paid). I include a fan-favorite recipe we made in a cooking class, something I’m watching, reading, or listening to, a recent find, and a win for the week.
What I’m Cooking
Earlier this fall, I wrote a post called Easy Breakfasts for Early Mornings. Working off this idea, I tweaked the Baked Oatmeal recipe from my cookbook to try to sneak in more protein. I’m trying to focus on getting enough protein, which feels impossible, but I’ve realized that if I have any chance of reaching my goal, I need to start early in the day! I used the basic outline of my cookbook recipe, but I added plain Greek yogurt, subbed a larger quantity of egg whites for one whole egg and added plain organic whey protein. As you'll read in the breakfast post linked above, I'm not a fan of vanilla protein powder. The newer, improved version of my Baked Oatmeal turned out delicious! We had a little for dessert Monday night and used the rest for an early, reheated breakfast topped with fresh blueberries during the week. The recipe has notes for those of you who are gluten-free and dairy-free. I hope you love it—it's really hard to resist when it comes out of the oven warm and smelling like an oatmeal cookie.
You can find all the SITK recipes I’ve shared on Substack in my Recipe Index.
What I’m Reading
I'm somewhat embarrassed that I wrote about XO Kitty last week. I gave up watching somewhere in Season 2 because the cheese factor started to ooze. I just read a rave review about Asura on Netflix and plan to start it as soon as I make my way through Onyx Storm (if you know, you know). But also, if you don't know, start with the first two books in the series, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.
What I’m Coveting
Does your kitchen need a 2025 reset? I have a class for that! It's an inexpensive pre-recorded online class called Kitchen Reboot if you want to check it out. My college-age daughter just did a mini reboot in her own kitchen and ordered this bamboo silverware tray. I have a similar one from The Container Store that I love, and if you watch my online Kitchen Reboot class, I share all my recommendations and links for kitchen and pantry organization.
This Week’s Win
When I was in Paris in January, I created a custom journal at Louise Carmen. My book has two notebook inserts, and I've turned one into a gratitude journal. It feels so good to write down a flood of everything I'm thankful for and I highly recommend it. Replace all those feelings of "if only" with "already grateful." It's an uplifting mindset shift.
GIFT CARD
Looking for a birthday or “just because” gift for your best friend, mom, sister, or aunt Sally? I have the perfect idea! You can gift a subscription to my Substack! The annual subscription can start whenever you want!
Order my award-winning cookbook, Dinner is Done! It includes over 100 weeknight and family-friendly recipes, including chapters on meatless mains, fish and sauces, appetizers and snacks, cocktails, desserts and more.
