Friday Favorites
Shortcut chicken tikka in the Instant Pot, Isola, and the perfect pants!
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
My cooking this week was super minimal because I snuck out of town early Wednesday morning for a friend’s 50th birthday in San Francisco. On Monday, I made my favorite lazy Chicken Tikka with a jarred simmer sauce I always keep stocked in my pantry. I add the whole jar to my Instant Pot with 3-4 cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6-7 boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If you’re feeding more than four, add a little extra chicken and it will still work. On Monday when I made this, I added a couple of peeled and cubed Russet potatoes and, right before serving, I stirred in two large handfuls of chopped curly kale with the stems removed. To cook in your Instant Pot, seal the lid and steam valve and cook breasts for 12 minutes and thighs for 14 minutes. I’m always in a hurry, so I release the steam manually with a towel covering the valve so I don’t get burned. If you like a creamier consistency, add about 1 cup of coconut milk (and the yummy, creamy thick part that accumulates on top). Heavy cream or half and half would also work. Serve with basmati rice, cauliflower rice and/or lentils. A side of simple steamed cauliflower would also be good to soak up the delicious sauce. Top with some cilantro if you have it and like it, but if you don’t, it will still be delicious!
You can find all the SITK recipes I’ve shared on Substack in my Recipe Index.
What I’m Reading
I started Isola by Allegra Goodman on my flight to San Francisco and it’s such a page-turner of a story. I’m about a third of the way through, but the dramatic storyline of being an orphaned woman in 16th-century France is so infuriating and heartbreaking. The story is inspired by the real life of a French noblewoman stranded in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. I also just binged Four Seasons, which was entertaining but slightly depressing and sad, in my opinion. Now I want to watch the original Four Seasons with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett.
What I’m Coveting
I typically dress very casually and wear jeans 90% of the time. I just ordered these sagey green Le Slim Palazzo FRAME jeans, and they’re so perfect. They call the color “thyme.” They're high-waisted and stretchy with a slightly wider leg, but not so wide that I look clownish. They're also so good with a boxy t-shirt!
This Week’s Win
I'm taking it slow(er) for a bit and it feels great. I knew I’d want a flexible schedule while my college kids were home and my youngest was studying for AP exams and finals. I'm thanking my past self for saying no to a couple of events and clearing space in my calendar.
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GIFT CARD
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