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So, in week 16 of DF and week 51 of the year, I want to say thanks for joining me on this Substack journey. It’s been fun and will continue to be fun, I hope, into the next year(s). This is also to say that this is the final Decision Fatigue of 2023. Annnd it’s also to say - have anyone you think might want to join in on DF things? Please feel free to send the newsletter along to them as well. You can use the button below:
This week, I want to talk about holiday cooking, not Thanksgiving. Not necessarily just Christmas dinner, but cooking in general around this time of year. I think it’s a particularly fun time because nothing is as beholden to a formula as it is on turkey day, and there’s still plenty of time that you can dedicate to trying out a few “projects”. With long, dark afternoons and cold temps (depending on where you’re at), what better way to spend your time than taking time to make something delicious?
Below I’ve included some projects I want to try out between now and the end of December. I’ll keep you updated with what actually gets made.
For slow mornings & big breakfasts
Dan Pelosi (better known as GrossyPelosi)’s Rabanadas. I’ve been eyeing this Portuguese version of French toast for quite some time and am determined to make it in the next couple of weeks. It follows a similar formula as regular French toast, but ups the ante in the texture department by basically lightly frying the bread in olive oil and then covering it in cinnamon & sugar. Crispy on the outside, custardy on the inside, and wow I want to be eating this right now.
For afternoon projects & a yummy dinner
These eggplant involtini from Alexandra’s Kitchen. The recipe on the website literally starts off with the sentence, “On the fussiness scale, this recipe is up there.” Which is music to my ears, personally (when I have the time and energy and am looking for cooking projects.) It’s essentially thinly sliced eggplant rolled up with ricotta and baked in a tomato sauce. I’ve been in a love affair with eggplant since this summer, and this cozier version sounds absolutely ideal for a chilly evening.
This chicken, potato, brie, and thyme tart. Need I say more?
Broccoli, leek, and potato soup. I absolutely love simple soups and can’t wait to try out this combo. I’ll probably add some garlic as well. Or maybe make some garlic bread to go along with it? It’s also vegan!
Roasted red pepper cauliflower soup. It is soup season after all! This one is inherently vegan as well.
Baking, both sweet & savory
These feta, olive, and herb muffins. A savory muffin! How fun.
A French chocolate moelleux cake. It’s gluten free and seems like it would be a perfect, decadent end to a holiday meal.
Chocolate Biscotti. Another one by Dan Pelosi. The recipe here has a white chocolate/peppermint crunch dip, which is festive and fun, but I’m going to skip out because I don’t love chocolate and peppermint. Including regardless for the many people that do! Can’t wait to dunk one of these in a morning coffee by the fire.
The winter solstice is this week, on Thursday the 21st. The shortest day of the year, but also the mark of days starting to creep back up in length. In other astrological news, the Geminid meteor shower is happening - it has been since November, but it reached its peak last week. There are some incredible photos of it here. It’s still technically happening through the end of the week, so if you can get a chance to check out the night sky (ideally with little light pollution around you), you may still catch some shooting stars.
To soundtrack your end of the year, Emory found this lovely stream of wintry jazz on YouTube. I’m imagining listening during an early morning with snow falling, if we ever see snow again here. Yesterday it was 45 degrees out. This is not what I moved out of Southern California for.
Well, that’s all folks (for now.) I hope your year wraps up with lots of good eats, music, drink, and time with people you care about.
Till next –
EG