This weekend was special because my parents just arrived from Minnesota to spend the next few months close by. We met up with them in their new space south of the city to explore their new home and spend some quality time in our new proximity. We also brought along essential groceries as a house-warming present. The long holiday weekend was filled with food, wine, family, and board games, giving us the perfect break from our work realities.
Here’s what I’m eating and reading this week:
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
This is probably one of my favorite books from the summer. As a Minnesota native, I really liked getting the chance to dip back into the culture and food of my former home state. There were some descriptions that were spot on (I, too, have not-so-fond childhood memories of lutefisk), and the presentation of the story through the lens of several separate but related narratives worked well to explore both the story and the Minnesota foodscape through different cultural prisms.
Recipes for a Beautiful Life: A Memoir in Stories by Rebecca Barry
A breezy book, but mostly enjoyable. This resonated with me as someone who is currently balancing the need and want to create, write, and explore my professional ideas with intensity with the day by day reality of a toddler who’s learning to climb and flop on the couch and the exhaustion that comes with it. I didn’t particularly like this book as a story or as a message, but I liked reading about someone else who struggled with the same things I am (and maybe had it worse at times… although, she’s now the one with a book, so I guess it wasn’t all bad after all).
What I’m eating this week (in case you need a little meal-planning inspiration):
Sunday: Salmon with asparagus
Monday: Grilled bratwurst and and asparagus
Tuesday: Cod fillets sautéed with tomatoes and leeks (just swapped the fish and skipped the breadcrumbs)
Wednesday: Rice bowls with chicken, black beans, bell peppers, and avocado
Thursday: Leftover rice bowls
Friday: Pad thai (take out)
Saturday: Rotisserie chicken, roasted broccoli, and roasted potatoes
