Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

For Elizabeth Zott, chemistry is everything. It’s her first love, her passion, and her purpose. But in the 1950s, when all women are expected to aspire to is marriage and motherhood, making chemistry a career poses a certain set of challenges. From an abhorrent incident as a student at UCLA to sexist managers once she finally does land a job in her field to jealous, opportunistic male co-workers who vacillate between demeaning her and seeking her assistance, Elizabeth faces resistance everywhere she turns. But one person believes in her: Calvin Evans, a literal lanky giant both revered and reviled by his colleagues, and the reason Hastings Research Institute, their mutual workplace, can keep the lights on. Calvin and Elizabeth’s connection is almost instant (save for the short period of time where they hate each other), and their chemistry, both personally and professionally, is undeniable, much to the disgust of their peers. The two perpetual loners find family and fortitude in each other and create a world that is wholly theirs. But Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry is not strictly a love story. Or, at least, not in the way you might think.

Fast-forward a few years and Elizabeth has left the Hastings Institute, now hosting a PBS-type cooking show that is sweeping the nation. Supper at Six is unlike any public access show before it. Sure, it’s set in a state-of-the-art kitchen and filmed before a live studio audience, but there are no fluffy chats about oven mitts and aprons, or tips on how to fold a napkin just right. No, every weekday during the Afternoon Depression Zone, a term her producer uses, when exhausted housewives need a break from their duties, Elizabeth cooks up lessons in chemistry, complete with scientific names for common ingredients (sodium chloride in place of salt for example), and an easel often filled with complex equations. Soon, women everywhere are exploring STEM, and Elizabeth Zott finds herself at the helm of a revolution. But with the success, respect, and pay grade she’s always deserved, there’s still a burning question only she can answer: is this really what she is meant to do?

Filled with brilliant writing, well-developed characters, and a cleverly-woven plot, Lessons in Chemistry is a truly unique novel that is well-paced and hard to put down. As a woman living in this century, it was amazing to think about how far we’ve come, and also important to acknowledge that it still isn’t nearly far enough. But this is no sob story, though there are plenty of moments throughout the book that may make you want to cry. At its core, Chemistry is a story of empowerment, independence, perseverance, friendship, and love in all its forms. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2022 so far.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Buy Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus HERE.

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #27

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Hootie and the Post Malone. - For this edition of “Unexpected Covers That Are Almost Better Than the Original,” we have Post Malone covering the Hootie and the Blowfish hit, “I Only Wanna Be With You,” that was literally released the same year and month Malone was born (July of 1995). The brilliant cover was released for the 25th anniversary of Pokémon and stands as Malone’s first release as a solo artist since 2019. As a 90s baby I can’t believe that one, Pokémon has been around for 25 years, and two, how much I love this cover. I don’t think Post Malone gets enough credit for his production skills, but they really shine on this track. Smartly, he sticks closely to the original but puts his own flair and signature vocals on it to make it all his own. Listen HERE! (Billboard)

• A Domestic Science. - In the 17th century, household management meant much more than cooking and cleaning - it could also entail minor surgery! In this fascinating article, Olivia Campbell introduces us to Hannah Woolley, an author of domestic management books in pre-Industrial Revolution Europe. Campbell explains that while Woolley is considered by many to be a pre-Martha Stewart-esque influencer, a more apt comparison would be that of Woolley to Gwenyth Paltrow, actress and founder of the wellness empire Goop. It would not be enough for a wife and mother of the 1600s to just know how to clean, she would also need to possess nursing skills to whip up tonics and tinctures that could heal ailing family members. As more and more cookbooks and recipe books of this era become digitized, we’re being treated to a glimpse of why women have been running this world for centuries. (Smithsonian)

• Small space, big potential. - I’ve always been a fan of home tours, but after a year of being at home full-time, it’s become one of my absolute favorite genres of video content. Check out this 280-square foot abode in NYC that has been creatively transformed into a dream space perfect for one person. (Apartment Therapy via Youtube)

• Glory! - Behold: one of the greatest auditions in ten years of The Voice. Victor Solomon, a college student in North Carolina, chose John Legend’s Oscar-winning song, “Glory” for his shot at entering the competition, and absolutely blew all the judges away - including John himself, who historically never turns around for people singing his songs. The power in Solomon’s voice, the ability to add runs that aren’t in the original, and just the overall energy make this performance truly unforgettable. I think this guy’s got a chance of going really far! (The Voice via Youtube)

• One more… - And while we’re on the subject of electric Voice auditions, here’s my other favorite so far: Raine Stern from Madison, WI singing “Electric Feels'“ by MGMT. Right off the bat she starts her audition with a super sick guitar riff and has amazing vocals to match. Mark my words, Stern will be the one to watch this season! (The Voice via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

How To Make Compound Butter (With Recipes!)

You know what makes everything better? Butter. And you know what’s better than plain butter? Butter with extra flavorings! I think you and I should drop what we’re going and make some compound butter together.

If you don’t know what compound butter is, allow me to paint a little picture for you. Think of a stick of unsalted butter - yellow, smooth, and a little bland on its own. It’s a blank canvas ready to be mixed with other things to become what it’s meant to be; much like a caterpillar on its way to becoming a butterfly. Now think of some of your favorite flavors. Put those two together, and you’ve got compound butter. It is, quite simply, one of the easiest things you’ll ever make in your kitchen, and once it’s done, one of the fanciest. Nothing makes me more excited than going to a restaurant (lol, remember eating in one of those and not just picking up an order in the freezing cold?) and seeing that the table has a variety of butters to go with super fresh bread. Now you can make do it at home!

The flavor combinations are literally endless when it comes to making compound butter. You could go sweet or savory, smooth, or with lots of texture. And since you might be stuck on what flavors to smash together into butter first, I’ll give you two of my favorite combinations: Garlic-Rosemary Butter and Cinnamon-Maple!

To make compound butter you need four things: unsalted butter, a spoon or rubber spatula, your flavorings, and plastic wrap. That’s it! Simply let your unsalted butter soften at room temperature (at least 3 hours), then gently mix it together with your additives until well combined. When you’re done, grab a sheet of plastic wrap, place it flat on the counter, pour your butter mixture into the center of it, and fold the ends of the plastic wrap around it until it’s sealed. With your butter sealed, gently start shaping the butter into a log. To help shape your log more efficiently, take this trick I learned from reading Joanne Chang’s cookbook, Flour: take the inner tube of a paper towel roll and cut open one side lengthwise. Place the wrapped butter inside the open part of the tube and gently roll it around on a flat surface to create a log shape. I also like to refrigerate the log in the tube to make sure it never loses shape.

Refrigerate for at least 5 hours, but best overnight, until the butter has re-hardened and gotten cold, and your butter is ready to go!

Great for cooking with, baking with, or even spreading on crackers, scones, and biscuits, compound butter is incredibly versatile.

Scroll down for two easy compound butter combinations!

Cinnamon-Maple Compound Butter

What You’ll Need:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup

• Pinch of fine sea salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix together using a spoon or rubber spatula until well-combined. Taste and adjust flavorings as desired.

Place a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface. Pour all of the contents of the bowl into the center of the plastic wrap. Gently fold the ends of the plastic wrap together until the butter is sealed.

Gently shape the sealed butter together into a log using your hands. For extra help shaping the log, cut one side of a paper towel tube lengthwise. Place the butter log into the tube and gently roll it around on your work surface a few times. Take the butter log out of the tube to examine its shape, then repeat the rolling process if necessary.

Refrigerate the butter log for at least 5 hours (or overnight) until the log has re-hardened and gotten cold. I like to keep the log in the paper towel tube to ensure it keeps its shape in the fridge.

Garlic-Rosemary Compound Butter

What You’ll Need:

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic

• Pinch of fine sea salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix together using a spoon or rubber spatula until well-combined. Taste and adjust flavorings as desired.

Place a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface. Pour all of the contents of the bowl into the center of the plastic wrap. Gently fold the ends of the plastic wrap together until the butter is sealed.

Gently shape the sealed butter together into a log using your hands. For extra help shaping the log, cut one side of a paper towel tube lengthwise. Place the butter lug into the tub and gently roll around on your work surface a few times. Take the butter log out of the tube to examine its shape, then repeat the rolling process if necessary.

Refrigerate the butter log for at least 5 hours (or overnight) until the log had re-hardened and gotten cold. I like to keep the log in the paper towel tube to ensure it keeps its shape in the fridge.

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #26

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Our dog Skipper. - Doctors call her a miracle. In this article, meet Skipper, the adorable border collie and Australian shepherd mix born on February 16th with some special additions: two extra legs, and an extra tail, to be exact. She was delivered naturally at home during a big snowstorm in Oklahoma along with her eight brothers and sister, and, once the weather was clear, taken straight to the vets by her owners for a check-up. With the help of some pretty extensive imaging, it was discovered that not only does Skipper have some extra appendages, she also has two pelvic regions, two urinary tracts, and two reproductive regions. This could be the result of a twin that did not fully split while the puppies were in utero. Though Skipper will likely have some challenges as she grows, it’s been over a week and the little gal is doing nothing but thriving. (CNN)

• Just torch it. - If you’ve ever wondered how the maintenance team keeps Paris’s Eiffel Tower in tip-top shape during the winter months (haven’t we all??), wonder no more! Instead of using salt on the sheets of ice that form on every level, which would be extremely corrosive to the massive metal structure, workers use blowtorches! Listen, I’m not saying that I’m about to run to Home Depot and grab a couple of torches for the next big snowstorm here, but I am saying that snow removal would be a lot more fun (and probably way faster!) with a blowtorch involved. (Travel and Leisure)

• Well, it’s happening. - In case you missed it, three weeks ago it was announced that the folks over at Paramount were in talks to revive the hit ‘90s show Frasier with Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as the lovable but pretentious Dr. Frasier Crane, a talk radio show host based in Seattle, WA. And now, it’s official: a brand new season of Frasier is headed to Paramount’s new streaming platform Paramount+, with an as-yet-to-be-determined release date. It’s still early days, so we don’t yet know what new adventures Dr. Crane will get into, or if any other living member of the original cast will return. As a giant fan of this show, I’m not at all excited about this reboot, but will keep an open mind. If writers can figure out a way to successfully update a sitcom that’s been off the air since 2004 while maintaining the original formula, then I’m all for it. Judging by all the reboots that have gone before it in the last couple of years, I don’t have high hopes. (Vanity Fair)

• A steak and a wax? - Have you ever wished you could break bread with your favorite celebrity? Well, now you can (sort of.) You may have heard that indoor dining in New York has returned, albeit at 35% capacity. Though I haven’t ventured inside a restaurant to eat in almost a year, I’d imagine it can feel pretty empty with so many open seats. Fortunately, for Brooklyn, New York’s famous steakhouse, Peter Luger, a quick call to Madame Tussauds, the global wax museum chain, solved that problem. Through March 1st, diners will get the opportunity to sit face-to-face with some pretty big icons like Audrey Hepburn dressed as her character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Jon Hamm as Don Draper from Mad Men, and others. For me, I think the novelty of the wax figure would wear off pretty fast, and sitting so close to something with dead eyes staring back at me while I ate would be pretty unnerving, but hey, whatever brings in the customers! (Grub Street)

• A charming prince. - This week, CBS late-night talk show host James Corden became the envy of all his peers when he scored the interview of a lifetime with new California resident and sixth-in-line to the British throne, Prince Harry! In the video (down below!) the pair do a bit of sightseeing on a double-decker bus, have high tea on the highway, complete a pretty intense obstacle course, and more. This is one of the most authentic-seeming interviews with a British royal (though he and his wife Meghan Markle have officially stepped down from their active royal duties) that I’ve ever seen. Harry comes off as warm, funny, and very, very honest. This is definitely worth a watch. (The Late Late Show with James Corden via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Book Review: Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang

At age 24, you might think you’re grown, but the truth is, life’s only getting started.

At the beginning of Days of Distraction, we meet our protagonist, a young tech writer working in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley who is overworked, underappreciated, and on the brink of a full-on quarter-life crisis. Her workplace is toxic and filled with back-biters watching each other’s every move, ready to strike. She works hard, maybe harder sometimes than her peers, yet her requests for advancement and a well-earned pay raise are punted from manager to manager, each one promising, as the last, to discuss it with someone higher-up.

Her family life is sad and disjointed; her father and mother have gone through hot-and-cold phases their entire marriage, and now, her parents are on their coldest streak yet. So cold in fact, that her father fled the country in search of a new life in the family’s native China.

Despite the other two-thirds of her life being somewhat of a mess, her love life is great, or, as great as can be expected. Her longtime boyfriend, who we soon learn is named J, deeply loves her and thinks he knows her inside and out. And in many ways, they need each other to survive. When she is anxious, he is calm. When she craves control, he basks in spontaneity. He flies by the seat of his pants, and she grounds him. For many years, there has never been one without the other.

When J decides to accept a graduate assistant position in upstate New York, he asks our protagonist to join him, and she, failing to find any clear direction in her life, welcomes the change of pace and readily agrees.

But once there, living in a temporary dwelling filled with other peoples’ possessions, things start to unravel. With few job prospects, no friends, and far too much time home alone, she starts to question her place in the world. A world that, now that she is older and removed from the culturally-diverse cocoon of San Francisco, has made abundantly clear her existence as a woman of color first, and a woman second. It makes her, for the first time, wonder about her very humanity, and the structural integrity of her interracial relationship, which is getting more precarious by the minute. No longer does she feel she can share every part of herself with J, who has lived free from complications of any kind. Caught in the middle between Chinese and American, sharp tech writer and floundering freelancer, and independent woman and dependent partner, our protagonist is left to question, and ultimately solidify, her own identity. But what she gains, and, more importantly, loses, in the process might be what actually defines her.

Written in brilliant. sporadic prose, Days of Distraction is an important, slow-burning novel about the growing pains of adulthood, the significance of acceptance, and the powerful decision to choose love, in all of its many forms, in the face of adversity.

The Good: There is so, so much to love about this book. Alexandra Chang’s decision to forgo traditional chapters in favor of strategic breaks was hard to adjust to at first, but each block of text feels like a standalone snapshot of the protagonist’s life, like little one-off pieces of a puzzle that come together to form a bigger picture. I also found it refreshing that the reader isn’t subjected to a massive information dump in the first couple of chapters. Instead, we have to earn everything. even character names, by continuing the story. Chang’s voice is so strong in this, and her prose very interesting to read.

The Bad: I can’t think of anything I wish there was more of in this book. Every character we’re introduced to feels fully-fleshed out and multi-dimensional, and all questions that were posed throughout the book are answered in due course. The ending also feels complete.

Bottom Line: I loved this book, and felt myself really relating to the main character. Some of the questions she asks herself throughout the book are the same ones I asked myself at her age. I could relate to the complications of her relationship with J, especially when situations made her feel uncomfortable, and he didn’t know how to react in a helpful way. I understood her inability to stop excessively worrying about everyone around her. And, most importantly, I understood her feelings of trying to find her place as a woman of color in a world that doesn’t always readily make space for everyone who wants it. Chang is a phenomenal writer, and by the end of the book, I started to wonder if Days of Distraction isn’t at least in some ways autobiographical. If you’re wondering if you should read this book, the answer from me is a resounding yes!

Buy Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang HERE!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #25

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Lara Jean, the new classic American teen.- Like Cher Horowitz from Clueless, Samantha Baker from Sixteen Candles, and countless other teenage heroines before her, Lara Jean Covey from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise will go down in cinematic history as a beloved teen queen of her era. If you’re at all a fan of romantic comedies wrapped up in coming-of-age stories, I’m sure you’ve at least heard of the first film, which follows shy and creative Lara Jean Covey and high school jock Peter Kavinsky as they agree to carry on a fake romance after secret love letters - which no one was ever supposed to read! - were sent to all of her past crushes, including Josh, her sister’s ex-boyfriend, and Peter himself. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement: by being publicly linked to Peter, Lara Jean can avoid an uncomfortable confrontation with Josh, and for Peter, having a new girlfriend is the ultimate way to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. Of course, as all die-hard rom-com fans know, it’s nearly impossible for two characters faking a relationship to keep pretending for long before sparks start to fly, and Lara Jean and Peter are no exception. Throughout the series, fans are treated to a slow-burning relationship between the two that’s filled with some pretty interesting ups and downs as time goes on. The TATBILB trilogy officially wrapped on February 12 with the final film, Always and Forever, which follows Lara Jean and Peter K as they step over the threshold from being mere high school flames worried about school dances and lacrosse games, to blossoming young adults trying to navigate a future outside of their hometown. In this article, Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, whose formative years were spent learning life lessons from characters like Lizzie McGuire and Cady Heron, ponders, as well as celebrates, Lara Jean’s legacy. (The Cut)

• Here comes Cruella! - I know I always question why classics need to be reimagined or turned into sequels or prequels, but this time, I’m making an exception. In 2018 it was announced that Emma Stone was set to star as a young Cruella de Vill, the fabulous villainess and hater of sweet dalmatian puppies (originally played by Glenn Close in the 90s live-action films), as she lived through 1970s London. Directed by I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie, Cruella "follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly Haute...but their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella." A still image of Stone in full costume was released all the way back in August of 2019, but this week, the film’s first official trailer dropped, and I’m just going to say it: this movie’s going to be epic! Check out the trailer here! (Nylon)

• Not the first, but definitely the last. - In this powerful personal essay, actor Anna Deavere Smith reflects on her time as one of a handful of “nice” Black girls who were recruited to attend a tiny, predominately white women’s college in a suburb outside of Philadelphia in the late 60s. While Deavere Smith began her journey there trying hard to blend in, straightening her hair and actively avoiding associating with the other Black students, over time, and after significant social and cultural movements too big to be ignored, she and her fellow women of color found their voices, embraced their natural hair with gusto, and demanded to not only be seen, but fully represented on campus. One of the best essays I’ve ever read. (The Atlantic)

• When bad lip-reading is actually good. - Football season might be over, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. One of my favorite channels on Youtube is Bad Lip Reading, which regularly uploads videos of everything from classic movies to key historical moments like presidential debates with a twist: the dubbing is intentionally wrong! This channel has gotten bigger and bigger over the years, and the dubbing funnier and funnier. Check out what some of your favorite NFL stars were “saying” on and off the field this season in the video below! (Bad Lip Reading via Youtube)

• A Scotsman makes wee food. - Outlander fans, where you at?! In this video, Sam Heughan, who also stars in the new series Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham, takes on a Tiny Kitchen challenge by making traditional Scottish Cranachan, similar to strawberry shortcake. There’s something about a handsome man with a British accent making tiny food (which makes him look like a giant in comparison) that just thrills me. Watch for lots of laughs! (Tiny Kitchen via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Baked Feta, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta

If you spend even half as much time as I do on the Internet every day, then you’ve probably seen the latest (and most delicious-looking) trend to hit social media: drizzling blocks of feta cheese and loose tomatoes with wonderful, generous glugs of extra virgin olive and baking them at moderately-high heat until the tomatoes have ripened to the point of almost bursting, and the cheese has gotten so soft that when mixed with pasta, it melts like a dream. The original recipe was developed two years ago by Finnish food blogger Jenni Häyrinen, but it wasn’t until this year, thanks to TikTok, that it went super viral. In fact, the recipe got so huge that Finland actually had a brief but significant shortage of feta cheese nationwide! I’ve seen countless videos floating around Youtube and Instagram in the last two weeks, and though I tend to be extremely particular when it comes to jumping on the latest trends, I knew this was one I desperately had to try.

In all the videos I watched, the basic breakdown of the dish was this: drizzle the feta and tomatoes with olive oil, season with black pepper, and sprinkle a liberal amount of oregano (usually fresh) on top. Roast everything in the oven, then mix in cooked pasta. It just doesn’t get any simpler - or more hands-off - than that.

The final product looked amazing every time, but I wanted to take things up a notch. What other seasonings would go well with salty cheese, sweet tomatoes, and earthy olive oil? Then it hit me: za’atar, my favorite Middle Eastern spice blend that consists of sesame, thyme, marjoram, oregano, and sumac! Oregano, a key ingredient in the original recipe, would still be present, and joined by some other stellar spices blended together in perfect harmony. And because I sometimes need to trick myself into eating vegetables: I threw in some spinach, too! When it came to pasta, I wanted to keep things pretty simple. In some videos, I saw cavatappi being used. In others, classic macaroni. But there was something about a small, long pasta shape that appealed to me, so I went with penne rigate.

The result was, and I’m not exaggerating, one of the best pasta dishes I have EVER had. This Baked Feta, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta is earthy from the za’atar, slightly sweet from the roasted tomatoes, and perfectly creamy, briny, and a little tangy from the baked feta. Though the spinach takes a backseat to the other flavors, just a few minutes of being tossed into the still-warm pasta makes it pleasantly tender and a great supporting character to the main act. And the best part is, dinner was ready in 35 minutes, with very little clean-up at the end.

Internet trends come and go at the speed of light, but this Baked Feta, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta was born from a social media moment that I know is here to stay!

Baked Feta, Tomato, and Spinach Pasta

What You’ll Need:

• 1 pint grape tomatoes

• One 8 oz block of feta cheese

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Za’atar

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Salt

• 16 oz penne rigate pasta

• 3 oz baby spinach

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the feta cheese and tomatoes in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle the feta and tomatoes liberally with extra-virgin olive oil, za’atar, and freshly ground black pepper. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

While the feta and tomatoes are in the oven, cook the pasta in a heavy-bottomed pot filled with well-salted boiling water (the water should taste like the ocean). Follow package instructions for al dente. Just before the pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta.

As soon as the feta and tomatoes are out of the oven, add the pasta, spinach, and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the baking dish and stir until the ingredients are well-combined. Add more freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.

TO STORE: Pasta can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #24

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• One final Cook’s Tour. - We tragically lost chef and travel show host Anthony Bourdain in 2018, but his legacy lives on. At the time of his death, Bourdain was in the midst of writing a guidebook highlighting some of his favorite places around the world. Though the project was in the very early stages, his friend and longtime assistant Laurie Woolever was intent on finishing what Bourdain started, and set out to piece together excerpts from his most popular and long-running shows, No Reservations and Parts Unknown, as well as extensively interview his closest friends to make it happen. The result of Woolever’s true labor of love, World Travel, will be released on April 20th, but if you’re a diehard Anthony Bourdain fan and feel like you just can’t wait that long, you’re in for a treat. Here’s an excerpt from the book, an essay by Anthony Bourdain’s brother, Chris, about their first family trip to France and how it changed their lives forever. (Entertainment Weekly)

• Queen Serena, ruler of on-the-court-fashion. - As the child of a former tennis line judge, I can probably name just about all of the contemporary greats without batting an eye, but no one stands out to me more than Serena Williams. Her athletic ability is second-to-none - the woman was 20 weeks pregnant when she won the 2017 Australian Open for goodness’ sake - but just as noteworthy? Her fashion moments on the court! Known for taking the lead in designing all of her outfits, Williams really upped her sporty fashion game this week when she debuted her multi-hued, one-legged catsuit, a touching homage to the late great track and field olympian, Florence Griffith Joyner, affectionally known as “Flo-Jo”, who famously rocked the style back in the late ‘80s. In a post-game interview, Williams revealed that she worked closely with her design team at Nike to give the eye-catching one-piece a few modern updates, as well as the necessary tweaks to make it all her own. Check it out here! (Buzzfeed)

• Cooking with Mrs. Obama. - In case you missed it, this week former First Lady Michelle Obama announced the March 16th release of her new children’s cooking show, Waffles + Mochi, streaming exclusively on Netflix. The show will follow two puppets named, you guessed it, Waffles and Mochi, as they fulfill their dream of becoming chefs with the help of a magical flying shopping cart and Michelle Obama, who will play a supermarket owner. Viewers can also expect to see a slew of celebrity guests, as well as some home cooks along the way. The kid-centric series is the second project to come out of the Obamas’ multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Netflix through their production company, Higher Ground Productions. I can’t wait to binge-watch this!! (The Cut)

• A super skinny flat in the city. - As if big-city real estate wasn’t bonkers enough already, a “skinny” flat in west London, just six feet wide, recently went on the market for a cool $1.3 million dollars. The five-story property in Shepherd's Bush, converted from a hat shop into a residence by famed fashion photographer Juergen Teller, is 1,034 square feet and boasts three bedrooms, an art deco tub, a patio garden, and curb appeal that is certain to be a conversation-starter for years to come. Listen, ya’ll, I know living in a big city is fun, but if you’ve got $1.3 million to spend, head to the nearby ‘burbs where you can take advantage of all the SPACE. Everything fun is just a train ride away! (CNN)

• Impossible? Things are happening every day! - No disrespect to Dame Julie Andrews, but for us ‘90s babies, Brandy Norwood is our Cinderella, and the incomparable Whitney Houston our Fairy Godmother. When I was a kid, I absolutely devoured the 1997 adaptation of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic Cinderella, which featured a star-studded, colorblind cast, gorgeous costumes, and captivating performances. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I watched it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. it was on television. This week, Disney announced that the film would be available on its streaming platform, Disney+, beginning February 12th. To celebrate its release, singer Brandy, Disney’s first Black princess, teamed up with Youtube star Todrick Hall for a mashup of Cinderella’s greatest musical hits. Look closely, and you might just see some other familiar faces as well! I grinned until my cheeks hurt watching this. Check it out below! (Todrick Hall via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

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Chocolate Chai Truffles

I’m not that into Valentine’s Day, and I can’t decide if it’s because there’s just way too much pressure to not be single, or because I’ve never had a particularly good one. The worst Valentine’s Day, by far, was the spring semester of my sophomore year of college when a guy I’d been seeing for a while decided for the both of us that we were going to bypass the holiday altogether; it was just going to be a regular Tuesday. The only problem with that? He forgot to fill me in on it. So there I was the night before, burning a CD filled with happy songs (a few of them my own), and carefully cutting out a homemade card with a track listing on the back. We hadn’t been dating that long, so I knew to avoid the “L” word at all costs, but I thought a nice little gift would let him know that he was appreciated.

Since our colleges were within walking distance of each other, we had plenty of opportunities to spend time together. Twice a week, we had a standing coffee date at a new shop right downtown, and as luck would have it, that fateful V-Day happened to fall on one of them. I couldn’t wait to see him, and even got my hopes up that maybe, even though we hadn’t talked about how we were going to handle the holiday, he’d surprise me, too. And boy, was I surprised. The look on this guy’s face when I gave him the card and CD would make anyone beg the floor to open up wide and swallow them whole. “I…didn’t think we were doing anything special today,” he said, with a voice filled with gentle caution generally reserved for calming spooked horses. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get you anything.” And because we were freshly an item, I tried with all my might to brush off my utter embarrassment, and act like his gift was just one of MANY I was handing out that day, and that the playlist HADN”T taken me a full hour to curate because I wanted to get the flow just right. I think I mumbled something about how it was totally fine, then tried to finish my piping-hot coffee as quickly as possible without completely eviscerating my taste buds.

So did this incident sour Valentine’s Day for me forever? Not really. I don’t blame him for what happened - we were brand new, young, and in the end, not emotionally mature enough to properly communicate. And in case you’re wondering whatever happened to our dear friend, the Valentine’s Day Dodger, I heard he got married a few years ago and had a kid. So all’s well that ends well.

At any rate, Valentine’s Day isn’t all bad. The new movies and books that come out around this time are usually heartwarming, and It’s one of the biggest days of the year to celebrate everything sweet. I can’t think of anything sweeter than making homemade Chocolate Chai Truffles.

Making truffles might seem intimidating at first. For quite some time, I believed that it took a certain amount of mastery before you could even attempt such a delicious and professional-looking act of confectionery, but it’s just not true! When it all boils down, chocolate truffles consist of just two things: heavy cream, and pure chocolate. Put those two together in the correct ratio, give your mixture plenty of time to set, and you’ve got yourself the perfect, chocolate-y canvas for whatever decorations your heart desires. And while simple chocolate truffles are amazing on their own, why not take it up a notch? I love chocolate, and I love chai, so let’s put them together!

These Chocolate Chai Truffles are by far some of my favorite things to make. They’re incredibly chocolate-forward with floral, spicy notes of star anise, black tea, cardamom, and cinnamon, finished beautifully with just a hint of sea salt. These feel perfectly weighted in the hand, but aren’t so solid that when you bite into them, you break your teeth. Quite the opposite actually! Each bite melts in the mouth into nothing but decadent creaminess, making it totally impossible to have just one.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a long-term partner, a virtual Zoom date, or just yourself, these Chocolate Chai Truffles guarantee that the day will be nothing but sweet (and a little pleasantly spicy)!

Chocolate Chai Truffles

What You’ll Need:

• 8 oz (two 4 oz bars, NOT chocolate chips) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

• 10 cardamom pods

• 5 whole star anise pieces

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 5 chai tea bags

• 2/3 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coca powder

Directions:

Place the chocolate in a medium, heatproof bowl. Set aside.

Using a mortar and pestle, or the side of a knife, gently crush the cardamom pods. Place the cardamom pods, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat, and bring the cream to a simmer (be careful not to burn the cream).

Take the saucepan off the heat, add the tea bags, then cover the saucepan and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Remove the tea bags, then place the saucepan over medium-low heat again and bring the cream back up to a simmer. Remove from heat and strain the cream into the bowl with the chocolate. Discard the spices.

Let the cream and chocolate sit in the bowl for three minutes until the chocolate has softened, then slowly begin to whisk the chocolate and cream together, starting in the center and working your way to the edges of the bowl. Whisk until completely smooth. Add the sea salt, then whisk to combine. You’ve just made ganache!

Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top of the ganache, making sure no air can come through, then chill the ganache in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours until it has set.

Just before you’re ready to roll your truffles, place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and set aside. Next, fill a small bowl with the unsweetened cocoa powder.

Remove the plastic wrap from on top of your ganache and discard. Using a melon baller the size of a teaspoon, a teaspoon cookie scoop, or an actual teaspoon measuring spoon, roll two teaspoons of the ganache at a time, then mold, shape, and roll them together until you have a smooth truffle. Roll the truffle in the coca powder, then place on the cookie sheet. Repeat this process until you have run out of ganache. You should have about 20 truffles at the end.

Transfer the cookie sheet to the refrigerator and let the truffles set for at least 1 hour.

TO STORE: Truffles can be kept in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for one week.

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #23

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Ten ways to stay booked! - Like many voracious readers, I’m constantly searching for the next book to read, even when my TBR pile is nearing the ceiling. For me, there are few greater feelings in life than reading the back of a book and immediately getting excited about what adventures are in store; it’s similar to hearing a new favorite song for the very first time. Here are ten ways to find the perfect next book to read! (Book Riot)

• A return to tossed salads and scrambled eggs? - New reports suggest that a potential revival of the hit 90s television show (and one of my favorites of ALL TIME) Frasier is in the works for Paramount+, the CBS streaming platform. Few details are known at this point, such as if any of the remaining cast members (minus John Mahoney who sadly passed away in 2018) will be joining star Kelsey Grammer, or what a new season would mean for the lovable but pretentious psychiatrist from Seattle, but if the project is green-lit, filming could start as early as this summer. As a diehard fan of this show, I’m not sure I want to see a revival. So far, most if not all the revivals we’ve seen in the last couple years haven’t managed to keep the formula of their shows without seeming a little behind-the-times, so I kind of hope this project doesn’t happen. Frasier has 11 perfect seasons, do we really need any more? (Vulture)

• One Pricey Weekend. - You’ve probably heard it said a billion times at this point, but tonight’s Super Bowl Sunday is going to be unlike any other. But just because things are going to look a little different this year doesn’t mean it won’t be any less epic! In fact, The Weeknd, tonight’s Halftime Show performer, has dug into his own pockets to make sure his set is one you’ll never forget. While the NFL generally absorbs all costs associated with the Halftime Show, The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye) actually contributed $7 million of his own money to make sure the fans in the stands, as well as the fans at home, get a full, cinematic experience. That’s dedication right there! Also, fun fact: did you know that Super Bowl Halftime Show performers aren’t paid? That blew my mind! (E! Online)

• Sisters in isolation. - In this photo essay, meet Gayatri and Swati Goswami, two elderly sisters from Kolkata, India whose albinism has led to social ostracism and self-imposed isolation for nearly their entire lives. Most remarkable about them is that they grew up in wealth and are both extremely accomplished (Gayatri has three degrees and speaks five languages, and Swati has a history degree and plays multiple musical instruments), but when they step outside, all people see is their pale skin, light hair, and blue eyes, which leads to extreme verbal cruelty from members of their community. A powerful think piece everyone should read. (The New Yorker)

• Fun with Funfetti! - I love all of Claire Saffitz’s videos on her Youtube show, Dessert Person, but this week’s episode is a really good one. Think about the best cakes you had at birthday parties growing up. Did they come from a box? Were the insides FULL of polka dots of color? There’s just nothing like a good Funfetti cake to put you in a festive mood, and no one agrees with that sentiment more than Saffitz. In the video below, watch as she recreates a childhood classic and updates it for a more grown-up palate. Fans of the Bon Appetit series. Gourmet Makes, will find this episode particularly entertaining! (Dessert Person via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

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