#4: If Lockdown Were a Flavor

...it would taste stale.

Hi!

Today’s newsletter is short and sweet — ha, because it’s about food, some of which are sweet! Are you laughing? Same!!!

I wish I could say I’ve spent lockdown becoming an inventive chef — someone who actually makes all of the recipes she bookmarks or tries out viral TikTok trends (I still haven’t had whipped coffee) or pushes her comfort zone while steering a cart through Trader Joe’s. 

But I haven’t. Instead, I’ve found myself clinging to the few recipes that have become dependable, comfortable, predictable (I could expand on the need for certainty in a time of unrest, but I think you can fill in the gaps here). What I will do is pass along a few of the dishes and drinks that have become staples — maybe even friends. Okay, not friends. I’m scaring myself a little. 

First up: Avocado Toast. A staple for ~the youths~ everywhere, my dream avocado toast involves this seasoning, this hot sauce, and a hearty bread.

For an especially wild avo toast experience, add an over easy egg! Or a tomato! Or (and this is controversial) mayonnaise.

Next up: Mug-based delicacies. I’ll admit it’s unlikely that coffee will always remind me of lockdown, but the fact that I’ve broken two french presses in the past year will. More importantly, I used to make this mug cookie recipe in high school, but only in the last few months have I perfected the half-baked, kind-of-cookie-dough-y consistency I like (which requires 27 seconds in the microwave, in case you want to recreate). 

And here we have the sweet potato boats. I owe the only recipe I have truly added to my repertoire since March 2020 to the brilliant Sara Tane, who shared this one on her Instagram stories and saved them as a highlight, linked here. But these sweet potato boats are versatile. Delicious. Life-changing. I take a picture of them every time I make them — mostly because I can’t believe I am capable of creating them. Anyway. Run don’t walk. 10/10. 

When I’m feeling particularly adventurous, I even make the pico de gallo. I know, I know: I’m a hero.

It wouldn’t be a list about lockdown without a random hobby that would have never been developed otherwise. For us, it was making our own ice cream. So, when I offhandedly told my mom that I wanted an ice cream maker last March, I didn’t expect her to promptly get on her computer and send one to my doorstep. But she did! I love her. Upon receiving it, we didn’t stray too much from the following flavors:

If you can’t tell, I like my ice creams cookie-y.

On the topic of hobbies during lockdown, my boyfriend began making fancy homemade cocktails (I am not complaining). The Paloma (link to non-alcoholic version), Cosmo (link to non-alcoholic version), and Margarita (link to non-alcoholic version) have become house (ha, because we never leave) regulars. 

Thank you to my lovely Patreon community for voting on the comic topic! I’d love to hear what foods or drinks or recipes have gotten you through the last year. Who knows — maybe I’ll even expand my own kitchen adventures. Maybe. 

Onwards! Here are a few recommendations:

1. Waking up to go see the sunrise (every once in a while). It’s a little corny, but something about watching the sun slowly peek out from behind the edge of the world is like watching magic happen, and it makes the day feel like an adventure, and that’s not happening enough lately, okay?! Here’s proof that I’ve done this exactly once this year, and it was yesterday:

   

   Shout out to this bird for flying by in an especially regal manner

2. Sofia Warren’s newsletter, which shares illustrated advice in response to reader-submitted questions. It’s endearing and insightful and will brighten your inbox. 

3. “Cascades” by Denai Moore — a main-character-walking-down-the-street kind of bop.

To end, here’s a baking-themed TikTok that delighted me (and made me feel seen in my constant desire to eat cartoon food, like the cookie dough from Oliver & Company, or a Krabby Patty. IYKYK!).

See you next time,

Haley

HaleyWroteThis is a free newsletter written by me (Haley Weaver!) and occasionally edited by my brilliant younger brother, Graham Weaver. If you like my work, consider supporting my Patreon or checking out my shop.