Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 11.6.20

November 6th, 2020

Hi all,

Anyone else biting their fingernails down to stubs? It’s been a looong week to say the least. I for one, am ready to turn in for the weekend, better yet, maybe through the end of 2020. 

If you’re reading this, I’m here to support your food curious distractions. Whatever happens.

As the days get shorter, and the autumnal rains roll in, I can sense a different kind of change in the air. The possibilities of this election, the shift in seasons. My body feels unsettled, more so than in years past. And it’s not because I ate close to my body weight in leftover Halloween candy this year. Well, mostly. 

I’m recognizing the importance of ritual in these moments. As the days fade faster and I wonder where the time goes, I rely on those minute meditations throughout the day to add balance and a sense of purpose. Strange how the dark is so disorienting.

If you haven’t, I encourage y’all to try some daily practices. These little cold weather rituals can take any shape, just small moments to anchor your day and offer comfort, direction, and resiliency as we head into winter. Some of mine include:

• Opening the curtains every morning

• Gentle stretching after waking up

• Clean, cozy socks

• Lighting a candle before starting work

• Making and sipping a favorite herbal tea throughout the day

• Finding a new recipe to add to the queue

• Evening music to transition into dinner

• Making a meal from scratch, the act of chopping

• Bedtime comics

What are your cold weather rituals for staying sane?

Take care of yourself this weekend.Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Post election wind down by Hawnuh Lee

To-do’sThe energy this week has been as thick as expired, full fat coconut milk. Maia put together a post election wind down guide we can all use to get back into a bit of routine. (Make sure you register for her pay-what-you-can virtual yoga class this Sunday.)

This week’s required readingHonoring the husk. In Maia’s latest interview with Caroline Cotto from Renewal Mill we get the low down on innovation in the upcycled food movement. Figuring out smart ways to repurpose and recontextualize ingredients means reducing food waste and curbing climate emissions. Okara flour is the repurposed wave of the future.Portland folx, Chloé Lepeltier’s updated her expansive Zero Waste PDX Guide for all of your low waste, Rose City queries. From bulk shopping to skill learning there’s something for everyone, wherever you are in your low waste journey.

The body electricWith the pandemic, NYC's recycling / composting services aren't running at full capacity and I've been thinking about the environmental impact of my prescription and supplements containers and the philosophy behind "food as medicine." A friend recommended seed cycling, which is a way for people with periods to connect to nature and balance their hormones with food. Fingers crossed it helps with cramps but either way these seed cycling energy balls are yum (you can sub oats for protein powder and coffee grinders work great to grind seeds.) - Kaitlyn

Cookbook clubIt’s about that time for excessive, indulgent baking (is there ever a bad time though?) I covet my copy of Sticky Fingers, Green Thumb: Baked Sweets That Taste of Nature by Hayley McKee. A celebration of vegetables, fruits, edible flowers, and herbs for decadent sweet treats. With inspired bakes like golden saffron pumpkin cake (page 63), parsnip, pear and cinnamon cake (page 67), apple cider and zucchini muffins (page 141), and herbed salted honey bars (page 152) you will have a plethora of seasonal treats to warm up your kitchen. Let me know what you’re baking, yeah?

Seasonal eatingAn abundance of leftover pumpkins, squash, and gourds mean leftover seeds. Do yourself a favor and whip up a batch of this salty sweet squash seed granola to curb those anxiety crunchies. It’s a seasonal fav.

Fennel is such an understated flavor. I love an unexpected hit of anise with a tart contrast. This radicchio, fennel, and apple fall salad with tahini dressing will check all your autumnal salad boxes. Definitely a winner for whatever kind of Thanksgiving you’re putting on this year.Grounded Grub is serving up a hearty Andean stew, perfect for using up those post-Halloween and end-of-season pumpkins. This savory fill is a Peruvian staple, and sure to stick around your kitchen this fall.

Here’s what’s for dinnerHandmade pasta will always be on the menu. Nothing is quite as satisfying as rolling your own dough. This roasted winter squash gnocchi with shallot + sage oil makes for a beautiful dinner dish, with just a few ingredients. Gnocchi is one of the easiest pasta numbers to jump into, so don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves. (And send photos please.)

We’re cooking withLighting ALL of the meditation candles. Summoning sanity, calm, and clarity with my favorite Flower Bomb soy candle. Deep breathes in, out, good tunes on repeat, and something simmering on the stove.Loads of baking means quiet, resting dough. I love this reusable, cotton bowl cover for keeping my endless loaf experiments tucked in. Great for food prep and when you don’t really need another container.

Listening inWhetstone Magazine’s podcast, Point of Origin explores the source of well known ingredients and their evolution. The latest episode, Beyond the Wheat, dives into the whitewashing of wheat and the emergence of the whole grain revival. It’s all about that ancient grain y’all.Sitting with ritual. Intrigued by The Cut’s latest dish, Turning to Tarot. What does the future hold? How can we shift away from a scarcity mindset and accept what’s to come?

Can’t stop watchingI’ve been touting banana peels as edible for ages–hard to believe, I know. Love how exciting @maxlamanna makes a banana peel “pulled pork” (that’s vegan kids) look!

RitualOne of my favorite ways to practice self-care through movement — ‘Shake It Out’. The science behind its efficacy and a simple how-to is outlined in this post from Tayla Shanaye and Loam. - MaiaIf you like shaking it out I also highly recommend live streaming donation based movement classes from Dance Church. The method is radically inclusive, community-centered, and SO much fun. Offered 3X per week! - Maia

Sippin onTall sock weather calls for warming, spiced chai to start the morning with. This loose leaf cha-cha chai does just the trick. Keep a full pot on ready.

Make changeSupport Rolling Grocer 19 out of Hudson, NY, making affordable, quality groceries available to everyone, regardless of income level. They prioritize locally grown food, fair and ethical labor practices, and a sliding scale pricing system that reinvests dollars back into local farms and businesses.

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