Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 12.18.20

December 18th, 2020Hi friends,Thinking on all the ways we can commit to bespoke climate activism in 2021. Whether it’s rogue composting–your neighbors should be thrilled, right? Supporting people and legislation to build sustainable infrastructure / food systems or sharing more plant-based, low waste recipes we can all get shit done through our unique lens. That’s what I’m categorizing wearing the same professional sweatsuit everyday, indefinitely under.AND I’m just discovering cookie boxes, for the first time. Apparently these are a big Christmas deal. In my internet findings this year I am amazed, impressed, and envious of the mountains of sugar swapping folx participate in. How am I so slow to catch this train? I grew up with a semblance of Christ-mukkah, heavy emphasis on festive Chinese food and renditions of a Jewish-dubbed White Christmas. (As in, my mother talking loudly over the movie, reminiscing for other people’s religion.) Despite our traditions, I realize I have missed out on decades of sprinkled, iced goodness and will be making up for it tenfold moving forward.I want us to commit to climate solutions in the New Year with the force of a community cookie swap behind us. Each home responsible for a special variety of shapes, flavors, and delivery but with the understanding that we’re all getting delicious baked goods or no one does. What if we continued to feed each other beyond the holidays? What if we pitched in to bring food security to underserved neighborhoods? What if we made sure that we all have access to sustainable, local food or no one does?I’ve seen the power of sweet treats. We can make this, and so much more a reality. I’ll be baking up ideas and a few cookies of my own in the meantime. Stay tuned.I gotta know–what’s your favorite holiday cookie?? Hit reply already!(Heads up–I’m taking off next Friday, see you in your inbox January 1st!)Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Furoshiki folding by Hawnuh Lee

To-do’sSwap your single use holiday wrapping for a zero waste cloth alternative. Furoshiki is an inexpensive, thoughtful way to send off holiday cheer. We got a few pointers from Ran of @zerowastejapan on this traditional gift wrapping method that you can tell your secret Santa group about.Find those few last plant-based, low waste gifts for you and yours in our ethical holiday gift guide. Cheers to cloth wrapping and a holiday season unlike any other.

This week’s required readingRather DIY something this year? Check out Kaitlyn’s lovely list of ways to shower your loved ones with handmade joy. You don’t even need to be particularly crafty to be incredibly thoughtful. The only thing I’d maybe enjoy more than an endless jar of compliments is… warm socks and said jar.An ocean of Amazon plastic. As much as 22 million (yep) pounds of delivery mailers have ended up in rivers, lakes, or the ocean in 2019. Tack on a global pandemic and everyone stuck at home this year and garbage island may become its own weight-supporting land mass. There’s hope in pushing the retailer giant for innovative reform–more than 660,000 people signed a petition prompting Amazon to offer plastic-free packaging options. Put pressure on the suppliers and demand change, today.Peeling back the unspoken layers of racism throughout French pastry. Classically-trained pastry chef, Brigitte Malivert, shares her experience navigating the complexities of finding a stage in an industry of baked good gatekeepers. Brilliantly written, you can support Brigitte’s Queen B Bakeshop, donate on Kofi, and follow on IG. Can’t wait to see what she does next.We Need a Secretary of Food. Poignant article by chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen. We need leadership in food relief across the American West and the Navajo Nation, areas hardest hit by the pandemic, farmer subsidies for regenerative crops, and accessible healthy school meals. It’s time for a total overhaul of the American food system. Who’s running?

The body electricAll the more reason to #growyourown. Seven health benefits of gardening from @bigcitygardener. Stress reduction is a literal art form y’all.Never a casual fan-girl, I’m in awe of enviro-activist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s low impact with high flair approach to style and self care. Shoutout to bespoke climate solutions and literal clouds of protection. Thoughtful, quick read we can all find some inspiration in.

Cookbook clubYour idyllic winter kitchen accompaniment, The Nordic Baking Book from Magnus Nilsson feels just right for cozy, Scandinavian inspired treats. Festive eats like Icelandic Christmas leaf bread (page 176) feature beautiful line illustrations, capturing the delicate patterns on this traditionally made laufabrauð. Continue your celebrations with any number of rolls, in particular the hazelnut and Mandarin rolled torte (page 456) and delight in the variety of cold weather flavors. Or wonder why you haven’t been eating more Icelandic chocolate soup (page 500) lately. These beautiful pages make me long for missed winter trips in Iceland, taking in as many fresh baked goods from the local Brauð & Co as I could hold.

Seasonal eatingNot mad about an excess of sourdough discard as long as we can bake ‘em to tangy, herbed cracker perfection. A lovely snack accompaniment or arguably a meal in itself if you eat enough of them, these crackers are the ideal flavor vehicles. Taking on any herb and amplifying it with fermented magic you might find a wild hair and whip up a batch of creamy cashew vegan cheese sauce for a funky snap.Save your sad bananas for more than just bread baby. I love indulging in a warm, bruised banana oatmeal breakfast on these rainy, winter mornings. Naturally sweet and enhanced with loads of cinnamon, chopped nuts, and homemade, 5 minute hemp milk, this is a luxurious, use-it-up morning routine you can feel good about.Ok, yes we need more vegetables to stave off the scurvy, but Maia’s spiced almond butter molasses cookies are calling me. It would be Grinch-like not to make them. These holiday inspired sweet treats are a great way to fill up your seasonal cookie boxes and send off with love. Make sure you save some for curling up at home with a warm bev and a good read.

Here’s what’s for dinnerSwimming in a winter produce inspired creamy + bright beet root soup from our gal @micks_magic. This root awakening is a delicious, magenta offering we can sink several spoons into. Carrots and potatoes are our supporting players here but feel free to sub whatever hearty veg you have on hand. And make sure to save your beet greens for a use-it-up fall (winter) salad, ok?

We’re cooking withI have an affinity for homemade ceramic mugs and a collection my partner has yet to unearth. But this half moon, minimalist beauty is just too dang tempting to pass up. I’m already imagining myself cradling this mug full of my other not-so-secret indulgence–banana nice cream. (Reply back to this email for the super simple recipe <3)I am ALL about a ritual. Let’s make our tea time into a magic moment with a matching cream + cellar set. Winter calls for warm kitchen objects to bright up our routines, hot drinks included.Drink things continued. I have a feeling these wine stoppers that are prettier than me will be getting high use through the New Year. Geometric, wood-topped corks make saving it for later an art form.

Listening inDigging in to IDEO’s Food by Design podcast. Episode 3, Old Ag, New Crops touches on one of my favorite topics, regenerative agriculture. Soil is sexy and so, so vital to sustainable food systems.Cooking to the sounds of my Top Spotify 2020 Wrapped. I am graciously sharing this vibe-heavy masterpiece (your welcome) of tunes to roll dough and your hips to. I stan every jam on here and if you’re feeling adventurous, share yours. Lots to cook this season, ya know?

AttendRevered zero waste OG, Anne-Marie Bonneau is hosting a free online class 12/20 for (finally) making your own sourdough starter. Main ingredient? Patience. Hot tip - make sure you hold onto that aforementioned discard cracker recipe.

RitualI’m always inspired by the meditative movement Maya Oren (@mojalvo) shares. It reminds me that emotions can move through your body and sometimes that’s exactly what they need. I encourage you to find a moment this weekend to put on a song that makes you feel held, close your eyes, and let your intuition move you. - Maia

Can’t stop staringObsessed with everything Alexis Nikole @blackforager makes and just waiting to become BFF’s. Her latest holiday foragings include Queen Anne’s Lace Cake with foraged tubers and invasive edible species.Counting the days until I can comfortably sip in at the Negative Cafe and Bar in Tokyo and feel at ease again. Bad attitudes only.Marie Trashionette. The refuse revolution brought to life by the outstanding @pattiegonia. Trash Queen in the best way. A look made for overthrowing entirely out of discard in the time of quarantine.

Sippin onVinegar tea. Ok, hear me out. I’ve been drinking vinegar since I could barely see over the countertop. An acid FIEND I seek out that sour punch anywhere I can. Vinegar tea is a healthy, warming way to start or end your day and you can flavor to your liking. I use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) or usually make my own apple scrap vinegar. (The easiest beginner fermentation project, I swear.)Mix 1 tbsp vinegar with 1 cup hot water (add more water for a weaker vinegar.) Add lemon peel or ginger root and 1 tsp honey or maple syrup. Stir, sip, and enjoy. Try adding in seasonal fruit juices or sub seltzer water for hot in warmer weather.

Make changeHotbread Kitchen is an NYC based nonprofit whose mission is to create economic opportunity through careers in food. Their #RecipesForResilience campaign is raising funds to provide emergency relief and sustained support for women and entrepreneurs of color, helping bring these communities closer to recovery and economic stability. Donations are accepted through their website or text RECIPES to 44-321. - Maia

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