Closed Loop Cooking Weekly Newsletter 3.13.20

Closed Loop Weekly ➿ Recipes to bring us together, apart.

Closed Loop Cooking logo and strawberry illustration

March 13th, 2020

Hi fam,

We’ve had an unexpected week, with the latest global mandates in place, it’s had me thinking about creating connection without a literal social gathering. How do we establish new memories? What artifacts create a link between people? For me, it’s always been recipes. A shared momento between friends and family and a small piece of someone’s life. A linear order of directions they believed in enough to share. Cooking from another person's recipe instills tradition, and building off it breathes life into it. Trying out a recipe is a beautiful way to build community. And passing along your favorites is an honest act of love.

I want to share a recipe from my grandma, a favorite copied down by my mom as well, saved on a well worn index card.

Grandma Helen’s Bee’s Knees Candy¼ cup coconut oil3 tbsp honey½ tsp vanilla¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powderPinch of salt½ cup chopped almonds (or your favorite)

Melt coconut oil, honey in pan over medium heat. Add vanilla, cocoa, and salt. Sitr until well mixed. Add almonds. Pour into loaf pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Place in freezer for at least 2 hours. Transfer to cutting board and chop into pieces. Store in freezer. Note: This doesn’t make a lot.

My mom’s version notes an optional tbsp of peanut butter. A simple, quick treat I can hear in each of their voices as I read through the ingredients and steps and feel a little closer to them.

What are your favorite passed along recipes?? Send me an email, let’s try em out together.

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

C O N V E R S A T I O N S

Light, love, and loam with Kate WeinerKate is the founder of Loam, an organization of artists and activists united against the climate crisis. Through printed words, conscious community experiences, and a recently launched podcast, Loam encourages the cultivation of sustainable practices and fosters intersectionality across movements. Our latest interview with her is one for the books.

B O O K  C L U B

The Art of FermentationAs we’re all hunkering down at home we could use a little deep reading. Shout out to Rachelle of Rile Co. for gifting me one of my favorite cookbooks. One of the most comprehensive at guides to at-home fermentation, this timeless classic from Sandor Katz (aka Sandorkraut) is great for beginners and those looking for creative experimentation. You should pickle that! Plus we could all use some more probiotics right about now.

R E A D

How to make a low waste shopping kiCreating a low waste shopping kit has been an incredibly helpful solution to mitigate excess packaging and waste. You don’t need much to put one together and you can always have it at the ready. Comes in handy for these last minute grocery store trips to stock up the pantry!

W I N S T A

Containment inspiration

Some beautiful, contained environments from terriumman, often using upcycled and repurposed vessels. A reminder we can still create entire worlds and inspiring work within limited space. You can find magic in these small moments. 

Have an idea we should feature in the newsletter? Want to support us? Drop us a line at [email protected] and tell your pals to sign up. We can’t wait to see what y’all cook up next! #closedloopcooking

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