August 25th, 2023

Hi friends,

Post travel recovery, seeking low fiber comfort foods and quiet, creative focus. As I learn more about myself and understand there’s a reason small spoons are inherently better, I try to work with my nervous system, rather than force it into spaces mal-aligned or overwhelming. So in a state of digestive agitation and a general, ambiguous anxiety, I’m looking for those end of summer kitchen moments that support self soothing. 

This list includes long noodles, the chewier the better. Mint tea, fresh snipped always preferable. Textural, nutty granola I can pair with soft peaches and yogurt. The smell of sourdough baking. Wide mouth glass jars and oversize bowls I can hold close. Sunflower seed + basil pesto I can schmear on just about anything. And obsessing all Top Chef iterations of Kristen Kish… Small, meaningful comforts I lean into during this unease. (Just me?)

As I’m on the up and up, I welcome in all forms of culinary solace. How are you rounding out these last weeks of summer and are there any comforts you’d care to share?

Stay hungry,Hawnuh Lee | Founder, Closed Loop Cooking

Sustainable self care. // @hawnuhlee

The dish >>

• Cast iron restoration should be a public service.

• adrienne marie brown’s latest–my intentions are good. Sole food.

• Spice bottle ridge trick.

• Revisiting skin minimalism.

• You really can grow your own ginger. (Will follow up.)

• Appreciating Moji Igun’s free Zero Waste Mindset course, for anyone interested in making shifts.

• Much love for the restaurant of mistaken orders.

• My go-to granola comfort recipe.

• The benefits of tiny climate forests.

Inspire your next inevitable girl dinner

by Hawnuh Lee

Girl dinner is the ultimate evening comfort. Especially in an unsettled moment, I can always turn to a smattering of pickles, olives, spicy hummus, and good bread to feel swaddled. Alternatively, girl dinner is an unintentional grab bag of stale girl scout cookies and m&m’s you just found and is still something to snack on. So here’s to a more intentional, solo dining experience and a few friendly favorites to inspire your next ghorl dinner, gender be damned.

• Aforementioned hummus, crudites are simply a vehicle for this dip, but you will not go wrong adding in a quick sea salt crispy matzo.

• Bubbies dill pickles straight out of the jar, standing over the sink. - Rachelle, @littlezestypdx

• Pasta with fresh spinach, but last night I made goulash. - Zara, @zara_official_finalfinal_v2.ai

• Parsnip and vegan sweet potato mac n cheese. Like an entire pan to yourself.

• An entire mixing bowl of popcorn with tons of nutritional yeast, and red grapes or apple on the side. - Holly, @thedecisionumbrella 

• Natto and rice eaten by grabbing palmfuls with nori and / or a bowl of cherries as dessert. - Kaitlyn, @thtwhtkatiesaid

• Put cheese in a pan, put a tortilla down, more cheese on top, hear me out, beans. - Van, @abodabobrand

• A pan of 30 minute, vegan, sweet potato brownies.

• Single girl soup. A mix of leftover veg, noodles, miso, and an egg to finish. - Danelle, @makingyoulaugh_maybe

• An apple + peanut butter and pita chips + hummus if I’m solo. Or sometimes I’ll make a yogurt + granola + fruit bowl for dinner. If I’m feeling dangerous I’ll fry some eggs and add some avocado and kimchi to the plate to make it look fancy. - Brittany, @britt.hume

• Pierogies in the air fryer, with a side of yogurt whipped with garlic and onion powder, and pickled cabbage on the side or your classic pastini. - Courtney, @courtney.mariek

• Fresh mozzarella and a baguette torn into pieces. - Gretchen, @kentstudiospdx

• Red lentil soup and crusty as all bread. Tangy, my ultimate comfort food.

• Penne boiled with edamame in the shell, tossed with Earth Balance and salt. Put it in a bowl and it’s the best finger food. - Simar, @simarsamuel

• In the summer I like to do a whole plate of caprese salad with nectarines or peaches, tomatoes, basil, evoo, and balsamic. No fire required, one plate, and comes together in 5 minutes. Always so luxurious. - Lizzy, @meridianboutiquetravel

What are you having for girl dinner?

Fav fruit cake mirroring.

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