Hello! It really feels like summer right now, and this month feels like it has been very busy! Summer always seems to zip by in a flash, so I am trying to really enjoy every sunny day as much as I can. Let’s get into stuff I liked this month!
Food!
Instant Pot Risotto! This is maybe not the most summery of recipes, but it’s easy, mostly hands off, and accompanies any protein or veg beautifully. I like to add in as many fresh herbs (any combo of mint, parsley, cilantro, dill, fennel fronds, chives) as I can get my hands on at the end along with some lemon juice. I made this recently with some roasted zucchini and asparagus, and tossed in some frozen peas at the end (along with the herbs) and remembered how great this recipe is. Risotto purists may say that this is not really risotto, but if you love risotto but hate standing over the stove slowly pouring broth and stirring for an hour, this is the risotto recipe for you!!!
I had a stroke of genius when I made this fave recipe: Kale Pasta Salad but with white beans instead of pasta! This change made the recipe gluten free, and then I served it with cheese on the side to accommodate vegan friends also! I used a little more olive oil for the beans to soak up the goodness, and added some slow roasted tomatoes, lemon zest, and threw a little bit of fresh basil in at the end. I had some of the leftovers tossed with some freshly cooked pasta, and it also made a great lunch to have on hand! Definitely one of my favorite recipes.
Here is another sauce to put on everything, reminiscent of a salad dressing from Tres Hermanas in Sacramento. I do not have this recipe saved with a link, so not sure where I got this, but blend all the ingredients up, taste, and adjust with more lime/salt/etc. It’s great on a crunchy salad with some black beans (or chicken), if you added an avocado to the mix it would be great as a dip:
Creamy Cilantro Dressing
(makes about 3/4 cup)1 cup loosely packed cilantro
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
1 clove garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
a few grinds of black pepper
water as needed to thin to desired consistency
Books/TV/Movies!
I have three great books to share with you this month!!! https://bookshop.org/shop/michelleflook Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton. I am very drawn to stories about genealogy, and this memoir (by name alone) grabbed my attention. It’s a very good audiobook read by the author, and the story is full of interesting characters, a few surprises along the way, and I highly recommend it.
Tell me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation by Erika Krouse. This book is part memoir and part crime investigation. It’s fascinating to peek into the world of PI work, though it is pretty dark subject matter (tw: sexual assault). Another great audiobook read by the author, super engaging from beginning to end.
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati! If you read and loved Circe, I recommend you pick this one up! Different author but similar vibes. I am very into these Greek retellings that keep popping up and am going to keep reading any similar books that I can find! Clytemnestra is a complex character who is not always likeable, but this story was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Yellowjackets on Showtime! This show is so intense and sad and upsetting, but I can’t stop watching it! The characters and casting is so good and I will be waiting impatiently for season 3.
We have been enjoying Silo on Apple TV+ and the first season just ended, and it has been picked up for a second season. This show is better than I expected, and I’d call it sci-fi light, in the vein of The Hunger Games, more dystopian than futurey/spacey, and with a bit of a mystery and lots of secrets. Episodes leave you hanging, so it's a great binge watch. The ending left us with a lot of questions and I'm going to not read the book series, and wait for the next season!
Class of '09 is a really interesting show, sort of feels like an extended Black Mirror episode (haven't started the new season yet!), focused on the implementation of AI in the criminal justice system. It’s told in three alternating time periods (‘09ish, 2023ish, and 2035), focused on only a handful of characters. It's only one season and no plans for a second one, so if a serious show is your preference, this would be a good one to binge!
Based on a True Story is really fun, funny, and dark comedy. The show is not actually based on a true story, but is centered around a true crime podcast with this name. Matthew and I really enjoyed it, and it’s also a great binge watch, with only 8 short episodes!
We raced through The Bear season 2 and it was really good. Still stressful but definitely more hopeful overall. The episode with the family Christmas had me crawling out of my skin with anxiety, but such great casting!!!
If you like extremely interesting and depressing documentaries, check out Take Care of Maya on Netflix. Matthew and I really didn’t know what we were getting into when we decided to watch this one, the trailer is very vague, and phew it’s a sad one, but well done and a story that needs to be heard!
Last but certainly not least, The Little Mermaid! This new remake is so wonderful, not at all disappointing, and extremely magical! I loved it so, so much.
Projects!
I finished this Star Pop quilt! The chambray fabric is very soft and makes the quilt extra cozy. I am already planning my next two projects :)
Miscellaneous!
I went with some friends to see Janet Jackson and Ludacris in concert! It was so much fun. I definitely have a lot of good memories from childhood that involve dancing around the living room with my sister and our mom, with Janet’s jams as the soundtrack. I was basically smiling and singing along through the entire show.
I made a new logo for this little newsletter! This bright neon green just makes me happy right now.
Remi!
Little cutie still loves to hang out in her regular dirt spot in the backyard when I lay in the hammock. I love this little creature so much!
Goodbye, until next month!
xoM