Summer is in full swing, and I had a month full of fun plans with friends and family, and hosted my first brunch since the beforetimes. Here’s what I was cooking and eating this month:

  • I’ve been spending more time than I really want to admit on TikTok lately, and there’s this guy on there (@marchelloeats) who does shawarma reviews across the GTA (if only this was me!). He recommended a place close by in Mississauga so I had to go check it out. I had a chicken shawarma on saj at El Prince Shawarma & Bakery, and I have to say, it was just okay for me. But I need to go back and try their falafel because that looked amazing.
  • Jen & Krishna came over for brunch and I was SO excited, but tried not to go overboard with my menu. On the savoury side, we had a Potato, Bacon and Green Onion Frittata from the first Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, plus Cheddar Chipotle Biscuits, and an Arugula Salad with Pistachios, Avocado and Lemon Vinaigrette. On the sweet side, we had fresh fruit and my Aunt Shirley’s Blueberry Coffee Cake. Everything was so good (if I do say so myself) and I can feel myself getting back into the swing of hosting things again.
  • Since my parents were away for Mother’s Day this year, instead we had “Parents’ Day” on Father’s Day. We went to see the new Jurassic Park movies (what can I say, I saw the original Jurassic Park when I was a kid and have been obsessed ever since) and then to Trattoria Timone for dinner. They loved their meals, and I had a pretty basic, yet fantastic, butternut squash ravioli.
  • My OG work crew met up at Bar Reyna for a summer reunion and shared a bunch of things on the menu: Chicken Shawarma Platter, Halloumi Souvlaki, Greek Fries and Manchego & Cauliflower Croquettes. I could have eaten it all myself! Need to go back to do just that.
  • Jen hosted me on her gorgeous rooftop patio and made the most delicious little app that I have to record here: crostini with goat cheese, sliced pear, toasted hazelnuts and a drizzle of honey. I brought over Gaby‘s Parmesan Pizza Popcorn (basically popcorn with a bunch of spices and fresh parm) and we had some other dips and pita to round it out.
  • Sarah and I went to a Jays Game, and I made her walk around the entire 100 level (twice) so I could survey all the food options before deciding what I wanted, which ended up being Loaded Cheeseburger Waffle Fries! I was so stuffed after eating those I didn’t even have room for soft serve in a little Jays hat, which is my usual Jays tradition! I think we’re planning a work social at a game before Summer’s over, so I will definitely get it then.
  • Here’s my recipe round-up for the month:
  • Stuff I made from the archives: Chicken Tinga Tacos & Mexican Street Corn Salad, Brown Sugar & Chili-Rubbed Salmon, My Favourite Waffles, Honey Buffalo Meatballs, Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp
  • Some of my favourite go-to dishes: HSE Rotisserie Chicken Salad
  • New things that I tried and liked: Spanakopita (this recipe is a revelation, and I will make it again this Fall and share here)
  • Homemade Snacks! (a new category for as long as I keep making them): Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites

Other non-foodie things I was obsessed with this month:

  • I volunteered at not one, but TWO events for work this month! It felt so good to be back out in the community giving back, and spending time with co-workers in real life instead of on a screen. I just loved it, and can’t wait to do more!
  • Kristine and I went to see Top Gun: Maverick and it was WORTH THE WAIT (this movie was delayed by like two years because of the pandemic). You must see it in a movie theatre for the full experience though! Say what you want about TC, but he just has so much charm and charisma on screen!
  • I’m in full Summer reading mode, and it’s just light and fluffy books from here to Labour Day. This month I read Meant To Be (basically fan fic about JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette that had me doing deep dives on Wikipedia and Google images), This Time Tomorrow (I can already tell this will be one of my faves of the entire year, I am totally obsessed) and By The Book (a modern retelling of Beauty & The Beast which you can definitely skip).

Flashback!