In my almost two years of writing these monthly recaps, there has never been a more depressing foodie month on Planet Byn. Bad conference food, restaurant disappointments, and yes, even a trip to T.G.I.Friday’s all went down. Pair that with the lingering effects of bronchitis, and then a sore throat/viral infection, and let’s just say I’m ready to turn things around in July. Here are the limited highlights from the month:

• When I was feeling well this month, I actually cooked some delicious dinners for myself. I made this great Thai Beef with Basil, a Black Bean and Spinach Enchilada Casserole from my blog crush Kiwi & Bean, and a Thai Chicken Satay Salad. I also made a couple things from my archives, Creamy Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage, Kale and Sundried Tomatoes and Katy’s Breakfast Sausage & Potato Hash. Clearly I have been craving comfort carbs this month.
• My foodie friends and I took a little road trip to Guelph to go to Amy Bronee‘s cookbook signing for her new book, The Canning Kitchen. While I’ve gotten into making my own jam in the past few years, I’ve never actually canned it (or anything else). I come from a family of canners, so I’m excited to get into this, especially with Amy’s easy approach and recipes for small batches of jams, chutneys, pickles and other delicious things. It’s on my Summer Bucket List (which I will publish soon!).
• For Father’s Day I had my Mom and Dad over for dinner, and after checking past posts on Planet Byn, realized we had the same thing we have every year: grilled steak, twice baked potatoes with caramelized onions (and cheese for me and Mom) and roasted veggies. The classics are classics for a reason! We had a delicious cake for dessert which I will also put up this week.
• Yesterday I tagged along with The Tasty Gardener to Bean and Baker Malt Shop, where she was interviewing the super adorable husband and wife team behind this newly opened spot. The shop is a throwback to ’50s soda fountains, but there’s so much more behind the cute decor. They make their own homemade syrups to turn into soda (and ice cream floats!), plus milkshakes and a ton of treats. We’re talking warm hand pies, savoury pastries, butter tarts, pie, cookies, eclairs, oh my god I was in heaven. We tried a cherry-cola float with vanilla ice cream, a malted chocolate shake, a BACON PECAN BUTTER TART (perfect flaky pastry and sweet gooey filling, but not runny) and then, something called Ol’ School Lunch Pie. Let me explain: graham cracker crust, a layer of raspberry jam, chocolate peanut butter pudding, and a peanut butter drizzle. Those bites alone made up for an entire month of mediocre eating.

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

• I went to see the Entourage movie, which, obviously you’ll love if you liked the TV show. I then started watching the seasons in reverse because I couldn’t remember what happened in the last few.  The early seasons are the best, so I’m going to go all the way back.
• I spent the entire weekend in bed a couple weeks ago because I was sick and sped through China Rich Girlfriend, the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians which was my favourite book of 2013. I was supposed to go see Kevin Kwan be interviewed by Lainey at the Toronto Public Library last week, but I was feeling so gross I couldn’t make it. Definitely read those two if you haven’t already. They’re so entertaining and such a fun summer read. I also read Where They Found Her at the beginning of the month and would recommend that one too.
• Last Sunday I went to the NKOTB/TLC/Nelly concert, and to be totally honest, I was the most excited to see Nelly! Not ashamed! I’m still bitter that when the TRL Tour (Destiny’s Child, Nelly, Eve, 3LW & Dream) came to to Toronto in August 2001, I missed it because I was stuck in Waterloo writing exams. He did a 40 minute set of just the hits, and it was like 2002 all up in the ACC. I loved it!