Dafna & Byn

I swear there were a couple nights this month where I almost wore flannel PJs to bed, so I won’t say that Summer has fully arrived here, especially since it won’t stop raining. Here’s what I got up to in this pre-Summer state:

  • Nicole came over for dinner and I made everything out of Barefoot Contessa’s newest book Cooking for Jeffrey. We had: Aperol Spritzes (LOVE), Parmesan & Chipotle Popcorn (LOVE), Spicy Sweet Potato Empanadas (too much orange zest), Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad (LOVE, although this is a pretty basic salad) and Raspberry Rhubarb Crostata (too tart for me, this is why you normally only see rhubarb with sweet strawberries). Love Ina, and so much more to make out of this book!
  • My niece and nephew had their joint birthday party fam jam and their ‘Auntie Robyn Baking Requests’ were plain sugar cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie, respectively. I had to switch up the sugar cookies a little bit though, and used this Rainbow Funfetti Cutout Cookie recipe, and stamped out hearts, stars and butterflies. They turned out SUPER cute (forgot to take a pic!).
  • I randomly went to Craft two Saturdays in a row this month (once before a concert, the other time in a spur-of-the-moment, post-funeral need to not be home alone) and both times had the same Mushroom Swiss Burger that also has crispy onions and truffle aioli on top. That thing is to die for.
  • For Father’s Day this year, instead of cooking like I normally do, we took my Dad to Sotiris, after hearing amazing things about it from my sister-in-law Tara. It was INCREDIBLE! We had dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita (feta and spinach stuffed pastry) for our apps, and then gyros, chicken and pork souvlaki dinners. Everything was totally amazing, the service was lovely and we just had the best time.
  • After last month’s success with Sweet Jesus, I dragged my workplace proximity associates down to Brookfield Place, where the Bar Ape truck was parked every Wednesday in June. Bar Ape is dishing up gelato bars, and I had the flavour of the week which was Ontario Strawberry & Balsamic Vinegar, dipped in dark chocolate. It was tangy and sweet, and showcased the strawberries in such a unique way (kind of reminded me of this way back play back).
  • The Town Square in Downtown Oakville is showing movies outside every Thursday night this Summer, so Kristine and I went to see My Best Friend’s Wedding (it holds up!). Her request was for Sweet & Salty treats, but since apparently Pretzel M&M Cookies are strictly for Champagne & Cookies ONLY, I made these Kitchen Sink Cookies instead. I used crushed sea salt potato chips, pretzels, M&Ms and butterscotch chips as my mix-ins. Couldn’t stop eating them!
  • This month ended in such an amazingly fun way! My friend Dafna, who I met through our Baked Sunday Mornings group, was in Toronto for a quick visit! I got to show her around St. Lawrence Market and all my favourite little hidden places where I find my Valrhona chocolate and obscure spices, and then we went to XO Bisous for a bunch of treats, including a torched-to-order S’more and homemade Oreo. We hadn’t seen each other since the Baked Occasions launch party in New York, so it was great to catch up and geek out over all our current baking obsessions. I can’t wait to go to San Francisco some day so Dafna can take me to Tartine heaven!

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

  • Rich People Problems came out this month — it’s the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend. It was SO GOOD! I didn’t want it to end! I read another fantastic book this month, which was Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan. I just love her books, and this one was no exception. Highly recommend both of these ones.
  • Wonder Woman lived up to the hype and MORE! I am totally obsessed and want to go see it again. Gal Godot is a total goddess, and your boy Chris Pine has jumped to the top of the Hollywood Chris Wars!
  • Do we even need to talk about how amazing The Bachelorette is this season? I love Rachel, and I can’t wait to see who she ends up with! My friends from work are having a “Do You Accept This Rosé” watch party next week and I can’t wait.

Flashback!