What a joy and thrill to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a table full of family this year, and even have a few small birthday outings! Here’s what else was going on during my favourite month of the year:

  • I stuck to the classics for Thanksgiving this year, and for the first time, I finally have everything posted here: My Favourite Stuffing, My Favourite Mashed Potatoes, Root Vegetable Crumble (updated with better measurements), and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pecan Crunch Pie [Note: links still aren’t working but I PROMISE this will be a priority on my to-do list in 2022]
  • Two of my work besties are also Libras, so we met up for a little Libra Gang Birthday Party at Cinco Mexican in their neighbourhood and had many delicious margaritas and some truly excellent tacos.
  • I took a few days off for my birthday, and on the first day met up with Lydia for brunch at Kerr Street Cafe. It was our first time having brunch in a restaurant since we were in NYC in 2019. We also haven’t been to Kerr St. Cafe in about 12 years and honestly, who knows why, because it was SO GOOD. Lyd had Avocado Toast, I had the Brekky Sandwich and then we split Staxx (Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote). I need to go back and try many more things!
  • My friend Sarah organized an epic Fall Birthday Feast for few of her friends at Alo, and it was legendary. This was my second time dining there, where you have a 10-course tasting menu that’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It also really hits different when you’ve been cooking for yourself for the past 18 months!
  • Switching gears completely, Kristine and I met up at Lone Star for another birthday dinner and the excitement of having a sizzling cast iron skillet of chicken fajitas approach the table is unmatched! I got Lone Star takeout a few times during lockdown but it is NOT the same as having it there where everything is super hot and you’re warned three times not to touch the skillet! I missed this so much!
  • I spent the weekend up in Uxbridge at my friend Erin’s, and we had such an excellent time! We visited The Second Wedge Brewing Co, Nexus Coffee Company for the best latte I’ve had in my life, a cute farm where I picked up a bunch of apples, and finally a kitchen store I can’t remember the name of where we picked up some truly incredible gluten-free treats (including one Twix Bar-like one that was incredible).
  • And now the regular recap of what I was cooking this month, broken down into three categories:
  • Stuff I made from the archives: Honey Buffalo Meatballs
  • Some of my favourite go-to dishes: Swedish Meatballs with Wild Rice (and leftover Cranberry Sauce from Thanksgiving!)
  • New things that I tried and liked: Claire made this Crispy Cheesy Pan Pizza on Dessert Person and I made it in my brother’s cast-iron skillet (which I borrowed months ago and still haven’t returned) and it was mind-blowingly good. This Chili Lime Salmon & Esquites was also quick and delicious and I can’t wait to make it again. I always forget how much I love a quick and simple frittata and this Butternut Squash Frittata was great (except I would roast the squash in the oven first to make sure it’s cooked through and caramelized). I also tried this Roasted Broccoli Salad, which I would make again with a few modifications (less lemon!).

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

  • Insecure is back for it’s fifth and final season and I’m so excited, but so sad it’s coming to an end. I already tried to buy Molly’s “Somebody’s Auntie” t-shirt from episode 2, but of course it’s sold out.
  • The Bachelorette is also back and I’m obsessed with Michelle as the lead. All I want is to watch her and Joe fall in love and ride off into the sunset together.
  • I read a lot this month and liked everything I read. Liane Moriarty’s new book, Apples Never Fall, was a bit slow to start but I couldn’t put it down in the second half. The Heart Principle was a quick, fun read (although very sad in the middle section. Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah, was a great portrait of Aaliyah’s life, but I stupidly didn’t realize that so much of it would be about her connection to R. Kelly, which was really disturbing. Cover Story is a must read for anybody who read and collected SLAM Magazine in the late 90s. I loved all the behind-the-scenes stories of the most iconic covers.
  • My true obsession of this month was Angelina Jolie bringing various combinations of Jolie-Pitts to her Eternals movie premieres around the world. They’re all so grown up!

Flashback!