Bits & Bites — 03
Your source of delicious finds and nosh-worthy nonsense!
Whew—anyone else feeling completely wiped out by this heat wave? San Francisco cranked up the temperature, and living sans AC has practically turned our third-floor apartment into a sauna. Between the heat and juggling my workload, it’s been one of those weeks where even the thought of cooking feels like a challenge. Yet, the show must go on and my to-cook list keeps growing, overflowing with inspiration from all the fall foods rolling in. I’m absolutely ready for cozy season to begin!
Hang in there, SF—we’re almost at sweater weather! In the meantime, I’d love to know: What’s on your cooking wishlist? With all the exciting fall cookbooks being released, I have a feeling we’re in for some seriously good eats this season, and I can’t wait to dive into it all with you!
The Luxe & The Laid-Back — because life is about balance
Luxe: summer ragu with zucchini, ricotta and mint
This week’s fanciest bite was more like summer comfort craving—a ragu of zucchini, yellow squash, leeks, and chicken, brightened up with fresh mint, ricotta, and a lot of lemon juice from Molly Baz’ recipe club. Tossed with a tangle of Flour + Water spaghetti, it was the perfect balance of light yet satisfying. It was the perfect dinner for a warm, hazy evenings when I wanted something simple but still craved a little something extra.
Laid-Back: chocolate cake with chocolate ganache from Astranda Bakery
After a long week, nothing hit the spot quite like a slice of chocolate cake with rich, glossy ganache from a dear friend who runs Astranda Bakery. It was kind of cake that feels like a little celebration with each forkful: deep, velvety, and just sweet enough to make me forget my to-do list. Sometimes, low-key treats are all you need to turn your day around, and this one did just that. Follow Eric on IG and track him down at one of his pop-ups, his cinnamon rolls are even dreamier and I can’t wait to see what he creates next!
Have any food highlights this week that I also need to try?
The pantry item I won’t shut up about
Let’s talk pasta—the kind that elevates a weeknight dinner into something a little more special. Flour + Water, a San Francisco gem from the heart of the Mission District, has long been one of my favorites for dried pasta. Recently, they generously gifted me a box of their pastas to celebrate their stunning new packaging, and I couldn’t wait to share about a brand I can’t get enough of.
Flour + Water Foods brings restaurant-quality vibes into home kitchens. Made with organic, non-GMO North American semolina wheat and extruded through bronze dies, their pasta has that perfect texture that clings beautifully to sauces, transforming a simple plate of spaghetti into something extra delicious.
And if you’re anything like me, you love knowing your dinner’s doing a little extra good in the world. Flour + Water donates a portion of their sales to Zero Foodprint, a nonprofit that supports farms and ranches transitioning to regenerative agriculture. So, you’re not just making pasta; you’re helping create a more sustainable food system! This is the pasta to keep stocked in your pantry to up your game in the kitchen. Snag a box at Bi-Rite in you’re local, at Lincoln Deli for my SLO readers, at Nor Cal Whole Foods, or online.
Craving More?
Tomato Soup with Toasted Cheesy Crostini from Matty Matheson
If you’ve watched The Bear but aren’t in the loop, cousin Fak is real life chef Matty Matheson. His vibe is unhinged and hilarious while his recipes are equal parts elevated and cozy. His new cookbook, Soup, Salad, Sandwiches, is dropping just in time for cozy season and you’re going to want to have some soups in your back pocket so give this one whirl. Pre-order a copy of his book and make this soup while you' wait for it to arrive.
If you’re loving this, have some thoughts, or want me to try the recipe currently on repeat in your kitchen, drop a line in the comments so your girl knows there are people on the other end. Love hearing from you! See you next week—stay well fed.