Friday, May 15, 2020

Quarantine Cuisine

Hi everyone,

Long time, no post!

As the world continues to grapple with the fallout from COVID-19, it has been very interesting to see the various coping mechanisms we have been using to navigate this weird time. I said "weird" because if I see the phrase "unprecedented times," "troubling times," or "strange times" one more time, I am going to lose it.

Like many others, I have been channeling my feelings into obsessive cooking.

Luckily, in British Columbia where I am quarantining (which is the new, post-apocalyptic version of "summering"), the only food shortages have been yeast. Thus, my primal desire to recreate dishes evoking times that I felt safe and happy is unimpeded by a lack of ingredients.

One of my few first-time creations: portobello mushroom tacos with sour cream and homemade guacamole

Another first-timer: coconut ice cream with cherries
The rest were things I've made before, like these veggie fajitas

Or restaurant favorites like this pear ravioli inspired by the pear ravioli at Felidia NYC. 



Very, very labor-intensive to roll one's own dough. 
I pressed the edges with the prongs of a fork.



My proprietary guacamole recipe



Huevos rancheros made an appearance

In a real throwback, recreating a sandwich that is no longer on the menu at regional fast-casual chain Atlanta Bread Company





Homemade vodka rigatoni def earned a spot in the regular rotation


Stayed true to my southern roots with butter biscuits



Cooking provides me with the illusion of control in a chaotic world, as well as an opportunity to be praised (b/c my cooking slaps). During my normal yuppie life, I rarely prepare my own food. I actually go so far as to order plant-based meals from Sakara to avoid cooking. So, it's been a lifestyle shift to say the least.

On the bright side, spending (a lot) more time in the kitchen has been a nice way to share old stories and make new memories. For example, my cousins and I compared my version of the Smith family macaroni and cheese recipe to my aunt/their grandmother's version. For my birthday, I made a lime curd cake that was a favorite of mine growing up. One of my cousins made me cinnamon buns for her home economics class assignment as a birthday breakfast. And on Cinco de Mayo, we made churros as a team. My cousin-in-law squeezed the dough into the hot oil while I cut it into pieces with a pair of kitchen scissors. Bébé cousin #2 covered the freshly cooked churros with cinnamon and sugar and bébé cousin #1 made a chocolate sauce for dipping.

First time having this in years. It was delish.



My amazing birthday cake with homemade lime curd and lime icing :)
This was such a nice birthday surprise :)

Churros con chocolate

There is a certain camaraderie I feel when scrolling through endless pictures of banana bread. My fellow stress-cookers in arms.  I derive inspiration from the various creations my friends share on their feeds. We have essentially become a bunch of suburban moms of yore swapping bon appetit links via DM. I must admit, I don't hate it.

If you would like to follow along in real-time, I have been posting photos and videos of things I am cooking to a highlight called "Q'tine Cuisine" on my Instagram page (@azeezahgoodwin). DM me or comment on this post if you would like recipes! My friends will vouch for the fact that I will reply and share :)

Wishing everyone good health and comfort during these weird times.

xo, Azeezah