The Monday Digest, April 2024
What happened last month on the newsletter, what’s to come and links to articles I enjoyed
This is the extra newsletter you get every first Monday of the month to sum up what I published the previous month and to tell you what you can expect on this one.
As a reminder, here’s what you will find on My Cup of Tea:
The Monday Digest: The first Monday of every month you’ll get a summary of what I sent out the previous month, a sneak peak of what you’ll get the current month and latest food news, personal notes, etc.
Every Thursday: a new newsletter on the following topics (a different one each week): 1 recipe, 1 educational blog on food photography, 1 in-depth essay about the history and uses of a dish or ingredient, 1 travel guide/chronicle/interview.
March’s summary
Below are the 4 posts I shared last month. From a perfect weeknight recipe, through the tips that will make your photos better, and the historical essay about a beloved ingredient of New England to an inspiring story of a woman that changed career path to serve the hormonal needs of other women. For more, see the video I created of how maple syrup it’s produced in a local farm here.
Sushi Bowls
This recipe takes the familiarity of the dressed sushi-rice and adds the fun of the DIY to create a tailored dish you are going to love. I really like making this on a weeknight to bring some excitement to the working days. As long as you have the main ingredients to cook the rice, it’s really easy and fast to make and you get a full meal within a bowl. …
Tips for taking better photos: Understand Your Light
I remember a trip with my family in which my mum was convinced my phone was much better than hers until she saw she had the latest model, not me. “Your photos look much nicer than mine!”. Well, I don’t want to brag but it’s not the phone, it’s the photographer.
Maple Syrup
I have never liked maple syrup. Growing up in Spain I didn’t have many chances to get a taste for it, or even to try it more than twice, if I am being honest. I think the first time I tasted it was when I went to a brunch place in central Barcelona that was full of tourists. The waitress greeted my friend and I in English which made me feel hesitant to …
In conversation with Candice Mason, founder of Mother Cuppa Tea
As a way to honour International Women’s Month I bring you the story of Candice Mason, an English entrepreneur that made a shift in her life to focus on giving solutions to middle-aged women through herbal teas. I hope you like it. (This is not a paid collaboration).
What’s to come this April
Thursday the 4th: This month’s recipe is quick, easy and perfect to celebrate springtime (I also share the most important tip to apply when cooking pasta!): Creamy pasta with peas and prosciutto.
Thursday the 11th: The photography post will show how you can decorate your house better by following simple composition rules that also apply to food photography: What learning about photography taught me of interior design.
Thursday the 18th: This month’s historical article will be about Massachusetts official dessert!: Boston Cream Pie.
Thursday the 25th: The last article I’ll share on April will be an essay. I will talk about a topic I have reflected on for years while moving countries and experiencing different cuisines: The meaning of comfort food as an expat.
Food News
The Guardian view on famine in Gaza: a human-made catastrophe - The Guardian
Voices of Palestinian Farmers - Whetstone Audio Dispatch
Will brie and Camembert cheeses go extinct? Here’s what scientists say. - The Boston Globe
What everyone gets wrong about picky eaters by Betsy Andrews - Saveur
What is American cheese anyway? - Serious Eats
How to Order Like an Eater Staffer - Eater
More French Food? Oui, Chef. - Eater
No, You don’t need to “Decant” your groceries - Eater
Issue 8: Baroque - About magazine
Substacks I loved
(From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy)"Eating disorders are for white girls.” -
(Culture Study)Pausing for Menopause and Midlife Changes -
Nguyen (Pass the Fish sauce)MAD Digest: The Robots Are Coming - MAD Digest
Finding new life for cacao byproducts -
(New Worlder)North American Regional Flour Millers -
(Worldloaf)Personal Notes
As I am writing this I am in front of the Mediterranean sea, in Spain. I have been here for a week visiting family and friends, although most of them are away because I didn’t realize it was the Easter week when I bought my ticket…
In a few hours I will fly to the South of France, where Ross will join me from Boston to spend some days with my dear friend Luz. I am really looking forward to it.
I have never been a nationalist, but being in front of the Mediterranean sea makes me feel belonging. I have felt the same in Sicily, Crete and Tunisia. It’s the shared spirit of the Mare Nostrum. Our sea.
I hope I can bring you new stories from this part of the world in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
