The Monday Digest, March 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.
I only started My Cup of Tea mid-January so February was the first time I kept my schedule of 1 article a week on different topics.
As a reminder, here’s what you can expect each month:
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.
February’s summary
I started out last month with a new recipe that was inspired by the coming of Valentine’s Day and also by citrus fruits (which are in season now): Crepes with Mascarpone Cream and Grapefruit Syrup. This recipe was a story into love. It was the story of my travels around the world and also the story of citrus fruits; and surprisingly, they match up!
The article on food photography was a behind the scenes one. I welcomed you to my home studio and showed you how I created all the images for the previous recipe. From the idea that sparked the creativity to the set-up and editing: Behind The Scenes of the Crepes Photoshoot.
I have been working on a series of historical essays about the food of New England, where I live. I want to debunk the myth that American food is only hamburgers and hot dogs and show how some recipes have a deep history and connections with many other gastronomies from around the world. On January I explained the origins of New England Clam Chowder and last month I shared the history of another New England classic: the Yankee Pot Roast. It’s a French dish cooked with an ancient technique that was made American in the hands of the Yankees. You can also see the video I created to show how to make beef bone broth, an important part of the braise.
The last newsletter of the month was a travel guide. I disclosed 5 of my favourite places to eat in the world and the dishes (and restaurants) I would come back for: My favorite places to eat in the world, part 1. Stay tuned for part 2 and 3!
If you are interested to know the reason behind the name “My Cup of Tea”, I shared the story on my last Monday Digest. Read it here.
What’s to come this March
Thursday the 7th: This Thursday you’ll get a new recipe. It’s a favourite in my house for week-night dinners because it’s really easy to make and a lot of fun at the same time: Sushi bowls.
Thursday the 14th: This month’s food photography article will be a really good one to help you take beautiful photos without any professional equipment at all, only with the camera of your phone. The base of a good photo is knowing how to use the light to your advantage: Tips for taking better photos: understand your light.
Thursday the 21st: This month’s historical article will not be about a New England dish, but ingredient: Maple Syrup. The maple sugaring season is a short one and it’s happening now! I have already visited a farm to understand this ancient process and I will visit some more during the Maple Sugar Weekend in a couple of weeks.
Thursday the 28th: As a way to honor Women’s Month, I will be sharing the story of an English woman that changed path in her 40s and decided to open a business selling herbal teas. In the land of milk-tea! I interviewed her and I am looking forward for you to get to know her too! Interview with Candice Mason, founder of Mother Cuppa Tea.
I need your feedback!
It would be super helpful to know your insights on what you like seeing here, what you would be interested in learning more of, etc. So I can put all my time and effort into writing something you will truly enjoy and want to share with others. So here’s a poll:
Food News
The Twilight of the American Sommelier – The New York Times
The Espresso Martini Is Dead, Long Live the Carajillo - Taste
The 38-all times food movies - Eater
Locals don’t really go to Faneuil Hall, say the locals we found at Faneuil Hall - The Boston Globe
A Florida man, two abandoned boats in Nantucket and Provincetown, and one big question: Why? - Boston Globe
Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians, UN rights expert says - The Guardian
Substacks I loved
Who the Hell Is TikTok’s Restaurant Actually For? -
(Tap is fine!)- (La Briffe)
Loving the foods that love you back -
(EDIBLE LIVING by Sarah Copeland)- (by Ruth Reichl, Nancy Silverton and Laurie Ochoa)
My New Friend, the EpiPen: When a Food Writer Has Food Allergies -
(Sixburnersue)The Desk Dispatch: “China View Restaurant [Permanently Closed]” -
(From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy)- (Feminist Food Journal)
The labor of food isn’t invisible, it's ignored -
(The Good Enough Weekly)- (The Good Enough Weekly)
Personal Notes
I dedicated a big part of February to put together my food photography business. You can see my portfolio here. I’d love to work with local Massachussets restaurant owners and farmers as well as create compelling photos for food companies and cookbook writers! If you are interested or know someone who might me, get in touch!
As many of you, I also loved The Taste of Things, a movie by French Director Tran Anh Hung, starring Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel. I watched it on Valentine’s Day and it was the perfect way to end the day after a big bowl of seafood pasta shared with Ross. Evocative, a love letter to slow cooking, to its sounds and to the gourmands that enjoy it.
This last weekend I also took a trip to Orlando. As a young girl I always imagined going to the theme parks in Orlando, but from Barcelona, Spain, it seemed so far away. So when Ross told me he had to be there for a work event, I didn’t hesitate to take the 2 and a half hour flight from Boston. It was a lot of fun! Also, I don’t know who needs to hear this but: you don’t need a child to go to Disneyland 😉
