While it is indeed true–like the bumpersticker said–that the best things in life are not things, I find that certain things, from time to time, make me pretty darn happy. And that’s the kind of happiness I usually want to share, because you just might get a little of your own happy from the same things. And while we all want to get in touch with our own Mother Theresa, isn’t it just more fun to have your own happy, instead of just altruistically appreciating someone else’s?
In no particular order, here are some things that are making me smile this week:
Emile Henry, when I can afford it. Found a few pieces dirt, dirt cheap the other day, totally by accident. Still made me feel a little grown up to buy it. Given my druthers, I’d prefer to furnish my table with nothing but hand-thrown plates and bowls and such. But EH and other storebought labels like it come in a close second–simple, sturdy, substantial, beautiful.
Amaranth. I’ve been popping the seeds and leaving them in a bowl on the stove for impromptu snacking. So simple and delicious. I’ve also been splurging on some locally-grown red amaranth sprouts for sandwiches–a rich scarlet purple, they’re lovely and tasty, two qualities most good food should have.
The Saveur 100. I know other folks are still mourning the demise of Gourmet, but my food porn of choice has long been Saveur. This 100 issue is compiled entirely of reader submissions, and it’s as good as ever. My copy is already dog-eared and ready for re-reading.
Bob’s Red Mill Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix. Ignore the cumbersome name. This bread is the more, well, bread-y of the gluten-free types I’ve sampled. The chickpea flour keeps it from having that cakey sweetness that the rice-based versions have, and the texture is a winner–just a little chewy, it holds up to sandwiches and keeps very well for a week or more. It’s so good I’ve even (temporarily) forgiven myself for using a pre-made mix. Fresh out of the oven, smeared with a little Kerrygold and some of my friend’s apricot butter? Heavenly.
