Soooo many great new cookbooks, the film being released today that Rotten Tomatoes gave 96%, the new-to-me facial oil I have added to my skincare regimen (and am loving!), the French rain boot that may just take the place of your favorite Hunter wellies, two premieres of television series (one new, one loved), as well as much more.

Books

—Best Before: The Evolution and Future of Processed Food by Nicola Temple

After listening to a recent episode of Milk Street Radio and being introduced to author Nicola Temple talk about her book Best Before, I became intrigued by the history she shared and the information she revealed about the breadth of processed foods and which may be okay to keep in our diet, while abstaining from others. Her book was released in 2018 but shares timeless information to be aware of as we plan our weekly menus.

“Best Before puts processed food into perspective. It explores how processing methods have evolved in many of the foods that we love in response to big business, consumer demand, health concerns, innovation, political will, waste and even war. Best Before arms readers with the information they need to be rational consumers, capable of making informed decisions about their food.”

Cookbooks

—Antoni: Let’s Do Dinner by Antoni Porowski

—Cook This Book: Techniques That Teach and Recipes to Repeat by Molly Baz

The bestseller released this past spring, Molly Baz’s Cook This Book “breaks the essentials of cooking down to clear and uncomplicated recipes that deliver big flavor with little effort and a side of education, including dishes like Pastrami Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Onions and Dill, Chorizo and Chickpea Carbonara, and of course, her signature Cae Sal. But this is not your average cookbook. More than a collection of recipes, Cook This Book teaches you the invaluable superpower of improvisation though visually compelling lessons on such topics as the importance of salt and how to balance flavor, giving you all the tools necessary to make food taste great every time.”

—The Crêpe Recipe Book for Beginners (60+ Sweet and Savory Recipes) by Ann Costlow

I made my first crêpe in a handful of months this past Wednesday and was reminded why I love them. Then I found the below recipe was included and with all of the peaches I need to figure out what to do with, guess what I will be making this weekend? ☺️

I only recently began making and enjoying crêpes, and while I have one cookbook that helped me get started, Ann Costlow’s will be one I add to my cookbook library. “Discover crepe kitchen essentials―Learn how to choose the right pans for crepe making, how to work with crepe makers, and how to stock your kitchen with other must-have tools and ingredients; simple ingredients―whip up delectable breakfasts, main courses, and desserts with a crepe recipe book that uses everyday ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store; and detailed instructions―find step-by-step directions and tutorial photos for creating the perfect, wafer-thin pancake, including variations for vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo batters.” Let’s slip away to France shall we, and enjoy crêpes in a variety of ways, each one will no doubt be spectacular based on the contents of this cookbook.

—Maman: The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart by Elisa Marshall, Benjamin Sormonte & Lauren Salkeld

Being released on Tuesday (September 14th), the founders of Maman, a café and bakery that opened in Soho (NYC) in 2014, has opened bakeries in Canada and has become a haunt of locals, travelers, celebrities and everyone in between who enjoy the full experience of the senses. Now they have a cookbook.

“Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte opened maman to fill a void in their hearts. They wanted to create a warm, cozy place for people to come together and savor a freshly baked madeleine or slice of savory quiche with the comfort and familiarity of being in their own living room. This collection of 100 recipes spans bestselling dishes from their locations in New York City, Montreal, and Toronto—like Banana-Lavender Cornmeal Waffles with Vanilla Mascarpone, Cumin Chickpea Salad, and the Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies made famous by none other than Oprah.” Sounds like a delicious reason to spend even more time in the kitchen.

Film

—Language Lessons

Critics have delighted in Natalie Morales directorial debut, a film she also wrote and stars. Mark Duplass co-wrote and also stars in Language Lessons (you may recognize him from Morning Show fame), a film about a Spanish teacher and her student develop an unexpected friendship. Being released today, have a look at the trailer below.

—The Lost Leonardo

Having just opened on August 13th, I cannot wait to go and enjoy The Lost Leonardo at a local boutique theater this week. “The Lost Leonardo is the inside story behind the Salvator Mundi, the most expensive painting ever sold at $450 million. From the moment the painting is bought for $1175 at a shady New Orleans auction house, and the restorer discovers masterful Renaissance brushstrokes under the heavy varnish of its cheap restoration, the Salvator Mundi’s fate is determined by an insatiable quest for fame, money and power. As its price soars, so do questions about its authenticity: is this painting really by Leonardo da Vinci?” Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in a theater near you now.

Francophile Find

—Délicieux

While I already included Délicieux (Delicious) in last month’s French Week’s This & That, I wanted to remind you that it premiered this week on September 8th. I cannot wait for it to begin streaming (or maybe, if I’m lucky, one of the two small boutique theaters will be showing it soon ☺️). Have a look at the trailer below.

—Le Chameau Giverny jersey lined boots

Shopping

—Levain cookies

In 2014, during a trip to New York City, I made sure to visit a bakery that was receiving quite a bit of buzz. Located on the Upper West Side, and nestled in a quintessential NYC UWS neighborhood, I stepped down the two cement steps, opened the door and was greeted by the comforting scent of warm chocolate chip cookies. Purchasing more than just one, I strolled through Central Park nibbling on one of their classic large cookies full of the perfect bite of crispy edges and warm, gooey inside. That memory remains cemented in my mind.

And while I am little late to the party, if you want to enjoy these cookies wherever you live, you can either find them at a local grocer (click here to see where they are sold – Whole Foods is a frequent partner), or order them as gifts to ship. Bend’s Whole Foods is supposed to carry Levain’s cookies, so I will be making a trip there soon to find out and enjoy something I have not tasted for far too long. ?

—Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil

Television

—Frankie Drake, Season 4 (the final season)

While released in Canada early this year, finally those of us not in Canada who have been wanting to see how the Frankie Drake Mystery series ends can find out. The ten episodes are now available on Amazon Prime via PBS Masterpiece. I am already through episode #8. I have enjoyed them far too quickly – they are wonderful. Here is the trailer for the season. Enjoy.

—Scenes from a Marriage, HBO

Being released this Sunday (12th) on HBO, Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac star in a five-episode mini series adapted from “Ingmar Bergman’s classic Swedish series of the same name, Scenes from a Marriage re-examines the dilemmas probed by the original, exploring love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage, and divorce through the lens of a contemporary American couple. The limited series mines the full complexity of Jonathan and Mira as individuals who ultimately know their marriage isn’t being torn apart by any one event or flaw, but who themselves are torn between feelings of hate and love.” More than eager to explore this series. Have a look at the trailer below.

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Conclusions and beginnings occurred this week, and thus celebrations. The guest bathroom has been completed! A peek is above, and look for the full tour to be shared at the end of September for TOP Tier Members/Subscribers. While it took a bit longer than I had envisioned (even with extensions on my hopes for the time frame), it is done and it is done well. We are now moving on to the primary bathroom, and I hope it will be done before the holidays (I am not sure what to envision if it takes longer, but at least I know it will be done beautifully as my contractor pays close attention to the details).

Adding simple touches and improvements into the house and life routine as Rentrée officially begins here in the states following Labor Day, from a bouquet of mixed gladiolus, updating the fall wardrobe and skincare routine with a couple improved choices, to beginning new traditions – sharing the bounty from the peach trees with my neighborhood, September is beginning well, and with a promised rain storm to visit Friday morning and throughout the day, the smoke will likely clear and a concert at the local amphitheater will be enjoyed with friends later this weekend.

I hope September began well for you also, and as it is the second Saturday in September, that means, a new season of The Simply Luxurious Kitchen cooking show premiere tomorrow (check out the trailer below). Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you for choosing to stop by. Below are articles and posts you might enjoy and a fun video for fans of Ted Lasso. Until tomorrow, bonne journée.

~Inspiration to sprout in your own way! I so enjoyed reading this post from Austin Kleon – What does a seed look like?

~The 8 best places to picnic in Paris [Frenchly]

~A new way to use rosemary from your garden – Rosemary Olive Oil Cake [101 Cookbooks]

~Good news! Willamette Valley wines are now certified by Europe (Willamette Valley is located in the western part of Oregon – known for their pinot noirs)

~A thought provoking read – Why peace has nothing to do with how you feel [Think Less, Grow Rich]

~These pancakes from Brooklyn restaurant Chez Ma Tante [NYT Cooking]

~This week’s house tour takes us to North Carolina – a cottage pairing minimalism with a love for treasured finds. Is it possible? Yep! Take the tour here [House & Garden UK]

~Inspiration and ideas for longevity and healthy life [CNBC]

~Good to know for the next time you visit France! What type of baguette to actually buy in France [French Today]

~If you are enjoying Ted Lasso, you’ll enjoy this conversation between the female stars of the show (the first line from Juno Temple captured my attention immediately). Enjoy.

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Catch up and read last week’s This & That: September 3, 2021

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