04/14/2020

As all of us continue to swim in the uncharted waters that are the month of April in the year 2020, somehow food has become a prevailing storyline. I noticed it early on when suddenly bread baking posts on this site that were years old became overnight among our most trafficked posts. It shouldn’t have been a surprise (and yet was) when I couldn’t find yeast at any of the local grocery stores the next week. That’s the short story for how our current sourdough starter was born.

For the first month I found myself cooking things I hadn’t made in years or ever, enjoying time in the kitchen while also marveling at just how much of my day was now spent in this one room of our home. More than a month in now, I find myself reaching for the recipes that are familiar favorites– our favorite enchiladas, bowls, and oh my gosh I just want a totally delicious salad with homemade dressing.

Thinking of this food evolution one afternoon while rocking Ever, I decided to phone (text) a friend (20 actually) to find out what is the actual best thing they’ve made during quarantine. Here’s what they said:

One Pot Beef Stroganoff via Damn Delicious

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread via Half Baked Harvest

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Spring Onions via Alison Roman (Buy her book here!)

Quick Pickled Onions via Minimalist Baker

No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Energy Bars via Fit Foodie Finds

Boneless Baked Wings via Host the Toast

Ham and Cheese Quiche via Dessert for Two

Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread via The Effortless Chic

Crispy Falafel with Homemade Pita via Nerds with Knives

Copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs via Rachael’s Good Eats

Quick & Easy Beef Chili via Skinnytaste

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan via Julie’s Eats and Treats

One-Bowl Poundcake via New York Times

Chickpea, Kale and Coconut Soup otherwise known as “The Stew” via Alison Roman

Instant Pot Baked Ziti via The Kitchn (image by Joe Lingeman)

Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins via Together as Family

Butternut Squash and Chorizo Hash via Epicurious

Grilled Chicken Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa via The Defined Dish

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie via Sugar and Charm

Mojo Pork Meatballs with Mojo Sauce via Bon Appétit