this shit rocks no. 48: on dates, dots, and dips

Need a holiday appetizer? Make this baba ganoush!

Ok, let’s talk about cookies. Last week’s newsletter featured my salted pistachio and strawberry cookies (have you tried them yet?), but I want to know what holiday cookies you plan to make in the next couple weeks. Is there a recipe that you live and die by? Leave a comment and TELL ME! No need to gatekeep your favorite cookie, mmmkay?

I want to try out these gochujang caramel cookies, these neopolitan cookies, and this clever shortbread dough that can be used 6 ways (we’ll see if I end up making any of them).

Some of my favorites that I’ve made and loved in years past is the Alison Roman shortbread cookie (a classic), this festive marbled shortbread, these tahini billionare bars, and these honey vanilla cookies (I like to add cardamom). Also, they’re not a cookie, but I still can’t get over these banoffee bars that I made for Friendsgiving. Okay, enough cookie talk—here are some products that I’m really into right now.

Nike Air Force 1 Fontanka

I bought these shoes a couple months ago and they have scored me endless compliments. I LOVE COMPLIMENTS. I am doing my absolute darndest to keep them squeaky clean and so far, I’m surprisingly doing a half decent job. They are extremely comfy and make all of my boring outfits look way cooler. I originally bought them from ASOS but they’re on sale on the Nike website. Heads up, I had to size down a half size from what I normally wear.

Psssst…remember those Flyknit Nike sneakers I’m obsessed with (you know, the ones that I bought a second pair of because they’re so comfy AND on sale)? Well, it has been brought to my attention that they make the same shoe for MEN (also on sale), so I bought a pair for my brother (comfortable announcing this gift here because I know with certainty that he won’t read this). FLYKNITS FOR THE WHOLE FAM!

Spring & Mulberry Dark Chocolate

I must have something sweet every night before I go to bed. It is a habit that I never intend on breaking. My go to sweet treat is a dark chocolate peanut butter cup from Trader Joe’s, but lately I’ve been really into this date-sweetened dark chocolate. It is my perfect level of sweetness (72% to be exact)—richer and darker than your average milk or semi-sweet chocolate, but not so dark that it’s unbearably bitter.

I love dates (the ones that you eat, not the ones where you have to listen to a man tell you about how he loves outer space and small batch whiskey), but I wouldn’t say this has an overwhelming date-y flavor. If someone just handed me this chocolate, I would probably never know it was sweetened with dates.

For something simple, I would start with the basic dark chocolate bar, and I’ve also been loving the mixed berry. This variety pack one thousand percent qualifies for the category of Food Gifts That Don’t Suck.

Studio Arhoj Dot

I popped into Huset, a Scandinavian design shop on Abbott Kinney, and came across these adorable ceramic sculptures that were peering into my soul. There was one dot in particular whose color scheme really spoke to me, so I bought it because I felt like this dot and I will have a nice life together.

This dot is completely pointless (literally…lol), and I adore it so much. I put my dot on my nightstand, so it’s the first and last thing I see everyday. Next, I plan to buy one of the crystal blobs so my dot has a friend.

And if you’re in LA and similarly find yourself in Huset, ask for Julie and tell her I sent you. You probably won’t get a discount or anything (…I didn’t), but she will be very excited to point you towards the dot and blob selection.

Baba Ganoush

Serves: 6-8

I made this for a baby shower that I catered last week which reminded me how easy it is to make and how enjoyable it is to eat. It’s just a few simple ingredients and you don’t need a grill or gas burners (though you could use either) to create that signature smoky, charred flavor.

All of the toppings are optional, but I’d highly recommend pomegranate molasses (I love this one from Just Date). Its sweet and tangy flavor cuts right through the smoky, nutty flavor of the dip. I’d also recommend a smooth, premium tahini (none of that chunky nonsense). My favorites are Soom or Seed and Mill. The Whole Foods 365 tahini is good, too.