I’m just coming off a poutine bender.
My nephew turned 15 yesterday. He had few requests for his fête, only a poutine bar and a tres leche cake. A little Canadian, and little Nicaraguan, where he first had the cake when we rented a house in Grenada a few Februaries ago.
Tomorrow, the celebrations continue with a fam jam at my parents’ pool. His birthday will be toasted again, Father’s Day noted, but playing a minor role to the kid’s celebration. We will barbecue for dinner, of course, and restore ourselves in between swims with slices of juicy watermelon.
Home-based parties at their finest.
I have a friend who is currently taking a mini-vacation in Las Vegas. My sister is taking her family to New York City for a few days at the end of June. I just saw another friend post from a stay in Sedona, Arizona.
Interestingly Forbes is reporting that Canadian travel to the US dropped by 40% last month. The business magazine goes on to reveal more than three-quarters of Canadians will keep travel within our borders this summer, costing America untold billions and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
(If you’re wondering about Americans crossing into Canada, those numbers are down, too, but not significantly. Less than 10% for car travel last month and a barely needle-moving .3% for air.)
I don’t have major travel plans until the fall. We have a trip to France scheduled in September/October for a few days in Paris, a multi-day bike ride through Loire, and week or so in Champagne. I’m hoping we can sneak in a few days in Alsace, but that may be pushing it.
So for the rest of the summer I, like 77% of my fellow Canadians, will luxuriate in the comforts of home.
Poutine for all!
The Weekender is free for all to read.
But if you would like to help keep me in potatoes and cheese curds, please consider upgrading to the premium membership for $6CDN, which is roughly $4USD and slightly less than €4.
And if premium membership is not in the cards right now, I totally get it. These weekend posts remain free and however you subscribe, I’m happy you’re here.
To Read
Dinner with Edward by Isabel Vincent
Someone here recommended this book to me, but I forget whom. Mystery recommender, if you’re reading, thank you!
This short novel was right up my alley. It’s the true story of a Canadian journalist transplanted to New York and struggling to keep her marriage alive. Meanwhile, her friend’s nonagenarian father is struggling for meaning following the death of wife of 60-something years. The unlikely pair begin meeting for superb dinners at his place, that he prepares from scratch. Naturally both get their chutzpah back while developing a deep and meaningful friendship.
Each chapter starts with the menu that was served and details Edward’s method for a perfectly chilled martini, impossibly flakey pastry crust, and the secret to the fluffiest scrambled eggs.
Foodies and book lovers, you will love this.
Easy Grinder
Unfortunately, this is a US-only purchase as Sur la Table doesn’t ship internationally. However, I have a dual-citizen friend who spends her summers in Oregon. I gave her my request and just like that the exclusive American pepper mill is now happily housed in Toronto.
Perhaps you can find your own pepper-grinder mule. Or, maybe my part-time Oregonian friend could have a tidy little side hustle smuggling pepper mills across the border. Do you think DJT would be more or less pissed about pepper mills than fentanyl? Wouldn’t want to start a trade war or anything.
Anyway, after hearing
marvel about this pepper mill, I had to get one for myself. Yes, I got the white one, which does look a little like the newest Apple sex toy, but it grinds like a champ (so maybe it could be a sex toy)! Fast and efficient and all around brilliant. The ratchet feature would also be a relief for anyone with compromised grip strength or arthritic hands.Cookout in Style
Cook It Wild by Chris Nuttal-Smith
I’m not much of a camper, which is not to say I’m not into it, but I haven’t really done much of it.
That being said, I am a hiker and I have been known to lunch on a beach every now and then. I’ve even picnicked, despite my personal feelings about picnics.
And, when I am eating deep al fresco, as in, food made in one place and then consumed in another place that lacks a proper kitchen and potentially plumbing, I still want to eat well and satisfyingly.
This book is truly the resource you need for transportive, elevated meals that feel complete. Even better than the recipes there are fantastic tips for everything from packing a cooler, to variations on trips (cycling vs hiking vs paddling vs camping), and gear to get and avoid.
An, “In a Pinch” Marinade
This is the marinade I use most often for steak.
It’s just easy and simple and I always have the ingredients on hand. I don’t have to think too much about it, or make a special run to the grocery store.
I usually just eyeball the portions, but I measured it out this time. I decided to base the marinade on a 5 oz piece of beef, which I think leaves flexibility for bigger pieces. If you have a pound of beef, multiply by 3; a 10oz steak multiply by 2… you get the picture.
Per 5oz of meat…
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (the cheap grocery store stuff is perfect here)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped fine, optional
Stir the marinade ingredients together and add the beef, flipping once or twice to cover well. Marinate for at least an hour, flipping once or twice more, or up to six hours.
For Fun
Can you do this viral social media exercise?
Apparently women can do it and men can’t. I had my doubts, but I tried (on my bed just in case) and I could do it.
Let me know if you can!
Next Week…
On Wednesday I’m sharing the summer menu we will turn to again and again on pool days. The cocktails, the wine, the snacks, and the dinner. It’s delicious and casual and everything summer should be.
Next Saturday I’ll have a post for everyone about simple summer tips and tricks to elevating every gathering.
I’ll see you then.
xo – Erin
Before you go, would you mind checking the little heart at the bottom (or top) of this post?
And if you like reading Quaintrelle – and I hope you do – I would be grateful if you could send this post on to a few friends who might get a kick out of it, too.
How did I miss this post? Also, we have the same red pepper mill :)