Quaintrelle Weekender

Pies on pies, a cracking Châteauneuf, and a snack that will make you immortal. Four Way to a better weekend.

Welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender.

This is a short list of things I am currently loving to make eating, drinking, and hosting easier and a lot more interesting.

My dad and me getting cozy in the living room. My parents still live in that house (though they’ve updated the decor.)

You Can Go Home Again…

As you read this, I am waking up in my childhood bedroom. Actually, I’m technically waking up in my sister’s childhood bedroom. I grew up in the larger room in which she and her husband are currently sleeping, and I’ve been relegated to her slightly smaller room as punishment for staying single.

We’re here because last night we celebrated my dad’s 80th birthday. In our family, as I suspect in most, the birthday boy or girl gets to pick the menu. My British-born-and-raised dad wanted my classic steak and mushroom pie, and requested my sister make an apple pie for dessert. So it was pie followed by pie, and to be honest, I’m here for it.

My father is also a very big fan of French wines, especially Rhône, though he’s equally enamoured with Burgundy and, being a good London boy, won’t turn down a nice claret. So I dug through my tickle trunk and found a 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a vintage, that despite the wilting heat, is considered a real banger.

I liked this quirky menu. It might just be one of my all-time favourites. Homey, and welcoming, and tasty, and unfussy we feasted like kings on very simple foods. If I was in a deeper mood, I’d wang on about simplicity and the meaning of life, but I haven’t really got it in me. It was a late and fun and wine-fuelled night. And I’m tired in all the best ways.

My dad and me outside my childhood home. (I asked my dad to recreate this photo; he declined.)

This Simple Snack Will Make You Live Forever

Or, at least in a really, really long time. And other things might be involved in your longevity, but a lot of really old people attribute this nightly nosh as the key to their immortality.

Homemade Mascarpone Recipe

When I mentioned in Wednesday’s email that I’m making my own mascarpone, a lot of people were curious. Curious like how one might watch a shark attack curious. But if you want to wade into the dark waters with me, check out the link above. Just note, for those of us living in North America, ultra-pasteurized cream will not yield a thickened cheese.

How to Clean Literally Anything

OK, long time Quaintrellians know I am a major – major – fan of baking soda for all kinds of cleaning – scrubbing pots and pans, disinfecting and deodorizing wooden cutting boards, shoes, and gym clothes (and cats that have been sprayed by a skunk), as well as getting out the mothball stench from fabrics. So when Dan Pelosi posted about the ease of cleaning with baking soda on his uber popular IG channel and people freaked out, I was like the nerdy kid in the front row shooting my arm up and shouting, “I said that!” Still, Dan seems like a really good guy, so I’m glad he’s spreading the gospel of bicarbonate.

Patience is The Number 1 Ingredient in a Good Braise

Enjoy this gift link from The New York Times. I came across this 2018 article when I wanted to triple check that I wouldn’t kill my family if I started the beef braise for my dad’s meat pie filling, partially cook it, and then finish it off the next day. (All good: everyone’s still kicking.) Anyway, not only did Julia Moskin’s article calm my worries, but she inadvertently validated my recently acquired obsession with ultra-slow cooking, and my applause for the proletariat slow cooker.

Wine, Women & Wealth

A funny thing happened the other day. I was googling the easiest way to get cooked-on egg off stainless steel pans (hint: it’s baking soda), and as I typed the four words, “the easiest way to…” Google auto-populated the sentence with, “…make money.” In good times, and in bad, and whatever the hell it is we’re living through right now, clearly, everyone is focused on their money, their futures, and how to maximize both. So I decided to gather some of the best financial minds I know and create a fun and empowering event to learn about wealth creation, debt reduction, and the best strategies to help us get where we want to go. It’s April 24 at Vantage Venues downtown Toronto, and I hope you’ll join us.

Thank you for reading Quaintrelle.

This newsletter is written by me, Erin Henderson, journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur. I literally drink and throw parties for a living.

Every Saturday I share links to to a better weekend, and every Wednesday, I share a premium post with my best tips and tricks to easy, elegant entertaining.

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