The joy of fall cooking
On the urge to cook all the things when the weather gets cooler.
Hello (and a reintroduction)!
There are a lot of new faces here so I thought it might be nice to reintroduce myself. Hi! I’m Mishal (pronounced Mish-all). In my day job, I work in editorial at Pinterest. Prior to that, I was a beauty editor for over a decade, which is why you’ll often find beauty product recommendations here (once a beauty editor, always a beauty editor!). I’m a mom to a two-year-old and like so many other new and new(ish) moms, I’m still learning to navigate work, life, identity, and all the big stuff that gets harder and more complicated when you’re taking care of a tiny human being.
I love romance novels, and don’t subscribe to the idea of romance being low brow or a guilty pleasure. And interestingly enough, my love of the genre began with historical romance (reading authors like Julia Quinn, Sarah MacLean and Shelly Thomas) and I still think historical romance writers just masters of the craft. I love to travel and in my old life, I was flying almost every other month. I’m in a different season of my life now, but still want travel to be a part of our family, even if it’s not as often (because frankly, that would be exhausting). Speaking of being in a different season, I’m also slowly finding my way back to fashion after the pandemic, postpartum and a WFH life.
I started this Substack during the pandemic when it felt like we were all in a joy deficit. Since then, it’s expanded to include Q&As/interviews, which has been a really fun throwback to my old editor days and scratches that writing and interviewing itch (interviewing people is one of the things I miss most!).
Nothing gives me more joy than to be able share the things I love that hopefully others will, too. This newsletter has given me the outlet to do that. The comments, emails and DMs I get are one of the things I love most. I’m grateful for this community of readers who’ve either followed me from my old work life or have discovered me on Substack. Thank you for subscribing and letting me share this little world of Small Joys in your inbox. ❤️
The joy of fall cooking
There’s something about fall that automatically flips a switch inside me and after a summer of not wanting to cook or be in the kitchen at all, all I want to do is bake, braise, roast and everything in between. Earlier this week, I was sitting with my son, armed with post-it notes and looking through cookbooks for recipes to make.
I have some things I always have to make come fall, like my mom’s Burmese beef curry, the pad kra pao I try to replicate from Pai restaurant in Toronto, or shredded chipotle chicken in the slow cooker. But I’m also excited to try new recipes from cookbooks I bought this year and okay, and from new ones that are coming out soon (I’ve already pre-ordered Hetal Vasavada’s Desi Bakes!).
Since I’ve been really inspired to cook, I also asked three of my favourite food people to share their favourite go-to fall recipes.
The question: What recipe do you love to cook without fail and is instantly in rotation as soon as it's fall and why?
Charred corn casserole
“Corn is summer’s last boon around here. Thus, my Charred Corn Casserole is really the only answer. It’s a bit over-the-top in a fairground kind of way, and I am into the idea of keeping that vibe going. While not exactly autumnal per se, its makes the seasonal transition much, much easier.” - Tara O’Brady, writer, recipe developer and author of Seven Spoons cookbook (which has the best chocolate cookie recipe).
Saffron orange bread pudding
”I adore bread puddings, because they are so forgiving; plus, they are a lovely way to use up anything that has gone a bit stale (bread or croissants). My Saffron Orange Bread Pudding is something I love to make for my family and friends, as it doesn't require too much faffing about in the kitchen, and yet, it is a beautiful and special dish to share with loved ones. It is gorgeous with freshly whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream. It reminds me of shahi tukray, a Pakistani-style bread pudding, but this is my unique twist on it.” - Shayma Saadat, food content creator, The Spice Spoon
Sausage, kale and potato soup
“I discovered this sausage, potato and kale soup recipe a few years ago, and it's earned a permanent spot on my cozy weather cooking rotation. It's hearty without feeling heavy, and is one of those recipes that's so much greater than the sum of its parts: the smoked sausage builds the foundation of the rich broth, the potatoes thicken up the soup in a super soothing way and the wilted kale soaks up so much flavour you kind of forget you're eating a vegetable. I use the Instant Pot method and it really only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, which I love. I like to add a couple Parmesan rinds to the broth before cooking - it adds a subtly cheesy, umami note to the soup that's so irresistible.” - Lara Buchar, writer, editor and recipe developer
This profile of Ina Garten in The New Yorker.
How to create a dopamine menu for more joyful days.
32 fall desk essentials that give grown-up scholastic book fair energy.
How to make your kitchen look like a Nancy Meyers kitchen.
All about Eugenio Franceschini, the actor who plays Marcello in Emily in Paris.