For a dollar, cook something by a non-white person

Is this late? Is it early? I've really lost my idea of time right now - I'm leaning real hard into tea time, but the kind of tea time you have when you're wealthy or 50 and can spend three hours from 3pm drinking a gin-based cocktail and then a spread of cakes you barely touch. Working from home lunches are too much thought. 

I'm going to launch right into it: Everyone is cooking the same three dishes right now and it's making my Instagram unbearable. I understand, somewhat, but if quarantine has exposed anything for me, it's how many people I know don't turn to rice or spice when in emotional turmoil. I've somewhat taken myself off Instagram to prevent an unfair comment, but how do I feel? Disappointed? Like that scene in Force Majeure where the husband runs to shelter alone, but the husband is my entire Instagram timeline and I'm sat covered in snow while he coddles anchovy pasta, three different cookie recipes that make *the exact same fucking cookie*, and some probably badly raised chicken.

Why didn't all the food enthusiasts when the flour shortage happened turn to semolina and rice flour? Why does everyone like shit cookies?

Blessings go to Romy Gill and Priya Krishna, two breaths of fresh air through this, and the reason I remain stalking the TL.

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The past week was Burmese New Year, which is probably most well known for the big water fights that happen across the country. I didn't celebrate it as a kid, but celebrating Lunar New Year with my partner in recent years has given me an appetite for my own special day of attention and devotion. 

Unfortunately, due to current events, I didn't have the time to collect together ingredients for the big day. But I do have a big list of all the things I wanted to cook (and will slowly cook over the next few months). I'm going to leave them here. I got tagged into a lovely tweet the other morning about someone craving Burmese food, which is still wild to me as ten years ago it was a barely experienced cuisine. More and more people discovering it means the world to me. 

Ohn No Khauk Swe - Chicken coconut noodle soup (several recipes attached). Delicious on its own, even better when topped with eggs, herbs and crunchy noodles. 

Lahpet - Pickled tea leaf salad. Crunchy, fresh, moreish.

FRITTERS - Veggie and Prawn 

Semolina cake (My dad's favourite)

Faluda - My favourite. 

If you're observing or celebrating anything in isolation right now, whether that's your birthday or Ramadan or whatever, I wish you the best. There's a cool initiative here to encourage those observing to share photos of what they're eating for Suhoor. 

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You should read Angela's piece on how to make high street favs at home, then please god someone make me a Subway sandwich I miss it so much. 

You should watch J. Kenji López-Alt's POV videos. 

You should read this about the BA test kitchen, and this about how isolation is a nightmare for those with EDs. Which is probably why I'm so mad. 

And you should and support local as much as you can right now. Check-in on your favourite deli, walk by that really great pub and see if things are ok. 

RK

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