big catch up + cookbook highs/lows + ravioli lasagne ✨
October you beast! I write to you feeling pretty depleted honestly, after a month of hectic cookbook-ery happenings, uni assignments, surprise vet visits, kitchen deep-cleans, family staying and VCE exam supervision. I did get it all done *sigh*, but it was a lot, and I can feel my body asking for this busy run to be oVer.
My attention now is on the book launch next week. It'll be a week of prepping and cooking for that (then actually doing it, help!) and then I can rEst. Although you bet I'll be trying to nap as much as possible this week!
From the busy-ness that's been, I'm really craving some hibernation time. Not a particularly 'you have a book out'-suitable state of being, but just some more space for cooking creatively, journalling, not having to get back to people and tidying my space will be SO healing!
I WANT DOPAMINE FOR DINNER.
I'm aware I've banged on about the cookbook enough this past month – in vlogs and this newsletter! It was a totally huge month which I'll need another 4–8 weeks to process! To think the books hadn't even arrived this time 4 weeks ago...
The only major big bump was 80% of the US orders being returned to me without a verifiable reason... cue meltdown. Once I resurfaced, realised I can't be the only one this has happened to and received mostly incredibly understanding messages from the customers it affected – I pulled myself together and contacted AusPost, who ended up being ridiculously understanding about it and said they'll give me a full refund! Thank god.
Another print run is on the way and will be here in time for Christmas deliveries, so pre-orders are open again! Some stockists have already sold out and have requested more books too which is just amazing!
I'm starting to be able to enjoy it more now that I'm past the major stress stage *touch wood*.
Seeing the book on Reading's website in such *legit* cookbook company... !!!
Some people asked which recipes they can freeze or make ahead (totally something I should have worked into the design of the book!... next time!) – anyway, I've written a website post with all that information, which you can find here!
Receiving and reading people's reviews has been the gift which keeps on giving! Thank you endlessly for anyone who has gone out of their way to speak / share / talk about it!
I was particularly touched by Ismat Awan's (an incredible Australian-Pakistani recipe developer I've admired for a long time) review on TikTok. Hearing someone completely get what you set out to do, is a very special feeling. Thank you Ismat!
WRITING.
I'm in the frankie issue 128! With a review of different vegan chocolates. A dream gig! I Want Dopamine for Dinner was generously featured as well in their frank bits section, a total pinch me – 15 year old me would need a lie down over it – moment.
I also have a piece in frankie's special travel issue, PLACES !! The article is all about housesitting and it's the first piece I've interviewed other people for. Writing goal for the year – ticked!
YOUTUBE.
I posted 3 videos this month! 50 Accomodations I use for Autism + ADHD, a vlog from my city stay-cay and a documentation of the lead up to my cookbook's release date.
KITCHEN.
L–R: zucchini fritters with Japanese potato salad, schnitzel over spaghetti with a green salad and a buffalo tofu burrito bowl.
L–R: spinach lasagne with a green salad, shawarma-style tofu (Dopamine or Dinner recipe) and a GF focaccia I made.
L–R: impeccable vegan/gf sushi rolls from Shimbashi Soba (Northcote), some veggie sausage rolls (Dopamine or Dinner recipe) with a green salad and trying a protein chocolate wafer bar from Healthy Lab (Coles) which was yom.
L–R: these gluten-free (does contain egg) donut holes by Katz are super addictive (Woolworths). I also made some chocolate bars in this tray, inspired by the millionaire's chocolate slices in I Want Dopamine for Dinner.
L–R: spinach miso noodles from I Want Dopamine for Dinner, some vegan/gf pies for an easy dinner and I also got some meals from IKU to save me last week – but they're honestly so healthy tasting I'm really not keen.
L–R: buttery miso & vegemite noodles with a ginger stir-fried greens, finally tried Pickles Milkbar in Carlton North – I got the caesar sandwich with fried enoki mushrooms and their chocolate shake (10/10 across the board), and a celebratory dinner with a friend at my favourite Immi's Dumpling Bar in Mordialloc.
READING.
Lecasble's Lobster (2003) is about a Lobster who falls in love with the woman who ate his father on board the Titanic. As the Titanic sinks, Lobster saves said woman by bringing her back to consciousness (after she faints) through a life-changing orgasm and the book follows from there. I loved the first half, I couldn't wrap my head around the ending but it was absolutely worth reading (in one sitting).
What I'd Rather Not Think About is a memoir of sorts told through memories and allegory (aka... short chapters!). It's about the author's experience losing her twin to suicide and struggling with both loving, hating and missing him. I was initially put off by a water-boarding story in the opening pages, but I'm glad I persisted because the book is warm, human and very memorable.
This quarter-life crisis featuring debut by Eleanor Kirk (Australian author), Very Impressive For Your Age is everywhere at the moment! The cover is a triumph but I'm afraid, what I liked about this book stopped there. The characters, writing style (which kept changing...), relationships, (lack of) growth and directionless inner monologue waffle – did my head in!!!! I give it props from being extremely readable (no small feat), but otherwise this was not for me.
RECIPE.
This month's recipe is for Ravioli Lasagne or Pumpkin & Pesto Tofu Ricotta Lasagne – aka a lasagne which tastes like ravioli !!! I know last month's recipe was a lasagne recipe as well, but I promise this one is also worth your while! I think that's all the recipes people have been asking me to write up... so expect new ones coming soon!
Thank you for reading & supporting my work,
– Phoebe
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