All the food(-related media) I consumed this month
A February edit.
February has been a month of gastronomical wonder. I ate food, I watched food, I read food, but unfortunately, I did not make food.
My tenure in the kitchen came to a sudden halt the moment I left my study abroad stint a couple of months ago. Now at home and spoiled by my aunt’s seasoned cooking, I hardly every step foot in the kitchen anymore. But, boy, do I miss it.
I miss experimenting with recipes I found on TikTok. I miss making chicken/prawn sandwiches for uni, scrambled eggs with hash browns for breakfast or supper, and an array of Malay dishes for the Malaysia-sized void in my heart (and tummy). I miss doing inventory of my not-so-impressive pantry and going grocery shopping alone. I miss reheating last night’s dinner for lunch. I miss creating. I miss doing something purely for my own pleasure.
As I am writing this, I begin to wonder what exactly prompted this yearning for the kitchen. Then it hits me: February is back to uni time for most Australian universities and it seems my brain still thinks that I’d fly off and go back to cooking for myself again. But I have just graduated and don’t plan to be back on campus grounds for some time, so this culinary void was filled by consuming all things cooking and food-related.
Instagram food bloggers and cooks
Here’s a secret: I ran an Instagram food blog back at uni. I’ve long abandoned it, but still log back in from time to time to scroll through my feed, salivate at the photos of breakfast platters and pastas, and save recipes for, you know, when I do get back in the kitchen.
My following list on that account consists exclusively of cooks, chefs, food bloggers, and students documenting their recent meals and creations. Here are some accounts that I’ve returned to in February for some inspo:
@eatpplwithkindness – One of the earliest accounts I followed. Any details of the person running it is a mystery. I was just drawn in by the handle (can you tell I was a Harrie in my past life?) and the foods that graced this person’s feed, which I thought was an inviting curation of simple home-cooked meals and takeaways – perfect for first time cooks and university students on a budget.
@tenderherbs – A little higher up the ranks in expertise is
‘s impressive portfolio of home-cooked meals and baked goods. I can only wish to be as skilful as her and for my food to come out looking as aesthetic as her’s one day. Also, I was delighted to find out she has a Substack newsletter! Subscribed and ready to absorb her skills.
@somethingsiliketocook – Another ambitious cook for a rookie to follow is Clementine Day. While I couldn’t even begin to imagine myself (now) whipping up something as beautiful as Clementine’s, it doe reassure me a little to know that she was a self-taught cook herself. So, it is still possible – some time in the future – for me to come out of the kitchen bearing delicious food.
I regret not getting my hands on a copy of her cookbook when I was in Australia.
@audreysaurus – All I have to say is her Hawai’i-inspired garlic shrimp fed me through my last two years of law school. I would make that every other week, if not every other day, especially during finals.
TV shows
Two reasons why I’m so obsessed with all things cooking this month: The Bear and Anthony Bourdain.
There was never a plan to watch The Bear. Not even the sydcarmy fan edits and Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein ad (which I also haven’t seen btw) made me want to watch the show, but after winning big at the SAG Awards, I thought I’d give it a go.
And I was hooked. I mean, it was a lot and my cousin would get stressed out every time Cousin Richie came on screen (funnily enough, by the end of season two Richie actually became her favourite) and the excessive profanities made my ears bleed, but boy were we hooked! We finished the whole series within five days.
In the midst of The Bear, I stumbled upon Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential. I read the first few pages and like a child who had just tasted chocolate for the first time, I wanted more – but then I saw the price and promptly put the book back on the shelf. To fill this void, I watched old recordings of No Reservations on the tele and read a bunch of food-related newsletters (see below).
By the end of the month I was developing a crush on Mr. Bourdain and having recurring thoughts about going to culinary school.
Writings
I’ve mentioned these pieces in my previous newsletter, but
‘s Pastry School Girl and ‘s Ice Cream Tour were really good reads this month. I am also still dreaming of that udon cacio e pepe from ‘s A Very Good Stay in Paris.Cheating a little bit as I read this in March, but
‘s This Is Culinary Nationalism is so good I have to let you know about it now.Actual food
Besides food-related media, actual food were consumed too.
I’d like to highlight a restaurant I really enjoyed this month: Walkpot. It was recommended to me by my TikTok algorithm and I know what you’re thinking, but unlike most TikTok recommendations – often overhyped and disappointingly mediocre – this one was actually really good.
And a little different too. Instead of serving the meal the traditional way – soup in a huge pot in the middle of the table for the party to share – this one is served to you in a small paper bowl. Each individual gets to pick a broth and ingredients to go into their personal hotpot bowl. Perfect for picky eaters and solo-daters.
My go-to order consists of their Mala soup (which is just spicy enough to make you grab a tissue to wipe snot off your face), enoki mushrooms, chicken slices, bok choy, and beancurd rolls with a side of rice. The whole thing costs RM25 and that includes a drink as well. Worth it, I think.
Other things
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath – Contrary to what one might think, I am not a Lana Del Rey coquette girlie. But I was feeling particularly melancholic, so decided to get a copy of The Bell Jar to shoo the sorrows away. Let me just tell you this now, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WHEN YOUR MIND IS NOT AT ITS BEST!
Chocolate x Work remix.
@ihatekatebush on Instagram.
Tiger Stripes (2023) – I’ve been dying to watch this one since it was announced as Cannes’ Grand Prix winner. A unique take on girlhood and coming-of-age, Tiger Stripes explores what it’s like to go from girl to woman and the personal and social woes that come with it.
End of Beginning by DJO.
Missing (2023).
Society of the Snow (2023) – devastated they didn’t win the Oscars!
Booktok & the hotgirlification of reading by Mina Le.
I am pretty sure I consumed a lot more, but this is all I can recall. What did you indulge in this month?
Oooh just as I was wondering where to find new recipe inspiration!
thank you Asirah!