Welcome to Sunday Reset, where we share how we're unwinding and what we have planned for the week ahead. This time, our editor, Julia, is embracing the ultimate one-pot meal.
Last week, I talked about cinematic plates (recipes inspired by the big screen), and a lot of you shared your own favorites. One I didn't mention—but probably has the most influence on me—is Downton Abbey. That show makes me want to roast a chicken, simmer something on the stove, and decant a bottle of red wine.
When I rewatched the series last year, I got into the habit of making a pot of soup every week. It was budget-friendly, produced great leftovers, and honestly kept me sane during the winter months. So consider this your nudge to start the same ritual. Here are three easy ways to start celebrating soup season:
Pick the right pot. A heavy Dutch (or French) oven really does make a difference in both flavor and presentation. I've been eyeing this red Staub one every day—and it's half off right now.
Double up on flavor. This Italian wedding soup packs it in with homemade meatballs and a Parmesan broth. Or, this spicy butternut squash soup layers on homemade croutons and a coconut chutney.
Don't forget the sides. A simple focaccia turns any soup into a full meal. You can't go wrong with this cheesy garlic one, but consider finishing sweet with this apple fritter one.
Movie kitchens can be just as iconic as the scenes shot in them. We revisited an old roundup of our favorites and added some new ones. Take a look here and tell me which ones you'd add.
—Julia, Editor
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All offers are valid for a limited time, while supplies last, and on in stock items only. Cannot be redeemed for cash or applied to previous orders. Some promotions may not be combined, and exclusions may apply. Full promotion details can be found here.
So far, there’s been a lot of talk, and not much action in Ojai. But, as I learned, that’s the way big renovations go. We purchased our house in March of 2023. It took a year of land surveys, permit applications, drawings, proposals, and value engineering before a single hammer was swung. During this time, Tad and I lived in fantasy land. Back in Brooklyn, we did a lot of day-dreamy thinking about how we’d want to live in our first house in this faraway town.
When people asked what we were doing, I’d say our renovation was like a twice-baked potato: we were scooping out the insides of the house, then restuffing it. This sounded clean and simple.
Room with a soon-to-be view—and roof—in August 2024. (Image by Victoria Pearson)
We labored over the budget, getting deep in the weeds of it, but it was all imagined spending and pretend work that lay ahead, ideas that I’d ruminate over at night in bed to soothe myself to sleep.
In March of 2024, demolition finally commenced. And my fantasies got a rude jolt once photos were emailed to us showing a barren interior with studs for walls and not much roof left. What would eventually be a kitchen was nothing more than a foundation. I sent photos to my friend Liz, who replied, “I like your open-air kitchen—that’ll be neat.”
To rebuild a house you must first… take it apart. (Images by Victoria Pearson)
Until demolition, we retained the option to decide that this Ojai fantasy had been a whim. We could have sold the property and walked away with a much sounder balance sheet for the years ahead.
As I looked at photos of our peek-a-boo house, reality rushed in. My dream of a creative refresh was now turning into stacked lumber, port-a-potties (ours was Fence Factory, which was disappointing, as port-a-potty names are almost always terrible puns), and a raging river of bills to pay. ...
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