One Pot One Portion

One weekly roundup #1

Hi team,

Happy Monday! I don’t normally do this but I thought I’d start a weekly roundup, recapping the recipes I’ve shared over the past couple of weeks (because lord knows the algorithm won’t show most people), as well as some favourites, maybe some of the other non-food bits and bobs I get up to in life that I don’t often share. What do you reckon? Sound ok? If you have any requests or suggestions for what you want more of from this then you just let me know!

New York

First things first, I’m hopping over the pond to the big apple in 3 weeks! I’m going for 2 reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, my cookbook is being published in the US and Canada and I have a couple of fun podcast/filming opportunities while I’m there because I am in fact *very busy and important* (hoping sarcasm comes across in writing because truly, what the heck is my life). Secondly, I had a British Airways companion voucher, usually meant for getting 2 for 1 flights, but which I used to get a half price solo trip so my flight was only £100! So a solo trip it is. How very on brand. Savouring solitude content incoming as is, hopefully, a very large NYC food tour. Should probably book a hotel though, or this trip could go south very quickly…

After my 2 reasons I now ask of you, 2 requests.

Firstly, please send me all of your New York suggestions! I’ve been a couple of times before so have done a lot of the classically touristy things so I’d love to know a few less well known tips or suggestions for things to do. And of course, if you have any food recommendations I beg you to share those too!

Secondly, if you live in either the US or Canada and are hoping to purchase my book when it’s released, I’d ask that you consider pre-ordering it instead. This not only guarantees you the best price and the earliest delivery date, but it also massively helps me as a debut author. Any support shown for the book at this stage is huge in helping it get seen by more people, which I would really like. I’m also slightly scared about the whole thing so any help in easing some pre-pub anxiety is received with a large sigh of relief and also a virtual hug.

Favourites

I know for many a new year starts with a resolution to perhaps watch less TV, but I’m actually resolved to do the opposite. Having a job that requires a lot of social media time means I frequently get stuck in a doom scroll, and whilst I shan’t berate myself for that, it is one of the reasons I am in search of more TV. When watching a truly gripping series I can’t scroll, I want to be fully absorbed in the story, transported for a moment away from the constant stream of, often work-related, thoughts that rarely leave my brain in peace. I thoroughly enjoyed Black Doves, and am currently on season 3 of Slow Horses which I also think is brilliant (have also had a long-term crush on Gary Oldman and whilst this show does conjure several question marks around that crush, I still love watching him on screen). What are your must-watch shows? I would truly love to know.

Speaking of crushes, I did have rather lovely plans this weekend with my actual crush (see also, boyfriend*) this weekend but those plans were cancelled for certain reasons meaning I had a last minute weekend to myself. I can’t lie, as someone who loves being busy, this made me a bit panicky at first. I made a couple of plans with friends but then realised that this was an opportunity to slooooow down a bit, enjoy my own company and do some of the things I never make time for. Like painting!

My sister is amazing at arts and crafts, and will almost always have a little project on the go. I’m envious of this (her skill number one, but also the time she makes in her own busy life to do these things. It’s so impressive, and she is so impressive), and asked her for a starter kit of supplies for Christmas so that I too, could craft and create. So last night I lit some candles, grabbed a blanket and sat down with a cup of tea, a couple of peanut butter cups (the pip & nut ones, wow, yum), put a film on and cracked open my new brushes.

I am not artist, but as someone who also wants to be good at everything I do, it was so nice to do something not for a purpose or for perfection, but just because! I could focus on the film while having my restless hands occupied not by my phone, but my figuring out new paints and brushes. Will the painting be displayed in a gallery? Lord, I hope not. But that was never the point. It was an evening for me, to prioritise the thing that always gets forgotten in favour of work, or doom scrolling. In the same way my recipes are designed to bring you as much joy in the creation as the eating, my Sunday evening painting did the same. I may even spend my Monday evening in the same way. What luxury.

Zooming in so you can’t judge me for my art skills

Recipes

The year started well, with my Tomato, Basil & Omelette Quesadilla followed swiftly by my Herby Chicken Meatball Brothy Pasta which is just to die for.

Then we have my Spiced Chickpea Noodle Soup, based on North African Harira.

I shared a collaboration with my accountant (much more fun than you might initially think) where we made my Sausage, Fennel & Chilli Pasta along with some top financial tips to be financially savvy this year. You can also win a copy of my cookbook and a free budgeting session with Richard if you comment on the video!

Finally, my Sausage, tortellini & kale soup- a quick, satisfying winter warmer that comes together in less than 20 minutes. Both this and the sausage pasta are recipes from my cookbook so if you want those (and you do, want those) then you know what to do!

You can also find the first meal plan of the year here! And if you upgrade to paid you also have access to all my previous meal plans, as well as this Smashed Chicken Bánh Mì Flatbread which is exclusively for meal plan subscribers and which I LOVE.

Coming soon to a platform near you…

Thoughts on a youtube cooking show?

The idea isn’t fully formulated yet, BUT, having not wanted to share longer form content ever before, I’m feeling a pull towards it. Cooking for one, always, but more chatty, more informative, more fun? I’m quite keen. What do you think?

Anyway, that’s all for this week!

Big love,

Eleanor x

*I’m hoping you aren’t too alarmed by this…I don’t tend to share people in my personal life on my socials because the internet is kinda scary but just a little note to say that yes, I still very much cook for one, spend most of my time alone and hope I can always make time to do things for myself that bring me joy. Also yay for me having a boyfriend, that’s fun isn’t it. x