officially on the hunt for new kitchenware

more to come

Feb 02, 2025

∙ Paid

Every week when I write my little blurb, I try to make the passage cohesive with the recipes shared, but this week, that’s out the window. Mostly because I have two very different topics I want to talk about, but also because the recipes I am sharing this week are extremely unrelated to one another.

Anyway, I’ve been in the market for some new plates, glassware, or really any unique kitchenware I come across. The idea of having plates and one-off glasses that match the vibe of a specific recipe has been playing on my mind, so I’m going to a secondhand vintage warehouse this weekend to explore. Awfully specific, but also entirely rewarding if I can conquer my vision.

Secondly, I’ve gotten some requests to share relatively simple, tasty, and durable lunch ideas for those on the go in the morning, at work, or at school. So, here’s my best advice on that front:

Some of these dishes may be a pantry cleanout if you haven’t gone to the grocery store yet or a mix of leftover ingredients from your fridge. But if you want to get a little more creative, some might need a quick trip to the store.

Wraps or sandwiches:

Buffalo - romaine, buffalo tofu, cucumbers, ranch dressing
Caesar - greens, crispy tofu, croutons/breadcrumbs, parm, caesar dressing
Chickpea tuna (recipe here) - tuna, celery, greens, plus any veggie on hand
Black bean wrap - black beans, rice/quinoa, pickled onions/cabbage, caramelized onions dressing of choice (i’d go for a sauce that creamy and has some spice)
Burrito - beans, rice, fajita veg, avocado

Bowls:

BBQ tempeh bowl - bbq tempeh, onions, pickles, sweet potato
Miso noodles - udon/rice noodles, tofu, carrots, edamame, miso soy dressing
Falafel bowl - falafel, pickles, cucumber, hummus
Dumpling bowl listed below!

Miscellaneous:

Stuffed sweet potato - crispy chickpeas/crispy lentils, onion, creamy dressing of choice or tahini
Orzo greek salad - orzo, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, chickpeas, greek dressing
Summer rolls - peppers, tofu strips, avocado cucumber, peanut sauce
Taquitos - beans, cheese, onions, chorizo
Lemon couscous - couscous, tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, lemon dill sauce

Kitchen tools and treasures:

Trader joe’s matcha:

Okay, if you’re not the biggest matcha connoisseur and are looking for a reasonable brand, I recently came across Trader Joe’s matcha – the single-serve packets specifically – and I genuinely think it’s very good. The packets are portioned out perfectly and have the perfect color and taste of a reputable matcha brand. 10/10.

Insulated mugs:

Considering I’m sharing a new matcha discovery, I wanted to let you in on a little hack. This might not be new to most, but for me, I’ve become attached to using an insulated coffee mug in the mornings. The reason? I can't drink anything unless it’s scalding hot, and the only way it stays warm—without microwaving it every 3 minutes—is with an insulated mug. Honestly, any brand works, but here are a few cute ones I came across.

~this week’s preview~