My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #25 Yuko (Manhattan, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Yuko:
I thought about a few things. One is a jar of sun dried tomatoes. I got addicted after my trip to Malta last summer. Another, maybe more fun is a small Turkish Coffee maker. I learned how to make the coffee in Egypt recently. I didn’t drink coffee for a long time, but I restarted it as a mini morning ritual. I can’t drink a lot of coffee, so I only make one cup in the morning. 

Me:
Turkish coffee! This coffee pot is really beautiful. I like the design on the handle and shiny copper body.
I actually don’t know how to make Turkish coffee. How different from the regular coffee? 

Yuko:
Well, I didn’t really drink coffee till I got hooked to what Egyptians call “French Coffee” in Cairo, right before COVID19 quarantine started. I was there in early March. 

I am not a specialist, but Turkish coffee is made of almost powder like ultra ground coffee (and sugar) prepared directly in the one person size pot like this one. Coffee powder is in the cup you drink out of. “French Coffee” is Turkish coffee prepared with milk. It taste like coffee milk you had as a kid, but, like the better kind. 

You can find multiple ways of preparing and serving Turkish coffee on YouTube. Very simple, but you need to learn it because it is very different from how we prepare coffee in this part of the world.

For those of us who are not used to drinking Turkish coffee, the key is to wait a bit till the powder sinks down to the bottom. It’s a common sense for those who are used to drinking Turkish coffee, but we don’t know! 

Me:
Wow that sounds delicious.
How did you learn how to make this? 

Yuko:
I asked my Egyptian friends, then watched a few different YouTube videos. I went with the one where Egyptian grandma explain it to us. It looks like Egyptian way of preparing is a bit different from Turkish way. But there may be multiple different ways. (Turkish coffee videos I saw all put coffee in cold water from the start, the one I watched from Egypt put the coffee powder into the already boiling water. I am not used to taking too much coffee, so the Turkish version seems too strong for me.)

Me:
I do want to try Egyptian grandma way of making coffee! Can we find those special pot and Turkish coffee in NY?

Yuko:
I brought one from Egypt, but it was too small, and dangerous to use in my big American stovetop. It was actually not hard to find at all. There is an Arabic deli Samad's Gourmet on the block where I live. They had like 10 different ones. This was the prettiest. 

Turkish coffee is ground to the max, it has the texture of flour. I guess we can ground the coffee ourselves. But many coffee sellers have Turkish ground, or specialty stores must be able to ground it for us. And there is always internet. 

Samad’s Gourmet is closed right now, but I will go ask them when they are open again. 

Me:
That will be one of the place I will go once the quarantine is over!
Egypt is one of the place I dream to go as a child. I was so into “Ookeno-monsyo” (Japanese syojo comic about Egypt). Would you give me a one spot you recommend for us to go in Egypt?

Yuko:
Local artist friends took me on an overnight trip from Cairo to a small pottery artisan village called Tunis. It is gorgeous there with flowers and lush greens everywhere. From there, we took a full day trip to the Sahara. There is an area in the middle of the desert where they find fossilized ancient whales. You can only get there with experienced 4 wheel driver.  They are so old and they have legs! They preserved some in the place where they found them, and you can walk around and see the fossil legged whales in the middle of nowhere surrounded by sand. it’s very poetic. 

It’s a pottery village, so it’s perfect for you. You should go. Or we go there together when all this madness is over!

Me:
It is perfect for me!!! Yes let’s go together.
Sounds like a painting how you are describing this place!
How is bear doing with the quarantine?

Yuko:
He got use to staying home. He misses neighbors at the studio, but he won’t complain because momma is always home!

Me:
:) Bear and his momma :) Cute Bear photos attached on the bottom!

Thank you so much Yuko for the interview!!!
I wanted to share Yuko’s illustration she did last week for NYTimes. 17 illustrators quarantined in New York and were asked by NYTimes to draw outside the window. I think it’s a super interesting project. We get to see all the artists windows and their views.
Here is Yuko’s:

I am facing Columbia University office. So for the last one month, I am just staring at an empty building. It’s so quiet here in my apartment, I can’t believe I live in Manhattan. (By Yuko Shimizu)

Bear :)

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #24 Alfonso (Mexico City, Mexico)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Alfonso:
When I heard about the quarantine the first things that I bought were the ingredients I use for breakfast:)
Bananas
Oats
Cocoa nibs
Hazelnuts
Almonds
Shredded coconut
I’ve been making oat milk myself so those ingredients + water have me going every morning.

Me:
Wait! Are you making oat milk? I didn’t know we can make it at home. I drink so much oat milk… I should start making my own.

Alfonso:
Yes! It’s one of my fairly new hobbies and it’s super super easy to make.
AND it’s delicious! It tastes better cause it’s your creation :)
Here is the direction:
It’s super easy! You get your blender and throw in 1 cup of rolled oats, 4 cups of water,
blend it for about a min and then strain it with a cheesecloth or you can also use a t-shirts.
That’s it!
Put the milk in a jar and throw it in your refrigerator.
It last for around 4-5 days. It will probably separate that’s ok, just give it a good shake before drinking it.
That’s the basic but I like adding 2dates to the blend to sweeten it.
I’ve also added coconut and macadamia nut and it tasetes great.

Also you can save the pulp you get when you strain it, throw it in the freezer and when you hae enough you can use it like flour to make banana bread or cookies.

Me:
Thank you sooooo much Alfonso. This sounds delicious! And I like the fact you don’t waste anything. sounds good making cookies or banana bread after making the milk!

Alfonso is super talented illustrator and he has a domestika class to make zine and small press:)
Are you thinking of taking some creative class?
Her is the link ;)
https://www.domestika.org/es/courses/927-laboratorio-de-fanzines-y-autopublication/deandaalfonso

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #23 Kim (Manhattan, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list? 

Kim:
I have so many necessities though!  Haha But I do have one that is most important. And I just got a big bag of it delivered. It's Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food for Lucia! 

Me:
Oh so sweet :) Is that Lucia’s favorite food?

Kim:
This is Lucia’s favorite food and what she has eaten throughout her long life. . When I open a fresh bag of Royal Canin Maine Coon she will start talking immediately.

Me:
Does she have any favorite food? 

Kim:
She eats canned food in the evening that I need to put some medicine in because she is a senior kitty. She also adores Temptations treats which she eats out of my hand one piece at a time.

Me:
Does she eat human food?

Kim:
She does not like people food at all. I was really in a panic about getting her a new bag of this food. I usually order from Chewy because it’s so hard to find this brand in my neighborhood. They usually deliver the next day. But they were very backed up with everyone ordering so I had to wait about 10 days to get this delivered.

Me:
Oh my! I’m glad you found it. Otherwise Lucia can get really mad dropping all your favorite ceramic plates off your table. Haha
How old is she? Will you tell me a bit about her?

Kim:
Lucia was born on November 28, 2005, so she is about 14 1/2 years old. She shares a Birthday with my mother. Her nickname is Cheech and she has her own instagram account @luciathecheech.

Me:
I must ask this, I feel like now all the human stay inside all the animal friends seems so happy.
Is she happy now that you are home all the time?

Kim:
She really loves having her full human staff home all day every day to tend to her every need but truth be told she sleeps an awful lot. ️

Me:
Awwwww so sweet.
Thank you so much for the interview kim!
I want to share Lucia’s photo here. so pretty :)
And you can follow her on instagram: @luciathecheech

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #22 Yohey (Queens, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Yohey:
 The top of my list has always been a BOXED WINE, to be specific, BOTA BOX Cabernet. Coz you know why? It's a dollar cheaper than Black Box Wine. 

Me:
Haha good answer!
Ohhhh this makes me want to go get some wine.  Did you get to buy more for the next shopping outing?

Yohey:
Yup. I literally just came back from a local liquor store. I think this is my 7th boxed wine... I think my blood is turning into wine.

Me:
7!!!! You can soon be able to build your own castle with them!
I know you are a cooking queen. Any new experiment?

Yohey:
New experiment, yes! I bought some canned foods in the name of self-quarantine! I had never really tried any of those before, but now I realized that some of them are so damn good lol. Have you ever tried Japanese canned mackerel in sweet miso sauce!? It gave me a serious food orgasm.

Me:
Ha! I have tried them before. Ah, I wish I have a Japanese grocery store so I can grab some of those.
Have you done drink night with your friends with video chats?

Yohey:
Yes, and I love it coz all I need to do is just wear comfortable pjs and sip my wine until I pass out in my own bedroom!! When are we having a kiki, Aya??

Me:
Haha, yes I love it how casual it is, too. Ok let’s have a kiki this week :)
Thank you so much for the interview Yohey!!!

I really love what Yohey has been doing these days but this illustration especially resonated with me I wanted to share. It’s about moving the studio back to home because of the situation now.
I really miss my ceramic studio…
You can see more of his work at https://www.instagram.com/yoheyhorishita/

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #21 Deepti (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Deepti:
I actually have a couple of items on my grocery list (all from the Indian store, haha) - Maggi instant noodles, mango pickle, and this snack called aloo bhujia. Let me send you pictures for all three of them! 

Me:
Oh this is exciting. I really like the packaging on aloo bhujia. Did you have this snack growing up? 

Deepti:
I did have this snack growing up! I would say it's definitely more of a comfort food. And yes, it's very popular in India! You should be able to find it in any Indian grocery store in the US. Haldiram's makes a lot of other snacks too, but the aloo bhujia is definitely one of the best things they make. It's super yummy and irresistible. I'm surprised I managed to make it last as long as I did (I thought I would finish it in 3-4 days, but it lasted almost 2 weeks!). 

Me:
Ohhh I can’t wait to be able to go to Indian grocery and find this.
I want to ask more about snacks lol. What is your favorite snacks?

Deepti:
Oh man. I have so many favorite snacks. One of the things I miss the most from home is how many savory snacks we have in India. From the Indian snacks, my favorites are aloo bhujia, ribbon pakodas, jackfruit chips, vada pav, pani puri, bhel puri, medu vada and so many others! Some of my favorite snacks after coming to the US are a lot of things from Trader Joe's, haha. I love their Omega trek mix, the sweet plantain chips, white cheddar puffs, salt and pepper potato chips, and the orange cranberry scones (they are to die for!). 

Me:
Wow wow. I can only imagine the Jackfruit chips and it sounds good. The others I have to find it at the store and try!
Are you cooking more food at home?  I always find it Indian food is very elaborate and takes long time.  Is there any quick food to make for suggestion?

Deepti:
I've always liked cooking, but yes, I think I'm cooking a bit more than I used to now. There's definitely a lot of elaborate Indian food, but the base of a lot of recipes is similar. Once you've gotten more familiar with the flavors and spices, I think it gets easier. I would recommend trying to make either adai or pesarattu. They are lentil and rice based savory crepes that are made in South India. You should be able to find a recipe online and find all the ingredients in an Indian store. They're pretty simple to make too. I was teaching my American roommate how to make them the other day! 

Me:
I just google them! They look delicious.
Thank you so much Deepti!!! It was truly delicious conversation ;)

I’m attaching some of Deepti’s artworks. They are uplifting and always brings me joy!
You can follow her at instagram @deeptisunder

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #20 Diana (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Diana:
My hoarding ways have prepared me well for this crisis lol, so the top things on my essentials list remain relatively the same as in my daily life: eggs, frozen veggies, frozen dumplings (a must!!), oatmeal, and canned fish (my favorite is fried dace).

One thing I was less prepared about was restocking baking ingredients. So I recently ordered 50 lbs of flour and 50 lbs of sugar, as well as a big bag of bittersweet chocolate! I think once I get a large amount of butter, I will be set for all the baking orders to come :D

Me:
YES! Your cookie business!!! Let me ask about that in a bit.
First I want to ask you about this fish can which I have never seen it before. Is this like a canes sardine? Does this have a unique seasoning?

Diana:
Sort of, except with a different sauce. The kind I like is doused in fermented black beans and oil. It's super salty, delicious, and instantly transports me to my childhood.

Me:
Mmmm sounds so good. Does your cat go crazy when you open the can? Lol

Diana:
Haha she does when I'm opening it, and then gives me a dirty look when I let her sniff the can :)

Me:
How do you usually eat this?

Diana:
It is best eaten with rice! I even save the oil and black beans for future meals. Recently I tried it on top of grits and that was pretty delish. If I'm being really good, I'll have it over riced cauliflower, but it's definitely not as satisfying. 

Me:
I am voting for white rice! It sounds really good!
Ok I HAVE to ask you for your cookie subscription business? I think it’s the best subscription I have ever heard. ( I actually subscribed right when I saw about it on Diana’s instagram!)
How did you start backing Diana?

Diana:
From Here to Sunday (Diana’s store front in Gowanus, Brooklyn) actually began with baking. After I left a full-time job in early 2016, I had much more time to play, so I started to experiment. That summer, I was working at Tom Sach's Bodega at the Brooklyn Museum, so I would bring extras to share. A co-worker suggested that I should start selling out of the Bodega, so I paired baked goods with zines by artist/printmaker Todd Irwin, and voila! From Here to Sunday was born :)

The Taster's Club Cookie Subscription started with a similar premise. I used to sell cookies along with other art goods at pop-ups, or I would try a new recipe, but I'd end up with a lot of extras. I didn't want to throw them out, so I started offering the cookie subscription as a solution. It started slowly with friends joining as a way to support the growing business. Now I actually bake specifically for the subscribers (although they still get extras when there are some.)

Me:
Yum Yum Yum! I can’t wait to get my first cookie box!
And here is a very important announcement:
From Here to Sunday is currently offering Mini Cookie Care Packages for frontline worker friends. Each package includes 6 cookies and a custom handwritten note. Pay-what-you-wish to @heretosunday on Venmo with an email address to order. Suggested donation is $10 to cover shipping & handling.
I love this idea so so much.
If you have a friend in frontline please do send them a cookie package :)

Have you been cheering 7pm everyday?

————————————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #19 Catherine (Manhattan, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Catherine:
Pink roses. I am looking at them now.  they make me so happy!!

Me:
Oh I love that! That's such a great answer.  I haven't thought about getting a flowers!!! I always see your beautiful ikebana photos on social media, when did you start?

Catherine:
About three years ago. It just sort of happened I didn’t plan it. I’ve always loved making flower arrangements but I got interested in approaching that in a different way. In other words, not just putting flowers in a vase like a bouquet. I have been gardening as a volunteer in riverside park for many years, and also have a plot in a community garden nearby. I love using herbs, vegetables, discarded plants, weeds. Anything to create interesting textures and unexpected combinations. 

Me:
Wow that's amazing.  I would love to visit your community garden.  It must be so beautiful now that spring is here.  Ikebana feels so hard to do. Did you go to school for it?

Catherine:
No I didn’t. I didn’t even want to look at other ikebana for fear of being influenced. Because I was really exploring something new to me. I studied Fine Art and Illustration. Once you have an artist’s eye and training you can apply it anywhere. 

Me:
That's true, classical training can give people a limitation.  So your ikebana really come from inside of you! Impressive.   I also love the vases and pottery you put those flowers in. Do you have a collection? 

Catherine:
Oh yes! That too grew out of my desire to have a variety of vessels to use, and then I got a bit carried away. I have al lot of pottery including mid century modern, vintage studio pottery, some Japanese ikebana pottery, Italian and lots of American regional pottery.

Me:
Nice.  I do enjoy every time you post your ikebana.  Because it's always really different and nothing I have ever seen before.  What flowers, vegetables, plants do you like working with when you are making ikebana?

Catherine:
I like to use elements that don’t normally go together. For example common weeds with cultivated flowers, old overgrown radishes I find in the community garden, plants that have been uprooted and thrown out. I like using roots, rocks, sticks, sometimes fruit and houseplants.          

Me:
Oh that reminds me of the word "wabi-sabi" in Japanese. Appreciation and beauty of imperfections .  Where does the inspiration come from?

Catherine: Everywhere. I really have a voracious eye and see ikebana materials wherever I go. So in the park, the garden, the grocery store, the farmers market. I once used nopal which is a popular edible cactus in my neighborhood. I plan on using some weeds next that are  popping up all over the place now- giant wild rhubarb, dandelions and curly dock. My husband goes crazy every time I go out for a walk I come home with bags of vines, branches, seedpods , whatever I can find. 

Me:
Ha! That's really cool though. Go out empty handed and come back with bunch of nature in the bag :) Thank you so much Catherine for this interview. And I wanted to share a photo of her newest creation! She made this ikebana for this interview. I am so impressed and happy. I love it so much!!!

Hyacinth, oak leaf hydrangea leaves, green hellebores, NYC stones.

instagram: @catherine.lazure     follow her ikebana posts here: #catherinesikebana


————————————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #18 Pierre and Alexis (Montpellier, France)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Pierre + Alexis:

It’s rice from Camargue Area , you reminder Arles city and the gypsy King :-))))) ahahahahah, so much fun we had for spring time all together ++

The rice is produce and packed by my Aunty, in Saint-Gilles ( Gard ) it is the village where I grow up ( pierre ) <3

Here is a little music mix that you can enjoy while painting : https://soundcloud.com/pocket_of_light/balearic-confinement-probably-sean-and-norm-from-bayete

Me:
Thank you!!!! I love the music mix!
Wow this rice is made by your Aunty!!!  I love the bright packaging and looks so yummy. 
What is your favorite dish you make with this rice?

Pierre + Alexis:
We often like to cook: Green Swiss Chard with / onion / garlic / parsley and olive oil, over rice!

 
Me:
Yummmmmm.  Can you share a little recipe?

Pierre + Alexis:
We simply cook it on the pan. We make the Mediterranean flavor by adding some lemon juice and herbs de Provence.

But you can create you own taste, it works very well with soy sauce for example!

First, you cut the onion, garlic, and chard. (For the chard, you cut the leaf and also the rod, but separately. First, removed the old filaments from the chard rod with your knife, and than chop it all ! )

Put the onion and garlic first, in hot olive oil on the pan, and then, when it start to roasted, add the chard and an glass of water and cover it up, until it’s cook. It is also the moment you put the taste. So for us, we add the lemon juice, and herbs of Provence.

While this is cooking. Cook the rice on the side. Once, it is finish, served the plate, with chard over the rice and add the parsley, and salt!

Voilà, Bonne Appétite!!!! 

Me:
Thank you for sharing the recipe! I would definitely try that since I’m getting so bored with my cooking.

I know you both are so creative.  What have you been up to?  Are you making something?

Pierre + Alexis:
Yes, since the quarantine started, we have been making masks for the Red Cross association and also for our neighbors. There is not enough masks for everybody, so everyone has to participate.

We have made the masks with the material we add in stock at the studio, so the mask are all different, and to make them more enjoyable, we try to add a carnival looks to its :-)

Other wise, we are working on an audio podcast to present a scenography we have made for a contemporary art show call « Mecaro » at Mo.Co. Hôtel des collections Art center in Montpellier. Of course the show is closed for the moment, but hopefully will open again this summer ++ The podcast will be on air the museum's social network next week-end, hopefully :-)

We had a very good time working with artist originally from the amazonian basin. Especially, Sol Calero, that I am sure you will enjoy her work ! 

Link to Sol Calero:
http://solcalero.com 

Link toMo.Co. Hôtel des collections Art center:
https://www.moco.art/en/exposition/mecaro-amazonia-petitgas-collection-0 

Here are some pictures of the scenography :

Credit for the pictures/Marc Domage

Credit for the pictures/ Marc Domage

Credit for the pictures/ Laurent Villarem

Me: Thank you so much Pierre and Alexis!
That’s great you have been making masks for the Red Cross, and sounds like one of a kind fun masks :) I love that.  Thank you for sharing Sol Calero work, I just visited the website and wow I’m so inspired!
I’m looking forward hearing your podcast! Even though I probably won’t understand much because it will be in French but it will be so nice to hear your voice! 

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #17 Francois (Paris, France)

Me:

What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Francois:

The first thing I bought was a carton of 20 packs of menthol cigarettes… Twenty lucky strike menthols made me feel instantly safer.  I wanted a diet in touch with the changing of the seasons: mint flavor is super springy.

But then the next day, I decided that quarantine was the perfect time to stop smoking. No social smoking equals less temptation. And also, with better lungs now, I was lowering the risks of complications if I ever caught the Rona. So, I bought my own « quit smoking package » made of nicotine gums and patches. And so far, so good: not one cigarette since March 17th (the beginning of quarantine in France).

Me:

Aw this is funny.  Yes I have heard that smoker is not good with this virus. 

And I love that idea of quitting something using this confinement time.

I wanted to quit social media for sometimes... but I guess I'm not doing a good job at all during this.  But maybe that's something I should think about!

Francois:

I understand! I wanted to also. Unfortunately, I was sucked back in by friends’ invites to Netflix Party movie nights, drinking games on the app Houseparty …and the discovery of Ina Garten’s giant quarantini. I needed to know the recipe!

Me:

Haha I want a massive cosmopolitan now! And what else was on your quarantine list?

Francois:

A new box of ODEFSEY was also on top of my list. It’s my HIV treatment. I wanted to have some medication in case there were a shortage of the production of the drug. Realness diet is sexy.

Me:

Oh my mom, too! She has a health condition so her doctor filled 3 months of medication so she doesn't have to go to the hospital for a while. I think that was a good move. I'm glad you got the extra. Any food items?

Francois:

I got a couple bottles of bubbly because if you’re locked up in your apartment, you need to feel that life is still worth living. And sparkling wine definitely does that for me. I wanted to still have a positive and gay regimen, so I opted for Crémant de Bourgogne, a wine similar to champagne. But champagne felt a tad too festive for these circumstances. I also purchased coffee capsules because I’m French. And addicted to caffeine. But don’t you judge me! Coffee capsules can be recycled now over here.  Well I do feel guilty using these wasteful pods. But if the virus takes me away, I’ll be leaving this world as a honest weak person who spoke the truth about their diet. Then I purchased eggs as I love making quiches! And I got some bananas because one fruit a day keeps the virus away? The phallic form is a decent visual stimulus for my confinement sex life. Soymilk was also on my pandemic shopping list because let’s give the cows a rest during these stressful times. Everyone needs a break. Let’s not forget canned food of spinach, eggplants and lentils. Don’t believe I buy these because of the quarantine. These are part of my ordinary shopping list. Yeah I have a solid track record as a lazy cook. Can France revoke my nationality because of these? We’ll find out!

Me:

Thank you so much for the full lists Francois!!! I love your honesty always ;) And it was fun to read all your decision making!

 Great idea on giving cows a rest in this stressful time, I'm really into oat milk now.  I think it's as delicious as cow milk.  

 Did you hear the tiger from Bronx zoo got the coronavirus?  I hope the farm animals will be safe, they are much closer to humans. I'm still puzzled over this tiger case. 

Francois:
Poor thing… Another good reason to let animals live in the wild so that they can develop stronger antibodies against viruses in their native ecosystem and among their own species.

Me:
I'm posting a photo of Francois and his bestie Kiki having a dress up video chat party from Paris and New York. It's hard to socialize these days but it is good to be connected.  

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #16 Cécile (Saint Vincent de Tyrosse, France)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Cécile:
The food I really need for now are mandarine and chocolate . Seb always compare me as the Russian character Cheburashka who loves mandarin :) 

Me:
OMG! I LOVE CHEBURASHKA! (If you don’t know it’s a character from Russian children’s book! He arrives to Russia in Orange crate. I’m attaching the video from the Cheburashka stop-motion animation below ;))

(week later)
Cécile:
I love your painting so much , so I made one inspired by your painting.

Me:
WOW WOW this is the best!!! Thank you for making this painting Cécile! ( you can see more of her art here —->https://www.instagram.com/ciou_inhel)
How is Iggy doing? (Iggy is Cécile’s sweet sweet doggie)

Cécile:
Sure, I made picture with Iggy and mandarin , he loves also to eat them very much .Of course  He was happy to have extra food and made beautiful pictures.

Me:
Awww. Iggy eating mandarin! So cute.
Cécile, I know you have a great toy collection. Do you have Cheburashka in your collection?

Cécile:
I have Cheburashka toys and stationery too in my collection . I also have a Japanese book about Cheburashka creator , stories ,ect ......

Me:
Thank you so much for the interview Cécile!!!

I’m sharing photos of Cécile’s toy collection here because it makes me so happy :)
Talking about being cozy at home. Her home is so cozy with those collections!

Here is Cheburashka’s video :)

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #15 Wendy (LIC, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Wendy:
Mine were eggs and fruits ( mandarins for vitamin C and bananas & mix berries to freeze for morning smoothies)

Me:
Hmmmm breakfast food! What is your favorite dish you make with eggs?

Wendy:
wooo, this is a tough one. Actually, I bought eggs because Kuni's (Wendy’s partner) loves eggs. His favorite dish is eggs and ham scrambled.

Me:
Yummm. Can you share a recipe with me?

Wendi:
1. 2 eggs beaten with a little bit of salt.
2. Cut ham in to small pieces and saute them in a heated pan with olive oil until soften.
3. Add eggs into the pan and stir until eggs are set but not dry.
4. Then sprinkle some black peppers. I sometimes add cheese to it as well. :)

Me:
Cooking everyday is hard but I think you are doing great!
How are you managing making three meals a day? Any tips?

Wendi:
I just cook a big batch of food/sauces that freeze well. For example: spaghetti meat sauce and curry. And I divide them in little bags and freeze them, and just heat them up when I need.  I mainly made many different kind of sauces, so I can easily turn them into different dishes.

Me:
So smart!!! I should do that, too!!!
Lastly can you share a photo of chapeau? (Wendy’s cute cat!)

Wendi:
Yes. Of course.

Me:
Thank you Wendy. Awwwww I wish I have a cat friend at home. So cute :)
Wendy is a great photographer and she has been taking NYC photos in recent days.
If you are not in NYC or living in NYC it’s good to see the series how our city is right now…
I will share some here but you can see the whole collections on
her instagram—-> https://www.instagram.com/shihwenlin

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #14 Whitney (Baltimore,MD)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Whitney:
For me it is crunchy foods like crisp apples, celery, carrots. chips. crackers.
Te fruit and veg are better for you obviously but I do like a crispy cracker!
Apples are really versatile for dipping into hummus or peanut butter (Crunchy please!). Hope you are doing well!

Me:
Crunchy food! Fun! What is your most favorite crunchy food?

Whitney:
My ‘most’ favorite crunchy food is an apple! I love crackers but I’m trying to be good/better with my choices. Tops I can only eat 2 apples but can go thru a box of crackers in one evening, especially crostini (or a better worse choice is Cheetos Extra Baked.)

Me:
Oh I love Crostini, too.
Thank you Whitney! I love the idea about dipping apple in peanut butter :) Yummmmm. My shopping list for next week has peanut butter on it ( thanks to Sara!!!) so I can make that happen next week!

I wanted to share this video of Whitney’s creation and studio! I love watching this video and see her process. Since we are all stuck at home this video is a nice way to visit artist friend’s studio :)

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- # 13 Alejandro (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Ale:
My top top thing i needed to get was coffee. I bought a fancy bag from Joe's coffee ( you might as well be fancy when you have to stay in am I right??), but i usually drink this one from trader joes which is also good.  Also Mandus, I loves these.  They sell them at H mart and asian supermarket.  

What I really really wish i grabbed where trader joe soft cookies. Either the chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. 

Me:
Me, too!!! I got some fancy coffee from my neighborhood. (which was a great idea being stuck to have this!)
I got 3 different flavors from Partners coffee. I thought it’s silly to get 3 bags! But now… I’m happy I got 3…

Ale:
haha I needed to double. up on coffee since I drink so much of it. 

(one week later)
Me:
Did you get the cookies for the second run?

Ale:
No :(. I pretty much haven't left my house for the last 2 weeks. My friend gave me a cookie recipe that I might try making. I need to see if I have all the ingredients. I even contemplating buying cookies from one of my student. She posted on her Instagram story about baking and shipping cookies haha.

Me:
You mention you drink a lot of coffee. Are you drinking more since you are at home? 

Ale:
Yes, I try to limit myself to just 2 cups max a day. I need to reserve this can of coffee for the next month. But I also have another can of not so great coffee if I run out. 

Me:
I know you do compost and have a little garden. Will you share? I think we all need a little bit of tip on growing things, maybe it’s a great time to start kitchen/fire-escape garden!

Ale:
Here are some photos of my gardening adventure from the last few days!

1. I cleared the beds and added fresh compost. I'm currently growing shanghai bok choy and purple bokchoy. I built a little hoop house to keep it a bit warmer.

2. I was digging up some compost to check on the worms and found a kale plant growing from a kale stump! Planted it and see if it'll grow again

3. Here are some garlic plants I planted back in November. They'll be ready in July.

4. Since people have been regrowing scallion in water, here are some scallions growing in dirt. ( everyone should do this instead)

5. These trays along the perimeter are strawberry plants. There's over 20 plants in the backyard. Probably by May, they will start to fruit.

Ale:
I'm also growing Japanese purple mustard greens. Never had them will give it a try. And some beets! Everything is just started and maybe in a few weeks it'll actually be something

Me:
Wow wow! Thank you for sharing Ale!!!
I can definitely start the scallion!
Ale is doing “food I miss” on his Instagram. It’s both funny and yummy.
Check it out—-> https://www.instagram.com/achenli

Here are some here!

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #12 Yunmee (Peekskill, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Yunmee:
The items on the top of the list were milk (whole milk) and coffee beans.
We already had a big bag of sticky rice at home so I was relieved.

Me:
Coffee was essential for me, too!!!
Do you have a favorite brand?

Yunmee:
I like Peekskill coffeeshop beans, Grumpy, and Stumptown coffee.
Peekskill beans were sold out at the time and I ordered Stumptown.

Me:
Did your coffee time routine change since you are at home all the time?

Yunmee:
My coffee routine is pretty much the same. One in the morning and one in the later afternoon. I insert numerous milk tea and green tea breaks along my day.

Me:
Ha! Your routine sounds so similar. Me, too. Coffee two times a day morning and afternoon. And milk tea and green tea through out the day :)

(A week later)
Me:
Did you get to buy your favorite Peekskill coffee on a recent shopping run?

Yunmee:
I am planning to order online or pick up some bags since they are open only for take out.

Me:
Can you share a photo of your art or your garden?

Yunmee:
I am sending you a view from my window and papier-mache animals. I love watching clouds and the two spruce trees in my neighbor's yard.

Me:
Thank you Yunmee!!!!
Here is Yunmee’s papier-mache animals which I LOVE!
I wish I can live inside of her imaginary world.
And the beautiful photo of her window.

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #11 Choi (Fremont , CA)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?


Choi:
I've been meaning to go out to the grocery store but kept on putting off.
Need rice and olive oil. I guess olive oil is not a necessity? 
but if I don't have it around it's noticeable? haha

Me:
Yes I think Olive Oil is essential!
You are such a great cook. Will you share what you have been making with the olive oil?

Choi:
I use olive oil to stir fry onions and meat when I'm making japanese curry and shrimp pasta.
I actually have been making chicken curry with S&B curry these days.  This one is my go to. I even add a bayleaf in there when I'm cooking/ boiling veggies before I add the curry in.

Me:
Bayleaf!
I have never even thought about that. That’s a great tip ;)
Thank you Choi!

I am adding some of Choi’s recipes here.
You can get the full recipes books here —-> porkbellycomics.com

Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #10 Marie (Paris, France)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Marie:
My 2 essential things I couldn't live with are a good whole wheat bread and some salted butter!!

Me:
OMG. Butter in France is sooooo goood! I remember I was putting butter on everything in Paris and I also love the packaging.
What’s your favorite way to use butter?

Marie:
My favorite way is on bread that I toast beforehand!
I couldn't live without a toaster for that reason.

Me:
How long one pack of butter last?

Marie:
A pack of butter usually last for 3 weeks I would say!

Me:
I love the series you started “How to be happy at home” Can I share them here?

Marie:
Of course, thank you for that!! I will post a new one today and hopefully another one tomorrow!
It took me a while to come with the all concept but now I gathered a lot of ideas so it should come up more quickly.... I hope!!

Me:
You can see more of Marie’s “How to be happy at home” series on Instagram @marieassenat

And here are some! Thank you Marie!!!!

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #9 Isabel (LIC, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Isabel:
Our pantry on a normal day is stuffed with essentials (flour, beans, chocolate, whiskey, gin) because I hate to be hungry (or thirsty), so when the quarantine order was issued, I went for things I couldn't (shouldn't?) make at home: CHIPPY. A bbq corn chip snack from the Philippines. At the Filipino store near my home, it had sold out before the fresh eggs. #nationalpriorities

Me:
That’s a great idea, I didn’t think about getting things I couldn’t make at home! And I’ve never had CHIPPY!
How did you discover this chips?

Isabel:
It is very tasty :) As soon as this pandemic subsides I will bring some to share. I can't recall the first time I ever had them...though I am sure it was a stolen handful from one of my older siblings.

Aya:
Hahaha.
Have you ever tried another flavors?

Isabel:
I have not tried other flavors. If Chippy (original flavor) were unavailable, I have a set hierarchy for my Filipino junk food and I would just go down the line: 

Chippy
Boy Bawang (Garlic Corn nuts)
Oishi* (Prawn Crackers)
VCut, 
Kirei* (Prawn Crackers)

*Japan was a big trend in the Philippines in the 70's so a Filipino-Chinese company created “Japanese” snacks, but these are local brands.

Aya: Thank you Isabel!
Yummmm I LOVE Prawn Crackers. Once this quarantine is over we have to have our favorite snack party!

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #8 Lauren (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Lauren:
That's tricky. I don't always write shopping lists, and my shopping didn't coincide with being told I needed to shelter in place but with the sense that that might happen.

On March 12th I did a regular shopping run for a few items, and the next day I realized I'd forgotten to get sugar. The next night I went to get sugar and mirepoix (carrots, onions, and celery) so I could make lentil soup. I wanted to get red lentils too, but the store was out. People were panic buying, and there was line wrapping around the store, which lead me to acquire more than I originally intended, including tempeh bacon, popping corn, orange juice, rice cakes, my favorite tea (Yogi tea's Throat Comfort), and Teff flour, which I've been meaning to test out.I got red lentils the next day.I did smaller more focused shops early last week: coffee beans (Gimme! Coffee's Leftist and Rally are the current names of the blends I buy), coffee filters (Melitta No. 2), nutritional yeast (Bragg), cans of chickpeas, olive oil (Filipo Berrio extra light tasting), and a loaf of bread.

Aya:
I decided to paint the nutritional yeast because it was the most mysterious item for me.  Can you tell me what it is, how it taste and how you use it?

Lauren:
Nutritional Yeast is a deactivated yeast, generally sold in flake form. It's a complete protein, and most manufacturers add vitamins to it to add to it being a useful ingredient for folks with vegan and vegetarian diets. It tastes nutty and cheesy, often used as a cheese substitute. I use it on pasta, as part of vegan pesto sauce, on popcorn, or sprinkled over salads or sometimes even in sandwiches.

Aya:
Do you think I can share a photo of your puppets friends? How they are doing at home these days??

Lauren:
Yes, of course, you can share a photo of the puppets. They are okay. I haven't told them about the pandemic, but they know something is different. More noises coming from the apartments around us throughout the day, and a little more anxiety in the air. Two of them joined me for last week's faculty meeting, so I suspect they have likely figured it all out.

Aya:
Thank you Lauren!!!!!
Here is the photo of Lauren’s puppet friends!

———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #7 Abby and James (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Abby and James:
Shin Ramyun, Spam, frozen mix veggies, tomato can, and Sea Salt Caramel Gelato.

Me:
When you said Shin Ramyun and Span, I was sure it was your shopping list James! Not Abby’s haha.

Abby and James:

Hahaha, Abby and I are healthy eaters but we love our comfort food. It feels like having dessert for a meal.

Me: How do you prepare Shin Ramyun?

Abby and James:
This Korean Ramen is spicy in the right way and Abby will add either tofu, fish balls, dumplings, greens, mushrooms, seaweed, or a combination depending what we have in the fridge. 

Me: How about Spam?

Abby and James:
With Spam, our new favorite thing is a giant spam and  origini and add pickles or shiso leafs. We first had this in Fukuoka and it was heaven on earth.

Whenever Abby makes either of these, I scream like a 5 year old and run to the table.

Me:
Hahaha! Thank you Jame and Abby!!!
I am imagining you James screaming like 5 year old running to the table and that totally made my day :)

————————————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!

My friend's quarantine shopping list ---- #6 Kelsey (Brooklyn, NY)

Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?

Kelsey:
I am really terrible with shopping lists.
I went to market last Monday and it was kind of just grab whatever you could kind of scenario...
It wasn’t on my list but I saw Sriracha on the shelf and made sure to pick it up.

Me:
What is your favorite Sriracha dish?

Kelsey:
I really like Sriracha on fried eggs.  

Thank you Kelsey!!!
Hmmm I didn’t think of Sriracha. I made sure to get Kimchi though! Do you know you can put Kimchi on everything just like Sriracha? I sometime put them on eggs, too :)

————————————

Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!