Eating with Brooke for a week!

extra points for the creative title

If you’re new, Brooke is my sister.

If you’re not new, you knew it was a good week of eating.

For context, I visited Brooke a few weeks ago for an entire week, and it was INCREDIBLE. So sweet, so mundane, and incredibly restful.

Hence, why I’m writing about it now, because I checked out of life for a whole week, and we’re still getting back into the grind

I wouldn’t consider it a vacation, despite everyone I told about my trip calling it just that.

We spent a solid amount of our time cleaning, unpacking, and organizing her things in her new space.

We got groceries, figured out what to cook with said groceries.

We went on walks with Stella (her child/dog), canceled multiple-night plans because we wanted to watch MasterChef or the Cheetah Girls instead of going out.

We went to her weekly trivia night, her favorite little spots in town, and the Saturday Farmer’s Market!

Not grandiose vacation plans, but good old-fashioned quality time that she and I thrive on.

Here are the highlights:

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I was a skeptic, I won’t lie.

But a casserole dish filled with cream cheese, tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and more cheddar than one would like to admit; I’m an unlikely fan!

Paired with crackers, fresh veg, or in a wrap with avocado and arugula?

SO GOOD!

Tortas

Tortas are hard to mess up, and thankfully, I’m not picky when it comes to these sandwiches.

We were in the middle of errands and knew we needed to eat soon.

Not enough time (or want) for a sit-down restaurant, too far to go home to make something.

We started walking down a strip in Springdale, when I saw this little shack I remembered passing by last time I was in Arkansas!

The small building was covered in art, makeshift picnic tables outside, and one small ordering window.

Lots of promise, for a good meal! And this Torta did not disappoint!

Freshly shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, topped with crispy homemade pickled jalapenos. Flavorful chicken with creamy avocado paired with the acidity and spice of the jalapenos.

I’m romanticizing it, I know, but dang it was a good sandwich!

Yuzu White Chocolate Cortado (iced)

Bright, rich, and delightful in every way.

I won’t lie, I didn’t know what Yuzu was until I sat down to write this Substack.

Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that tastes like a grapefruit, a lemon, and an orange had a sweet baby, balanced with the rich sweetness of white chocolate? C’mon now!

This drink tastes like a spring day and clear skies (if something can taste like that)

Pizookies

Pizookies always remind me of Brooke.

I remember her telling stories of getting them often with her friends in college.

Brooke (in my mind) is the queen of cast iron pans.

Is she? Technically, no.

But in my brain, she is because I only cook with one when I’m with her (for now).

After dinner and a good walk in the neighborhood with Stella, we were both craving something sweet. I don’t remember who came up with the idea, but sure enough, we were at Walmart buying butter at 8 pm on a school night to make a pizookie.

We’re so bad!

The Verdict: It was delicious, not surprising.

Honorable mentions!

• Club Sandwiches and Mac and Cheese (nostalgic in every way)

• Osso Bucco Ravioli (bougie and something I’d never make but will always enjoy)

• Shrimp Pasta Salad (balanced, filling, light, and delicious)

• Handel’s Ice Cream

• Tabbouli (Classic)

• Charcuterie (also classic)

• Cider (Quite possibly the only alcohol I like on tap)

• Cardamom Hot Chocolate (Got this at a museum??? Crazy)

All this to say, I can’t wait to go back to Arkansas and, more importantly, cook and eat with Brooke once again.

OKAY I’M DONE BEING SENTIMENTAL. GROSS.

With Love,

Cara