My brain has been playing the Crookers remix of Day n Nite on a loop for weeks, and I couldn't figure out why until I woke up in a cold sweat yesterday morning. The eclipse snuck up on me, just like the realization that it was something that I cared deeply about.
I tried to speed-run preparations. I crisscrossed the city, ignoring google maps in favor of Reddit threads and boolean search operators to find glasses( I found them at MetroPCS?). I scorched a saucepan, attempting to thematically riff on Bronwen's rice pudding recipe with riso nero I brought home from Milan as an attempted eclipse snack.
I've been tackling daunting to-do lists at an unsustainable pace lately but I knew the moon wouldn't wait for me to find a perfect treat for her moment. My solution- lean on my pantry to pull together these eclipse brownies. An orange oleo meant for the failed rice pudding anchored a Swiss meringue and gave me an excuse to use my torch to char the stiff peaks before whipping in salted butter. Espresso, a box of the best mix, and a dark cherry at the center of each brownie mimicked a black forest cake without forcing me to use a double boiler. It is easier to live in the moment when there is buttercream involved.
All of the last-minute fuss was worth it because watching the actual eclipse made me feel a bit like this (I’m always searching for new ways to treat myself kindly because it is never my first instinct)
I hope to carry that feeling for the next 24 years, or at least until we make it through these unsnackables.
the unsnackables
sweet
In the very depths of my soul, there is an endless appreciation for the ~art~ of CPG product development, and in particular for improvements made on a line extension. These brioche bun-topped ice cream sandwiches didn't grab my attention when they were first released last year (due to mixed reviews and a flavor that wasn’t worth coveting), but I am absolutely invested in this version that nestles mango ice cream under a blanket of dragonfruit sauce. I wouldn't even feel bad adding this to my morning coffee.
savory
Fried dumpling skins are a garnish that I have, on many occasions, eaten by the handful when they are meant to top a salad. This cuts out the middleman and delivers a bag of that crunchy goodness with a spicy/savory flavor.
thirsty
When Far East Movement sang "Poppin bottles in the ice, like a blizzard. When we drink we do it right, gettin' slizzard" They were talking about what I would do if I had access to this champagne bottle filled with lemon-lime soda.
boozy
With a base of Galician brandy and a flavor developed by cold-macerating seven herbs for at least 30 days, this glowing mello-yello colored liqueur has a distinct side quest healing potion vibe. I need to sip this immediately and transport myself to the idyllic locale on the front of the bottle post haste.
I’m still figuring this out, but hopefully, you enjoyed v.69 of unsnackable.
If you didn’t please don’t tell me, tell your friends to subscribe because they hopefully have better taste than you.
Think you’ll miss me before unsnackable v.70 comes to your inbox? follow me on other parts of the internet and tell me about what you’re snacking on