Nine missed meals, and it’s chaos 9️⃣

SB218

Welcome to Secret Breakfast / An exclusive newsletter, the best place to be mansplained about the four seasons of being a woman, knowing for a fact that there is only an exact number of missed meals between mankind and anarchy (and that’s why we should meal prep)

Bento!

Hi there!

While picking the links you’ll find in this newsletter I was tempted to keep some for the coming issues. At least 5 of them would have worked very well as main themes (and memorable email subjects) for the future.

Then… Well, I figured, what the hell? (cit.)

Enjoy!

Piero

Picture by Andrea Mauro for Natsubate. I discovered this precious book just a few days ago, and it’s something. There are a couple of more shots on the Perimetro website.

ONE QUOTE

Bernard Holland is the fictional and pivotal character of the tv show Silo, portrayed by Tim Robbins. The quote is attributed to Alfred Henry Lewis who, in 1906, stated: “There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy”.

“The recipe for cooking a steak is so simple, it’s hardly worth writing. Season. Sear. Rest. Serve. Within that framework lies an infinity of variation”, writes Roula Khalaf. Mr Hayward, who already delivered a seminal book about knives, offers an engaging exploration of steak, going beyond typical cookbooks by delving into its history, cultural significance, and various cooking methods.

Steak: The Whole Story by Tim Hayward
Shortplot: 🥩 🥩 🥩 🥩

OMG, I HAVE THREE WORLD LEADERS FOR DINNER AND I RAN OUT OF COASTERS

So, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (♥️) had a dinner meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. At her place.

Many praised the relaxed style of the meeting.

Some tragically unimaginative soul dared to compare it to an Ikea aesthetic foreseeing Billy bookcases that simply are not there (and completely overlooking the presence of a Blue Fluted Half Lace plate by Royal Copenhagen. A single plate, mind you, that could easily fetch for $220 a piece).

A select few of us couldn't help but ponder if our esteemed international guests might have been expecting a slightly more... robust welcome. Surely, a tasting menu at the Alchemist, while undoubtedly impressive, was a bit much for a casual workday. At the very least, couldn't some hapless intern have been dispatched to retrieve a vial or two from Redzepi's very own Willy Wonka-esque fermentation facility? Just a thought.

It’s been written that they were eating Smørrebrød (★recipe). I don’t know. I see some red in their dish, some cured meat, maybe? I see something white and green, fish and herbs?

Most of all I had a half-of-an-heartbreak noticing the presence of two excellent beers (Mikkeller Hop Shop Hazy IPA and one Burst IPA), presumably cold, a bottle of unrecognizable Chablis, and - oh no! - no coasters on that naked table.

The truth is I love taking a look at real people’s homes. And this one looked pretty real to me. I think the Danish can keep Greenland for now, can’t they?

Photo: Mette

Juicy content from food creators. But this time: Happy Lunar Year!

This is the space where I share some food (un)related stuff of my week

🗺️From Juneau to Cartagena: 12 Destinations for Going All Out in 2025 🥬When You Have Too Much Black Cabbage (★recipes) ☀️After a Shitty Day, Kenji's Sticky Buns Can Make a Great Morning (★recipe) + 18 Treats Besides Cinnamon To Use in Cinnamon Rolls (★recipes) + Cinnamon Rolls’ Alternative Shapes ☕️Specialty Coffee Shops and Parisian Cafes 🔥You Could Try a New Lasagna Recipe Every Day for the Next 2 Weeks and Never Get Bored (★recipes) 💆🏼‍♀️Diet and Healthy Hair, some ingredients 🖖🏻Fish Fingers, Homemade Style (★recipe) 🔧Why Ikea Is the Perfect Location for a Second Date (spoiler: it’s not, it can’t be, don’t tell me it is) 🍅 Mushroom, Banana & Craze: The Surprising Origins and Alternatives to Tomato Ketchup 🐀Maybe that’s already in your feeds, but here’s Ratatouille in real life

I was browsing around, looking for bullet-journal ideas, when I stumbled upon a blog post about what to eat for each season of the cycle. Now, I’m a guy, I know nothing, but at least I cook for three women. Then I read on. This is where Sarita Walsh and her Four Seasons model get in. Now I know when to serve complex carbohydrates, or berries, or raw vegetables. I bet you knew that, but if you don’t, here you go.

Bitter: a Map
Janan Alexandra / The Offing Magazine

The word "bitter" signifies a harsh taste, a negative feeling, and often connotes unpleasant experiences. Interestingly, its etymology reveals connections to biting, anger, and even the sea. Ultimately, the word "bitter" serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay of joy and sorrow.

Last week's most clicked link was I'd Rather Be Sick Than Eat Progresso Soup Drops Ever Again. And that's all for today.