DEVOUR: The June Edit
What to cook, watch, read, covet, listen to, and devour.
This week, an impossibly chic, idiot-proof way to cook fish, ice sculptures, folded napkins, and things I’m loving right now.
This post is free and sponsored by Victorinox.
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G’day!
I’m a bit excited.
I’m having a belated intimate 50th party next weekend upstate. My birthday is in February, but I was determined not to celebrate this milestone in the dead of winter. In Australia, I grew up with a summer birthday, so I find it discombobulating when there’s snow involved. Aside from the seasons, I also committed to making 2026 the year of the 50th that never ends.
And that is why I write a column called Party Trick.
ICE SCULPTURES ON MY MIND
I’ve had a fantasy of pulling off a classy ice sculpture for years. As one does. My 50th feels like the right time to try and pull this off. I’m going to kick the night off with batched ice-cold Vespers. My drink du jour. So I reached out to local ice makers, Twin Lakes Ice Co and together we’re plotting how we can use their exquisite clear large sculptural ice blocks. Every special occasion party needs one “shits and giggles, look at me” moment. I am so excited by this idea that I pitched it to my editor at The Wall Street Journal. If you want an update on whether I pull it off, comment ICE.
THE ART OF NAPKIN FOLDING
I’ve also been brainstorming how to decorate the table. I’ll keep it simple and classic: white linen tablecloths, an excess of candles, and I’m thinking I might do a decorative folded napkin on each plate. Like the ice sculpture, I’ve been obsessed with the folded cloth napkin.
I’d love to do a step-by-step series on some of the different folds. I’m learning all the names: Rosebud, Birds of Paradise, The Crown, The Bishop, The Tulip, The Candle, Standing Fan, Standing Leaf. It feels like such a fun, economical way to bring height, drama, and old-school luxury to a table. It’s the little things. As I teach myself do you want me to share what I learn?
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WATCH THIS:
Marty, Life Is Short. This documentary on Martin Short, directed by Lawrence Kasdan is wonderful. His humor, lightness, talented friend group, and their gatherings will make you want to schedule a weekend away with your buddies. I also appreciate him opening up recently about the loss of his daughter to mental health. “Let’s take mental health out of the shadows.” What a man. What a legend. What about he and Meryl?!
Knicks v Spurs. New York is going to be nuts. A win last night. Go Knicks. You might want to make my One-Pot, Under-An-Hour, Chili and have friends over. Is Wembanyama going to crush them?
BOOK THIS:
Other Desert Cities Julia Louis-Dreyfus is making her Broadway debut alongside one of my all-time favorite leading men, Ed Harris this fall. Will be booking tickets for this one.
WEAR THIS:
I met my friend Alex in the city the other day and she had on this gorgeous NUDE 1 lipstick by Fara Homidi, a makeup artist renowned for minimalist makeup. The product photo doesn’t do it justice. Think I’ll wear this color all summer long. The whole range looks beautiful.
READ THIS:
Need a Father’s Day gift? My friends, cookbook writer Jenny Rosenstrach and her husband Andy Ward, who edits some incredible authors, recommended The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder. I love a rollicking tale at sea and trust their taste. Listen to them talk books on Substack live June 11th. I bought it for Nick, but really for myself.
TRY THIS:
This week we’ve had a friend who’s vegetarian visiting so I made Alison Roman’s Creamy Cauliflower Pasta with Pecorino Bread Crumbs from Something from Nothing. I added a bit more cream, and might have also snuck in some butter. For leftovers the following night, I had crispy chickpeas so I threw those in too. Delicious.
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A KNIFE I LOVE
You know how you have a knife that you always reach for? Well, it’s the Victorinox Wood Santoku Knife for me. I adore this knife because of the lightweight, ergonomic wooden handle that fits like a glove in your hand no matter your hand size. And if you’re a woman who’s ever struggled with knives that feel too big and bulky, this one is going to be a game changer. Seriously. Swiss made, it stays incredibly sharp, and comes with a lifetime warranty. I genuinely can’t recommend these knives enough. Good knives make cooking a pleasure.
Fish En Papillote
Fish cooked in parchment paper feels a little 1980s-dinner-party, doesn’t it? But as my mom said when she saw me prep these parcels on FaceTime recently, “Did it ever go out of fashion?” No, it didn’t. Because “en papillote” remains the most delicious, idiot-proof way to cook fish. Cooking fish in parchment packets makes overcooking nearly impossible. I had some locally caught cod, but monkfish or sea bass are great, too. Top the fillets with sliced cherry tomatoes and fennel, a handful of fennel fronds, olives and capers, plus a splash of white wine, olive oil, lemon juice and a little butter. I love serving it with yummy crispy potatoes, like Pommes Anna or a simple green salad. Easy peasy.
Try a new recipe this week. We’re starting to build a collection of classics here. Take care dear Devour readers.
(If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission or have a sponsored relationship with the brand, at no cost to you. I recommend only products I genuinely like. Thank you so much.)
I mean you are unstoppable!! The ICE - so here for it!
LFG NY KNICKERBOCKERS!!
Ice ! Do tell