Happy Thursday! If you missed last week’s issue, find it here.
I want this newsletter to be about you, the ladies of DC, so send me claw clip recommendations and bad date stories by replying to this email.
What They Don’t Tell You
A few weeks ago, I asked readers to send in their favorite pantry staples — and my friend Chris McCaffery of The Washington Review of Books may have sent in the most comprehensive (and gourmet) list of them all. Get inspired to experiment in the kitchen and make sure to subscribe to his newsletter, which features recipes, book recommendations, and more!
Chris’s Kitchen Staples
By Chris McCaffery
Good whole black peppercorns (these are my favorite from Penzeys in Falls Church, I get the huge bag).
Aleppo pepper flakes (I usually find these at Odd Provisions, but they’re becoming much easier to find in grocery stores), and this brand of za'atar (from a DC company) are amazing on eggs or your avocado toast, or as seasoning for roast chicken or potatoes, or to make an easy yogurt sauce, or gosh really anything.
The big bin of dried mushrooms from Costco is really nice to have on hand. They can be reconstituted, chopped up and added to braises and sauces for extra flavor.
Real (I’m so serious about this) Parmigiano-Reggiano. They always have it at Whole Foods.
Guanciale for pasta dishes (I usually get it at Salumeria 2703 near my house). Author’s note: For the uninitiated (like myself), guanciale is an “Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks.”
I love keeping canned pumpkin on hand in the fall for a really easy spiced pumpkin soup. I think this is where I got the idea, but it’s incredibly flexible and I usually just wing it.
Also good in the pantry: roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes can be food processed with a block of feta and maybe a jalapeno to make a really quick, amazing dip, so I always try to have some on hand. Same with cans of chickpeas and some tahini for a quick hummus.
Trader Joe’s sells packages of pre-cooked pork belly that are the perfect size to be sliced thinly and used for a stir-fry to feed a few people.
What pantry staples help you resist the urge to order takeout? Share your answer by replying to this email.
Interview with Lana Van Til
Every week, I introduce you to a woman who knows the ins and outs of DC. Meet my friend (and world traveler) Lana Van Til — be sure to connect with her on Twitter to ask for her top travel tips.
What do you love about your neighborhood?
I currently live in Navy Yard and I absolutely love how social of a neighborhood it is! There’s always something to do, whether it's a Nationals game or brunch at one of the many great restaurants; a personal favorite of mine would be Osteria Morini. Most importantly, so many of my friends live right by me!
What does your life look like right now?
Right now I’m on the digital strategy team at Olympic Media. I might be biased, but I’m pretty sure it’s the best political fundraising firm in the DMV area. I have the best group of co-workers and I spend my days being super creative — I can honestly say I love what I do.
Besides work, I’m really involved with my church(es). I’m Catholic, and I love the Young Adult group at St. Peters on Capitol Hill, but you can also catch me at Mass at St. Vincent de Paul in Navy Yard because their Pastor, Father Michal, is the best.
What’s your favorite place to take friends or family who are visiting DC?
I always make sure to hit the classics like Georgetown and (and I know this isn't technically in DC) Old Town Alexandria since there’s so much cool history and great places to eat.
However, my favorite place to show off in DC is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Brookland. It’s the largest Catholic Church in North America and of course is absolutely stunning, so it’s a must-see.
What’s something you wish you had known before moving to DC?
How easy it is to get stuck in the rat race that is DC. There’s so much opportunity in this city, which is amazing, but it also makes it easy to turn your career into an idol. Basically, I wish I knew how intentional I would need to be in terms of practicing self care to avoid burnout. For me, that looks like saying “no” to plans and events when I realize I’m at my limit — which is much easier said than done. I really have to be focused on carving out ample time for prayer and to read Scripture every single day.
What’s your beauty routine like?
In regard to my beauty routine, I try to keep my skincare simple with a few hard-hitting actives like retinol and vitamin C, and of course, sunscreen every single day.
However, I can’t say the same thing about my hair — I have super curly hair and rock my natural (and very high maintenance) texture. Besides shampoo and conditioner, I use leave-in conditioner, curl definer and gel, all from Ouidad. Honestly, figuring out what products worked for my hair took a ton of trial and error, so my advice for anyone trying to embrace their natural curls is to know that it might take a while, and that is perfectly normal.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Hawai’i — I used to live there when I was a child, and it’s hands down my favorite place on earth! Thankfully, my family kept our place in Honolulu after we moved back to Michigan, so I'm still able to go there a few times a year, but it’s never enough.
The Haps
No Pardon for This Turkey
Stay away from the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail — unless you want to find yourself going mano a mano with an aggressive wild turkey. The Wall Street Journal has a light-hearted report on park rangers’ pursuit of the bird, which is likely more aggressive because it’s turkey breeding season. But it’s not purely a laughing matter — scratches and puncture wounds from the turkey have sent residents to urgent care.
Bulletin Board
Congrats to KATIE and TERRY SCHILLING, who welcomed their daughter ABIGAIL JOSEPHINE on April 30. See Terry’s post here.
NOELLE GARNIER celebrates her birthday on May 7. Wish her a happy birthday on Twitter!
Congrats to ROSE LAOUTARIS, who is joining the American Legislative Exchange Council as a policy coordinator! Congratulate her on Twitter.
Ask Evie
Have a question you want me to answer in the newsletter? Click this link to send your question anonymously!
I can’t promise to have all the answers, but I will consult with the experts, a.k.a. the plotlines of my favorite 2000s romcoms.