Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?
Lauren:
That's tricky. I don't always write shopping lists, and my shopping didn't coincide with being told I needed to shelter in place but with the sense that that might happen.
On March 12th I did a regular shopping run for a few items, and the next day I realized I'd forgotten to get sugar. The next night I went to get sugar and mirepoix (carrots, onions, and celery) so I could make lentil soup. I wanted to get red lentils too, but the store was out. People were panic buying, and there was line wrapping around the store, which lead me to acquire more than I originally intended, including tempeh bacon, popping corn, orange juice, rice cakes, my favorite tea (Yogi tea's Throat Comfort), and Teff flour, which I've been meaning to test out.I got red lentils the next day.I did smaller more focused shops early last week: coffee beans (Gimme! Coffee's Leftist and Rally are the current names of the blends I buy), coffee filters (Melitta No. 2), nutritional yeast (Bragg), cans of chickpeas, olive oil (Filipo Berrio extra light tasting), and a loaf of bread.
Aya:
I decided to paint the nutritional yeast because it was the most mysterious item for me. Can you tell me what it is, how it taste and how you use it?
Lauren:
Nutritional Yeast is a deactivated yeast, generally sold in flake form. It's a complete protein, and most manufacturers add vitamins to it to add to it being a useful ingredient for folks with vegan and vegetarian diets. It tastes nutty and cheesy, often used as a cheese substitute. I use it on pasta, as part of vegan pesto sauce, on popcorn, or sprinkled over salads or sometimes even in sandwiches.
Aya:
Do you think I can share a photo of your puppets friends? How they are doing at home these days??
Lauren:
Yes, of course, you can share a photo of the puppets. They are okay. I haven't told them about the pandemic, but they know something is different. More noises coming from the apartments around us throughout the day, and a little more anxiety in the air. Two of them joined me for last week's faculty meeting, so I suspect they have likely figured it all out.
Aya:
Thank you Lauren!!!!!
Here is the photo of Lauren’s puppet friends!
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Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!