Me:
What is your essential food/item that made it on top of your quarantine list?
Diana:
My hoarding ways have prepared me well for this crisis lol, so the top things on my essentials list remain relatively the same as in my daily life: eggs, frozen veggies, frozen dumplings (a must!!), oatmeal, and canned fish (my favorite is fried dace).
One thing I was less prepared about was restocking baking ingredients. So I recently ordered 50 lbs of flour and 50 lbs of sugar, as well as a big bag of bittersweet chocolate! I think once I get a large amount of butter, I will be set for all the baking orders to come :D
Me:
YES! Your cookie business!!! Let me ask about that in a bit.
First I want to ask you about this fish can which I have never seen it before. Is this like a canes sardine? Does this have a unique seasoning?
Diana:
Sort of, except with a different sauce. The kind I like is doused in fermented black beans and oil. It's super salty, delicious, and instantly transports me to my childhood.
Me:
Mmmm sounds so good. Does your cat go crazy when you open the can? Lol
Diana:
Haha she does when I'm opening it, and then gives me a dirty look when I let her sniff the can :)
Me:
How do you usually eat this?
Diana:
It is best eaten with rice! I even save the oil and black beans for future meals. Recently I tried it on top of grits and that was pretty delish. If I'm being really good, I'll have it over riced cauliflower, but it's definitely not as satisfying.
Me:
I am voting for white rice! It sounds really good!
Ok I HAVE to ask you for your cookie subscription business? I think it’s the best subscription I have ever heard. ( I actually subscribed right when I saw about it on Diana’s instagram!)
How did you start backing Diana?
Diana:
From Here to Sunday (Diana’s store front in Gowanus, Brooklyn) actually began with baking. After I left a full-time job in early 2016, I had much more time to play, so I started to experiment. That summer, I was working at Tom Sach's Bodega at the Brooklyn Museum, so I would bring extras to share. A co-worker suggested that I should start selling out of the Bodega, so I paired baked goods with zines by artist/printmaker Todd Irwin, and voila! From Here to Sunday was born :)
The Taster's Club Cookie Subscription started with a similar premise. I used to sell cookies along with other art goods at pop-ups, or I would try a new recipe, but I'd end up with a lot of extras. I didn't want to throw them out, so I started offering the cookie subscription as a solution. It started slowly with friends joining as a way to support the growing business. Now I actually bake specifically for the subscribers (although they still get extras when there are some.)
Me:
Yum Yum Yum! I can’t wait to get my first cookie box!
And here is a very important announcement:
From Here to Sunday is currently offering Mini Cookie Care Packages for frontline worker friends. Each package includes 6 cookies and a custom handwritten note. Pay-what-you-wish to @heretosunday on Venmo with an email address to order. Suggested donation is $10 to cover shipping & handling.
I love this idea so so much.
If you have a friend in frontline please do send them a cookie package :)
Have you been cheering 7pm everyday?
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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 shopping baskets. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy talking to them about it. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!