Making Your Life Easier, Spring Pea & Mint Purée with Yogurt Flatbread
Cooking apart, together.
“Trust in our children is the key to almost every aspect of parenting, but it’s especially essential at mealtime.” - Janet Lansbury
This has been a hard week. Maybe because my trust in this pandemic uncertainty is waning. Boundaries and schedules and communication is getting very fuzzy as we continue to navigate so much unknown. ‘Toddler bedtime,’ no longer two words I understand spoken together.
I listened to a Janet Lansbury episode yesterday, while I was rolling flatbread. I don’t typically listen or seek out parenting advice while cooking, which feels like good time to escape any flattened motherhood mood (I prefer more indulgent listening/scrolling, like can we squeeze anything more out of this Alison Roman vs. Chrissy Teigen feud?).
Anyway, I’m not even sure what the JL episode was about, but she made a great point in her introduction that caught my attention. It’s something I’ve thought about often in regards to this newsletter. She had heard feedback from a listener/s that often her advice felt “triggering” because it can make someone feel like they’re failing. And early in this project, a dear friend of mine, actually made a similar comment to me about how TWK was creating more anxiety around family mealtimes for her. Which of course was crushing to hear, and the exact opposite of how I want someone to feel.
To paraphrase Lansbury’s graceful and thoughtful response, and the same sentiment I want to convey:
The only thing I am offering, the only purpose here, is to make your life easier.….it’s about how to make this job easier (feeding young children). It’s not meant to be judgmental, it’s meant to be helpful and inspiring. Feeding young children is not easy or straightforward, that’s the whole reason I started this project. That’s the whole kohlrabi.
So thank you JL for giving me those words. And thank you to you, for being here and reading these words every week. I truly hope this project can continue to grow and offer support and inspiration for all the mess that naturally is, feeding and cooking for families.
Meanwhile, my toddler is probably on his 7th episode of Super Wings? Gotta go. Here’s a quick, easy recipe (below) for big spring flavor and said flatbread. Also, kids love dip.
Bon Appetit! Bonne Chance!
Spring Pea & Mint Purée. If you’re out of peppercorns (like I was), feel free to pair with salt & pepper potato chips. You’re welcome.
Also this yogurt flatbread. Recipe by Joshua McFadden, in his wonderful Six Seasons cookbook.
Spring Pea & Mint Purée with Yogurt Flatbread
2 cups fresh spring peas (or frozen peas!), cooked
1-2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 lemon, juiced and some zest
handful fresh mint leaves, rinsed
handful of cilantro (optional), rinsed
olive oil
sea salt, cracked pepper
In a food processor: blend peas, garlic, lemon juice and zest, mint and cilantro. Slowly add olive oil, until it comes together in a formable purée. Add salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust lemon, mint or cilantro too. I love this especially bright, zingy, minty. Serve with yogurt flatbread, briny feta, and pea tendrils. Or crunchy watermelon radish and other crudités. Also, chips are never a bad idea.
I’ll regularly be posting recipe tips and pictures on Instagram. Please follow along!
If you’re cooking this week: Please be sure to tag @thewholekohlrabi, or share the newsletter with old friends, new friends, colleagues, family, etc.