The Art of the Snack Plate
Jam and pesto, cookbook haul, charcuterie must-haves, organic cotton everything, so ugly they're cute clogs, and a simple shopping list.
Happy Tuesday! We had a weekend full of sun and warm weather which has me itching for full on summer. I spent Saturday at the farmer’s market, eating a charcuterie board on the couch, and walking through the park. Truly my ideal day.
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I’m a big snack plate gal, the final question of every podcast episode is asking the guest their go-to snack plate which always seems to be the trickiest question. On my board there always has to be a few pickled items, olives, cucumbers, lots of cheese, maybe a cured meat, a dip, nuts of some sort, crackers, and a baguette with French butter + flaky salt. Very delightful, especially when served with Figlia’s new aperitivo Sol over some sparkling water.
I snagged Meredith’s new cookbook and I cannot wait to dive in. There’s something exhilirating about snagging the last copy in Barnes & Noble lol. I’ll be cooking from this and By Heart for the foreseeable future.
Two simple recipes for you that will have you be yearning for summer if you’re not already: the classic strawberry rhubarb jam and a versatile herb pesto. Dig in and check out this week’s podcast guest, Sri, of the newly launched brand Kailo!
I had the please of chatting with 8 AAPI founders to hear about their favorite CPG brands + products. Check it out:
Chatting with AAPI founders
It is officially May and what better time than now to highlight some of my favorite AAPI-founded brands!
Sri Kalapala of Kailo
Sri Kalapala is a snack lover turned founder with a background in healthcare technology, business strategy, and operations. As the Founder and COO of Evolutis Health, he led the company’s expansion across 30+ states, optimizing virtual psychological evaluation services.
Frustrated with “healthy” protein bars filled with artificial additives, Sri spent years perfecting his recipes before sharing them with the world. With Kailo, he’s on a mission to make clean eating effortless and enjoyable.
Kailo is a protein bar crafted for those who value real ingredients—no fillers and no artificial additives. Made with high-quality organic ingredients (that you’ll recognize), no added sugar, and 14g of plant-based protein, Kailo bars make clean eating effortless and enjoyable, because nourishing your body should feel good.
IG kailo_bar | kailobar.com
Listen to the episode:
Spotify | Apple Music | Substack
*I’m having an issue with Apple Podcasts showing every episode, so for the time being your best bet is to listen here or on Spotify. So sorry!
Get Cookin’
If you’re like me you buy a big ole bushel of herbs, use half of them, and the rest are left to die in your fridge. I don’t know why it happens because even when I put in my effort to use them all up…there’s somehow always more. Anywho, here’s a recipe for a pesto-y herby sauce that uses up all those stragglers.
DUH. Do I need to even describe how juicy and delectable this flavor combination is. Put it on a toasted slice of sourdough with French butter and flaky salt, yummm!
Weekly Favorites
I’ve been looking for some art for the dining room + my office but I’m not rushing the process because I want to find pieces I truly love. I found this artist on TikTok and am loving her take on nature prints.
Obviously I need orange printed PJs because who would I be if not a Citrus Diaries gal through and through. 100% cotton too.
Speaking of cotton, I’m obsessed with this set. It’s so effortless I can see myself living in it all summer long + the pants would be fab as a spring/fall transitional piece.
Finally a pair of denim shorts that I could see myself working from home in. These would be perfect for the days that knit/cotton/linen shorts just aren’t the vibe.
My current beauty obsession is SIMIHAZE — the packaging is just too cool, shades + formulas are to die for, and it’s owned by Palestinian sisters. I have a feeling this will be a cult favorite of mine.
Kinda ugly but very functional shoes ftw. I love Ailecia’s style and she recently posted a video sharing her favorite “ugly” shoes, all of which I’m obsessed with. These are my two contributions, Oakleys + Merrells.
ICYMI
xx,
Lauren (Hodgen)
Dear Citrus Diaries Host | @ citrusdiaries.studio
Citrus Diaries Studio | Creative Director
If you’re interested in working together, drop me a line: hello@citrusdiaries.com 🍊