Notes, News, and Nerdiness from JKLA World HQ

Hello frienjis! It's been another hectic week as we roll ever closer to the summer when school is out and all heck breaks loose. For now, I'm trying to get as many things off my to do list as I can.

I spent Monday and Tuesday visiting my sister and her fresh-from-the-oven baby in Bozeman, MT. We went fishing for the afternoon (in the snow!), then grilled a couple of whole chickens which we invited our friend Linda Huang—the Sichuan chef behind the incredible Hummingbird's Kitchen—over to enjoy with us.

The chickens were juicy, smoky, and packed with flavor, thanks to a foolproof grilling technique I've been working on (Stay tuned for a new video and technique for grilling the juiciest whole chickens in the neighborhood coming out in a couple weeks!).

This weekend I'm back in New York in order to start prepping and practicing for the Tasting Notes production we're putting on this Tuesday evening with Tessa Lark, Gabriel Kahane, and NY-based Chamber Orchestra The Knights. Tasting Notes is my food and music show featuring live cooking demos, classical music performances, and exploration of the many ties between what we taste and what we hear.

I'm especially excited for this one. Not only will I get to work with incredible musicians and old friends like Colin and Eric Jacobsen, but It'll also be the first version of Tasting Notes in which the audience is served a full, multi-course, sit-down meal based on the demos and music they are experiencing.

This particular show in New York is sold out (you can get on the waitlist here if you'd like), but I have one more show coming up this summer in Seattle on July 6th at the Triple Door. This show will feature a powerhouse lineup of Seattle guest chefs, including Taichi Kitamura of Sushi Kappo Tamura, Mutsuko Soma of Kamonegi, Christina Wood of Temple Pastres, and myself, with each of us contributing a course to the meal prepared by Rick Yoder and the team at Wild Ginger.

The show will be co-hosted by myself and violinist James Ehnes, and the musical performances will feature musicians from the renowned Seattle Chamber Music Society as part of their ongoing Summer Festival.

I hope to see you there! Tickets are this way.

In the meantime, let me know where I should eat in New York. Thanks!

Gifts for Mother's Day

For mothers in the Seattle area, gift them an e-bike food tour with stops curated by Kenji! Guides David and Joe are both award-winning local educators and two of Seattle’s highest-rated tour guides. (Please note: While Kenji curates the food options, he does not join the tours.) You'll enjoy four great food stops and seasonal foraging throughout the city's waterways, green spaces, and neighborhoods. Use code "kenjifrienji" for 15% off your tour. Learn more and sign up here! Tickets for the bike tour also include a six-month subscription to The Cookbook Club right here on Patreon.

And for mothers anywhere on Earth, give them the gift of Patreon Frienjihood! Super Frienjis enjoy two written recipes a week, Kenji's weekly newsletter, access to private community chats, and monthly livestreams. Members of the Cookbook Club tier enjoy all the same benefits and more—these Frienjis receive in-development recipes they can test in their own home kitchens and provide feedback directly to help bring Kenji's next cookbook to life! Plus, if you gift an annual membership, their name will be printed in the final book. Explore Patreon gift options here!

Recipes for Mother's Day

Go all out for the moms in your life by cooking them a meal that will be sure to impress. While breakfast is a common meal of choice for this day, we've got you covered with a few different recommendations that will get you through lunch and dinner, too:

Eggs Benedict is not a humble breakfast—in all the right ways. This recipe will guide you through making a foolproof hollandaise, poaching your eggs, and getting it all on the table in time.

If there's lots of mouths to feed, this bacon for a crowd or potato hash are two easy ways to check off some side dishes.

For something a bit more delicate and with an extra-special presentation, a sunny-side-up fried egg surrounded by ham and cheese classic French crepes. (And if you're in the mood for sweet, rather than savory, crepes, this batter will help you get there.)

This shakshuka (north African–style poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce) is a complete meal (and, as a bonus, works for any vegetarian mother figures you may need to feed.) And, while it's a popular choice for breakfast, it really works for any meal of the day.

A light, springy lunch is always appropriate for a May mother's day feast. This pasta paglia e fieno ("straw and hay" with peas and pancetta) or spring vegetable gnocchi center those flavors on a fortifying carb.

For something with a bit more time and effort behind it, this dry-brined salmon (paywalled) has a firm, juicy bite. But heads-up: You want to let this rest overnight, so get moving on it!

For something with a bit more depth, these no-waste tacos carnitas re-use their braising liquid as a base for a fresh salsa verde. Warming spices and zingy lime on top balance out the flavors for a well-rounded meal.

And finally, for anyone expecting colder weather this Sunday, this red wine-glazed chuck is hearty and comforting and leaves you with a velvety, restaurant-grade braise.