Ft. The Umbrella Academy & Salted Caramel S’mores

July 31, 2020 by Sydney Grant

Happy Friday to everyone except the Chainsmokers! Cheers to another weekend of Netflix bingeing, convincing myself that I “deserve” my second Postmates of the day and spending way too many hours watching Architectural Digest’s YouTube channel.

However you’re planning on spending your weekend, enjoy these quarantivities! And as always, please add your own activities to the list!

Quarant-streams

‘The Umbrella Academy’

Watch this if your superpower is finishing a Netflix series in one day:

The second season of Netflix’s Umbrella Academy aired today, meaning superhero school is officially back in session. If you’re unfamiliar with this fabulously weird show, it centers around a group of estranged adopted siblings who reunite after hearing that their father has died. Here’s where the weird part comes in: they have superpowers and were adopted and raised to be vigilante crime-fighters…who are one day meant to save the world from the impending apocalypse. Oh yeah, and there’s also an anthropomorphic chimpanzee named Phinneus and a time-traveling assassin played by Mary J. Blige.

Aside from the twist-laden plotline that will have you eagerly awaiting each next episode to auto-play, the soundtrack is also superb – fight scenes are just so much better when paired with a ska take on Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy.” I may have joined the Umbrella Academy party late, but after flying through the whole first season this week in a mere and slightly horrifying 48 hours, it’s safe to say that I can’t recommend it enough.

Stream Seasons 1 and 2 now via Netflix.

‘True Detective’

Watch this if you like crime shows that are more than just, “Alright, alright alright”:

I actually just re-discovered True Detective recently because one of my friends is watching it for the first time and reminded me just how good this show really is. In fact, it’s so good that if you Google “Why is True Detective…,” the first suggestion that pops up is “Why is True Detective so good.” The anthology series follows a new case and detective duo each season and if you’ve heard anything about this show before, it’s probably that the first season is the best. I mean, how could it not be with Matthew McConaughey as the troubled and brooding Rust Cohle and Woody Harrelson as the by-the-books cop and “family man” Marty Hart?

Although the second season also boasts a star-studded cast, it’s also the worst by far, so feel free to pretend as though that one doesn’t exist. The latest season, season three, was True Detective’s redemption. Armed with Mahershala Ali in a role similar to McConaughey’s and Stephen Dorff to Harrelson’s, it returned to its roots which, although formulaic, works yet again to make the show well worth the rewatch.

Stream it now via HBO.

Quarant-reads

‘Afterland’ by Lauren Buekes

Read this if the first thing you watched during quarantine was Contagion:

To some people, the thought of reading a book in the midst of a pandemic in which most of the men in the world have been wiped out by a deadly virus does not sound too appealing. To those of you whose interest was immediately piqued by that short synopsis, meet your next favorite thriller. Afterland follows a mom and son, named Cole and Miles respectively, who are on the run from not only the government but Cole’s own sister. As one of the sole survivors of the virus, Miles is quite the hot commodity and Cole is determined to get him to South Africa where she believes that they will be safe. I understand wanting to wait a bit to read this one, but as far as pandemics go, ours looks pretty good compared to Buekes’. I just have one question: can we get a petition going to change the name of the scientists working on the coronavirus to plague-o-nauts?

Purchase now via Amazon.

Quarant-eats

Vegetarian Pan Pizza With Lots of Greens via Bon Appetit

Make this if you prefer your salad on your pizza:

Salted Caramel Smores via Food & Wine

Make these for the perfect pairing for your campfire (or stovetop):

Frozen Tim Collins via NYT Cooking

Make this because summer is frozen drinks season:

David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces gin
6 ounces fresh lemon juice (from 3 to 4 large lemons)
4 ounces simple syrup (1:1 granulated sugar and water)
5 to 6 cups cracked or crushed ice cubes
Maraschino cherries and syrup, preferably Luxardo, for serving

PREPARATION

In an airtight container, combine the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Seal and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Transfer the chilled mixture to the blender, add the ice and blend until smooth and slushy.
Divide the mixture among 6 lowball glasses; garnish each with a few cherries and a drizzle of cherry syrup. Serve immediately, and store any extras in the freezer in a covered container until ready to enjoy.