What to Binge, Braise, & Bake over the Holidays
it's the week before Christmas and all through the apartment, everyone is stirring, especially the rats
Dear reader,
If there’s one common experience of a childless Millennial home for the holidays, it’s the doom scroll to figure out what to watch with your parents — resulting in a squabble between adult siblings, someone huffing “okay fine” and returning to TikTok or fantasy football, and the inevitable compromise on Die Hard 2 (Hulu).
This week, I’ve got a longer format for you (you can flip through the charts, if you prefer). I met up with my brilliant friend and content expert Katie Knecht in Google Docs to get you, and your families, through that liminal state between Christmas and New Years with tested binges, braises, and bakes — for however you’re feeling.1
What to Binge, Braise, & Bake to Survive the Holidays
SW: My family bickers about everything, and emotions tend to run high over the holidays. I’ve found high-intensity, mostly apolitical, serials seem to be the best way to keep the peace. There’s so much good spy TV out right now (Slow Horses (AppleTV), Black Doves (Netflix), The Agency (Showtime)), but I’m pitching The Night Manager (Hulu), which is coming back for a third season next year (!!). Not the most traditional pairing, but I’ll be raiding my mother-in-law’s fridge for a pint of pimento cheese and Club crackers.
KK: My family, on the other hand, likes to avoid confrontation and pretend they’re fine with watching “whatever” when they are definitely not. It’s best to enter the situation with strong ideas that will appeal to all audiences. The Night Agent (Netflix) — not to be confused with The Night Manager — meets the criteria of action (dads), a basic love story (moms), and politics-but-not-really politics (Millennials). To pair, I turn to the cookbook that you actually got me, Sophia — Snacking Cakes (by Polina!) — for one of my favorite cakes of all time: a whole citrus almond cake. It’s candy-like, moist as hell, and, bonus: gluten free!
SW: But sometimes the tension can get high, even in your house, right? What do you put on when you need to scream in the bathroom?
KK: John Wick (Prime) the first (probably not 2 and certainly not 3 or 4) is not only a perfect film — a man seeks revenge in protection of his beloved dog — but a perfect fit for that particulate use case because there are lots of guns being shot (loud) and Keanu Reeves being surly (hot). To add to the noise levels and keep things sizzling, I recommend going full southern with fried chicken. Alternatively, you could try at-home smash burgers — if you need an outlet, smash ‘em down as hard and as loud as you like.
SW: or something a little spicy — like steamed mussels and ‘nduja. Die Hard (Hulu, Prime) or Dune: Part Two (Max) would be loud and easy enough to escape for a few minutes.
SW: Sometimes I’m in the mood to lock in for something Good. If I can get tickets to The Brutalist on Christmas Day, I’m dragging everyone to spend 4 hours in the dark, but if not, I’d consider Senna (Netflix), even though it seems like the F1 hype has waned. Conclave (Peacock) is visually stunning and The Tucc is always a people-pleaser — also did you see that Ralph Fiennes is jacked now??
KK: Omg, I love that for Ralph. Conclave was sooo good! It’s truly a modern-day palace intrigue film, but please note that it does not pass the Bechdel test. Give The Holdovers (Prime) a look if you’re searching for great cinema with a holiday twist. (PS: Remember the time we watched the F1 race on a phone outside a bar in the rain because the bar was not yet open? #dedicated)
SW: The first and last time I pretended to care about sports.
SW: Usually by day 4 of the holiday break, it’s time to give in and watch a sappy movie. Netflix is trying to make a play to win the holiday rom com market, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve watched all of the Princess Switch movies and Hot Frosty. But is any of it good or should I put on Love Actually (Prime) and cry during the scene with Colin Firth in the restaurant for the tenth time?
KK: Disrespectfully, Love Actually is a creepy, loveless movie that I won’t spend my word count on. My go-to holiday movie is Home Alone (Disney+) — you get extremely festive vibes, a child organizing and executing nefarious plans, and Catherine O’Hara. I need naught else. Except maybe Home Alone 2: Lost In New York which is equally as enjoyable. This vibe should be paired with your delicious and cozy mac and cheese, IMHO.
KK: Sometimes you’ve had enough and need to take some alone time. Depending on your mood, I have two paths for you. If you’re looking for a laugh, you must watch PEN15 (Hulu), a comedy series about being a teenager in the ~*eArLy 2o0oS*~ <333. The Magicians trilogy is for anyone hoping to capture the magic of being a kid and getting lost in a new world. I have to warn you that it is not smutty, though, Sophia! As for snacks, I will be dining on Pop-Tarts from my parents’ kitchen.
SW: PEN15 is truly too real for me — if any readers have made it this far, I will share evidence of my French horn career upon request. And you got me — I’ve read a lot of faerie smut this year. I know you haven’t read ACOTAR, but if you’re looking to disappear for the whole week, it would work…
SW: Let’s say you reemerge, refreshed, and ready to be civil. What are you queueing up?
KK: I rave about Shrinking (Apple TV) to anyone who will let me. I am not even joking when I say that I cry every single episode while, at the same time, my heart feels like it might burst. It’s also genuinely hilarious, so there will be something even for the less sentimental. I feel like something soft and chewy is appropriate here. Thoughts?
SW: This seems like the right opportunity to dig into a gooey, chocolatey mess. Maybe a giant cookie? Or Clare de Boer’s incredible chewy ginger cake? As for content, I sobbed while watching The Wild Robot (rent) alone, obviously. One of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. I’d love to rewatch it with company or My Old Ass (Prime).
SW: I need help! After Christmas, I’m going to visit my brother in Vietnam for New Years. What should I download? I tend to get very emotional on planes (it’s a thing!).
KK: Ooo, this is a fun one! I like an action saga for a long flight — perhaps revisit the Bond movies or Jason Bourne series. For something newer, I enjoyed Bullet Train. And, as always, I have to suggest Survivor (Paramount+) for a long binge (start here). Or, you could always watch Tenet (rent) on repeat for the entirety of the trip to see if you could figure out wtf is going on?!
SW: The last time I watched Tenet I was 10mg deep and nearly got it… jk it was even more unintelligible than the time we watched people perform Nolan’s other masterpiece (Inception (Peacock)) entirely from memory…
Other Stuff & Things
Absolute Bagels closed due to evidence of live rats and roaches, but 7 people are watching their bagels on eBay? P.S. I wish eBay would add a social feature so you could see everyone’s watchlist.
How to wrap a present like a pro: sharing here for reference this week. But remember, anything can be wrapping paper if you try hard enough. (see below)
When will pepper get a glow-up? This year, a 3lb bucket of Maldon salt topped nearly every gift list (I was lucky enough to receive one), but it leaves me worried about its sidekick. Where were the chic or vintage grinders? Or the small-batch artisanal peppercorns? Maybe I’ve found my niche.
Recent Eats
Creme brûlée pie at Leland Eating and Drinking House: honestly, this was brilliant and I’ll be trying to recreate.
Wrapping bread from She Wolf: I did eat it. Thank you, Wayne!
Creme brûlée pie (l); joy at wrapping bread (r)
Sorry I broke my 750-word rule — the next one will be shorter,
Sophia
In retrospect, we didn’t recommend as many braises as expected, but I was committed to the alliteration. If you’re equally as committed to braising, Alison Roman’s tangy braised short ribs (over polenta or potatoes) are excellent.
It's the Ziplock bag on the eBay listing for me.
Loved joining you for this! TYSM for having me <3