I have a real life.
I know… epic. You have a real life too. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back or anything.
I just wanted to remind you that I totally have a real life. It’s imperfect and blurry. It’s messy and florescent. It’s crooked and underexposed.
It’s quiet… with the occasional solo dance party. It’s awkward. It’s sometimes frustrating. It’s often times blessed. There’s a lot of food in this life of mine… and it’s not always in focus. It’s just not.
For some reason, I think it’s important that you know this.
Can I show you dinner? Real life… I made this at 7pm in my poorly lit kitchen… and ate it off the coffee table… dinner.
Before dinner can be made, dinner must be shopped for, dinner must be stood in line for.
I’m the girl that answers emails in line at the grocery store. I just am.
I also wear sunglasses in the grocery store… it’s LA, and that’s totally allowed- if not encouraged.
Groceries home. I’m going to make salad-y things, and tomato-y things with mussels, herbs, and wine.
Real life: I found an easy recipe on the internet. I read it. I bought the stuff, and I just want dinner (and wine time) to happen quickly.
Spicy Steamed Mussels with Garlic and Herbs.
There’s chopping to be done, so I chop. Leftover kielbasa, sliced garlic, and green onions.
Directly behind me, my cat is rummaging around in the cabinet under the sink.
He’s learned how to open cabinet doors by himself. He’s like that velociraptor in Jurassic Park. Yes… that terrifying. Don’t believe me? Come live with me for a day. It’s actually scary.
Anyhow… this animal opens my cabinet, rummages around, spills stuff onto the kitchen floor… stuff for me to trip over, then he saunters away.
After chopping and slicing, these little bits get cooked in olive oil.
Heavy on the red pepper flakes. Spicy spicetown.
Fresh basil and thyme for the chopping.
I love to finish dinner with fresh herbs. It makes me feel like I’ve turned my house into a restaurant… mostly because herbs make food taste better.
Salad for dinner too!?
I’m incredibly civilized. Don’t be fooled… I often have popcorn for dinner. I made a salad because I had company over. Casual company… but still company.
When you have company over.. you have to make a salad, right?
Real life: I was too lazy to dig for my spatula so the sides of my pan are coated in tomato sauce. Also… I totally burnt my first round of toast. Like, hardcore. Like, I almost set the house of fire burnt. Black as the day is long. And the day is long…. really long.
Joy the Baker burns toast. This is a true fact.
I’ve never made mussels before. They seem like the kind of food that you only eat in restaurants. Nope. These are so easy and delicious.
I tend to eat dinner alone and standing. I hear it’s great for digestion. Gravity and such. No… I totally don’t hear that. Whatevs.
This time around, because I have company, I’m classing it up… we’re eating hunched over my tiny coffee table.
Not ideal, but I totally have linen napkins.
Real life dinner done and delicious.
All thats left now are dishes, and leftovers… and dessert to rummage through the freezer for.
Spicy Steamed Mussels with Garlic and Herbs. I love this recipe! It feels like Mario Batali cooked you dinner. And I made it in about 25 minutes. Major! Oh… I added capers and kielbasa, and a bit of thyme instead of oregano.
ps. I wish I could make YOU dinner. pps. I love you. ppps. No biggie.
Emily @ Wardrobe Block
I totally love this post. We usually have our dinner on the sofa, watching tv/films. Unless company is round of course. That’s how you live life.
sheila @ Elements
I can’t eat mussels (allergic) but I sure would enjoy the salad and the wine! :) Your kitty is very clever learning to open your cabinet doors. Bet he was going crazy smelling the mussels cooking! :)
Nicky
My cat not only knows how to open the cupboards, but the outside door too. I have met so many neighbors because of his escapades…they think he’s cute, but that’s just his cover! Now I just stake him outside like a dog, he’s happy, trust me.
I love mussels. I love to make mussels. I love to make mussels for people. Because I can have them ready in 30 minutes even when I find out you’re coming for dinner because we need to catch up and you don’t want to cook. I love making mussels because they are simple, quick and seemingly sophisticated. I love making mussels because it’s another chance to cook with wine, garlic, cream, spice, and of course, fresh herbs. I love making mussels because they make you feel like you’re the Audrey Hepburn of hostessing.
Tammie
I don’t like mussels but I LOVE the post!!!
Robyn
i’ve hosted many dinners sitting on the floor at my coffee table/standing at the kitchen counter. just got a dining room table though! exciting!
Natalie S.
Even your “real life” dinners are glamorous and beautiful :) my “real life” dinners often consist of frozen vegetables and mac-n-cheese!
joythebaker
i made myself a box of mac and cheese the other night for dinner. don’t be fooled.
Michelle
I remember those “coffee table dinner” days. I wish I’d had your recipe last week. We were in Nova Scotia & PEI where mussels are everywhere. I love the fact that mussels are part of your “real life”.
Andrea
My cat has also taught himself how to open the kitchen cabinets. Often, I come home and find him sleeping on top of our cutting boards. It’s a problem.
Angela (Oh She Glows)
It takes my cat a good 10 minutes to open one cabinet door. He’s a bit slow on the uptake, but it keeps him busy I guess. And don’t let me get started about him trying to push the door open to get out…it’s a sad sight.
Beth
Ok, Joy, fess up…who’s the boy!? He definitely has nice-looking hands ;) Love how you innocently snuck in that photo…showing just enough for us to know that it was a guy!
Karen
I love your real life! I would love to be able to eat off the counter or coffee table again. You’re an inspiration to us all.
Gia
Your real life dinner looks delicious!! I’ve only eaten mussels at a restaurant but I’ll have to try this recipe. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one eating dinner at my coffee table. :-)
My cat has not learned how to open cabinets – yet. He has terrified me by opening the bathroom door while I was in the shower though! Sneaky kitties!
Danielle
Joy, I have friends over and eat off my coffee table too! Also, can you tell people here in D.C. that it’s okay to wear your sunglasses to a grocery store? ‘Cuz they think its weird. And I’m much too lazy to take off my sunglasses.
The recipe looks amazing! I just might have to make it when I have friends over soon :)
Natalee
First time commenting but I have been following you for awhile. I just had to share something and this is going to blow your mind….I have the same pad of paper hanging on my fridge to keep track of grocery stuff.
Molly
PPPPS: I love you too. Is all good.
Also, I regularly hosted a Tuesday Night Dinner that brought four friends to my house, and the five of us, plus a dog, would elegantly dine around…my coffee table. Whatevs, it’s memories, man. I love that coffeetable. It knows some secrets, yo.