Another heavy week in Los Angeles, a California inspired playlist, and three recipes to bring comfort and nourishment.

Plus, a bit of This & That.

We Are Stronger Together

It's been another heavy week as Los Angeles continues to experience one of the worst natural disasters in history. The immense tragedy and breadth of destruction are impossible to process. But in this overwhelming time of darkness and uncertainty, the city proves to be one filled with angels. From the firefighters putting their lives on the line every day to the volunteers making thousands of meals for those who've been displaced to the brands offering free products so people can rebuild their closets to individuals dedicating their days to building devices to help people sift through ash to find whatever might remain, watching my hometown come together with an outpouring of love, support, and selflessness fills my soul with hope for the future. We know it's a long road ahead, but Los Angeles a city of dreamers, dreamers who are resilient, dreamers who have grit, and dreamers who know how to realize a dream no matter how hard or how long that dream may take to come to fruition. Thank you to all the dreamers there right now, putting our city back together, one piece at a time.

There've been many moments of us feeling helpless and overcome with sadness, but then we're quickly reminded that there is so much a person can do, even from afar. We've spent days checking in again and again on our friends and family in LA; we had our team scour our Valleybrink Road warehouse looking for items that can help and donated car seats, waterproof blankets, and hygiene products. We donated to the firefighters so they can continue to be supported while they risk their lives to keep LA safe and to friends who have lost everything. And we've pledged to donate a portion of all sales this week at Valleybrink Road to the schools these fires have destroyed. I know that if we all keep doing a little bit, things will start to get a little bit better day by day.

And, as a final thought, I hope this newsletter continues to bring you joy and connection. Please turn to it and use this archive of recipes to help someone you know who is in need. I know that I've always found deep comfort and purpose in cooking for others, and also deep gratitude when someone has cooked for me in a time of need. I still think about the roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits Rachael Sheridan dropped off days after I had a c-section and how that meal made me feel so loved and cared for. Maybe it's baking a loaf of homemade banana bread or cooking a batch of quick chicken noodle soup for a family that is hurting right now, or perhaps it's sitting with a grieving friend over turmeric lattes or a cup of healing garlic broth. When the body and mind are emotionally drained, nourishing food makes a world of difference and will help create clarity so they can start to see their path forward. As a final note, if you are a paid subscriber to Barrett and The Boys who has been affected by the fires, please email us at barrett@barrettandtheboys.com, as we would love to gift you a year-long paid subscription, and if you know anyone who has been displaced who would find joy and comfort in our newsletter, please send along their email address. We will gift them a paid subscription as well. Together, we will continue holding each other close, lifting each other up, and spreading love and light as much as possible. We love you.

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LA Forever

Andre compiled hours and hours of amazing songs about LA and California, or that take direct inspiration from that vibe and make you feel like your driving down the PCH. To be played on “Shuffle”…

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Matcha Lattes

*I wrote this post before the fires started, but matcha is filled with anti-oxidants and has shown to boost brain function so perhaps this recipe could be useful to many of you right now.

This is the year of learning to make and perfect things I miss having from the States, starting with a Matcha Latte. A lot of our first year in Italy was being frustrated and bummed that we couldn't get certain foods and flavors we were used to in Los Angeles. So, rather than complaining about it any longer, I will start tackling the list of things I miss and want to have more of in my daily life.

Over the past week, I've been working on making a great one at home with high-quality ingredients, alternating between using my homemade almond milk and whole milk. It's not hard, but it does take a moment if you want to do it right, and I've been finding a lot of calm in stepping into the kitchen for my matcha meditation in the afternoon.

My favorite brand of matcha powder comes from Ippodo Tea Co., a Japanese tea company founded in 1717 in Kyoto and known for its centuries-long dedication to crafting high-quality, traditional teas. I also use their chasen (bamboo matcha whisk) to create a smooth and creamy matcha texture free of clumps.

Here is my recipe for a perfect matcha latte, and I hope this encourages you to start enjoying them, too!

MATCHA LATTES

Makes 2 Lattes

• 2 teaspoons of a high-quality matcha

  (I use one from Ippodo Tea Co.)

• 2 oz of hot water (not boiling)

• 2 cups of homemade almond milk, whole milk or milk alternative of choice

• Optional: 1-2 teaspoons of a sweetener like honey, agave, sugar, or maple syrup. (I personally don't use a sweetener when I make my latte with homemade almond milk as its already sweetened with dates)

Small Fine Mesh Strainer, Ippodo's Sayaka Matcha, and Ippodo's Chasen

Sift the matcha powder into a small bowl using a fine-mesh strainer. This helps eliminate clumps and ensures a smooth texture in the latte.

Slowly add 2 ounces of hot water to the matcha powder. Using a chasen (bamboo matcha whisk) or small regular whisk, whisk the matcha and water together in a "W" or "M" motion for 15-30 seconds, creating a smooth, frothy matcha concentrate.

Next, heat your milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Heat until warm but not boiling.

Once the milk is heated, use a milk frother or a whisk to create a nice foam.

If using a sweetener, add it to the matcha concentrate now and stir to combine. Next, pour the matcha concentrate into two cups, dividing it evenly. Slowly pour the frothy milk into each cup. If you like, top the lattes with a light sprinkle of matcha and serve immediately.

A FEW EXTRA TIPS:

• Quality Matcha: The quality of the matcha is key so make sure to buy a good one.

• Temperature: Keep the water and milk temperature in mind, making sure not to boil anything or make the liquids too hot as this can negatively effect the taste of the latte.

• Sweeteners: Different sweeteners have different flavors and will effect the overall taste of the latte. Play around with them to see which ones you enjoy the most.

• Milk Alternatives: The same goes for milk alternatives. They all have different flavors so alternate with your favorites to see what you like best.

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Soft and Chewy Flatbread

This is a recipe that brings comfort and will stay for several days. These soft, pillowy pockets are perfect for scooping up your favorite hummus or tzatziki. The dough is quick to prepare and easy to roll out, making it ideal for a weekday lunch or a casual dinner spread. I've been serving it for dinner with many different things on the table so everyone can build their flatbread, and the boys have been loving it.