Spicy Miso Farfalline and Where TF is Everyone?
a delicious tiny pasta recipe and an annoying question that will help you
Hi and welcome back to another week of me exposing my personal life, my parents reading about it, and then questioning me on every detail while I slowly back away.
Today, we have a delicious Spicy Miso Pasta with crispy oyster mushrooms (which we burnt but still tasted great). We’ll also be asking you a question that could send you into a deep depression OR change your life for the better. High risk, high reward.
Where TF is Everyone?
If you haven’t had your morning cup(s) of coffee, I’d highly recommend chugging one before continuing. This question came up in the book I was reading, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield, and I’ve been overthinking every activity I do since.
Of any of the activities you do, ask yourself: If I were the last person on Earth, would I still do it?
The question is designed to figure out if the activity is hierarchal or territorial. Hierarchal means defined by other people’s opinions. Territorial means doing it for its own sake. Basically - are you doing things in order to impress people, move up in ranking, etc. Or are you doing it purely because it brings you peace, happiness, or helps clear your head?
“If you’re all alone on the planet, a hierarchical orientation makes no sense. There’s no one to impress. So if you’d still pursue that activity, congratulations. You’re doing it territorially.” If it’s territorial, that act of creation is in alignment for you.
An example he gives is that Arnold Schwarzenegger would still go to the gym even if he were the last man on Earth. That’s his zone, it makes him happy. It’s his “territory.”
When you find an activity that you’d do as the last person on Earth - do more of it, even just for 5 minutes a day. You’ll become more tapped into your genius and flow, which creates happiness from within. The more activities you do with pure intention behind them, the easier life becomes for you. I don’t make the rules. As the last person on Earth, my immediate thought was to run around naked? So I guess look out for me running on to the field at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Like a Monday morning email, I hope this question finds you well. It’s meant to inspire - not send you into existential dread. But I understand how it could be overwhelming if you have no idea where to start. Sorry to ruin your day! I’ll make it up to you with the next story and this week’s recipe.
No Contact Except When Talking About Menstruation
Julie broke 2 years of no contact with her ex in order to send a very important video. Unfortunately, the video was intended for me and it was about slowing down the week before you ovulate, contrary to typical cycle syncing advice!! If she was dating a girl before this, it would have made a little more sense. Too bad (for many reasons), he is a boy.
It was a group DM with me, Julie, and the said ex. It was very weird and everyone felt uncomfortable. They had a quick back and forth addressing the weirdness while I sat back with some popcorn. Now, it’s straight back to no contact.
If you’re trying to figure out a new way to get back in your ex’s head, consider sending them a video about the menstrual cycle.
From One Old Person to Another
Lastly, here is some inspirational advice that my Dad won’t stop saying - “Old people should sprint, [intentionally] fall, and jump.” This is his formula for a long, healthy life. It’s something he’s super passionate about and I know for a fact that if he were the last person on Earth he’d still being doing these three things. He also does all of these activities in jeans. Do with that what you will.
Spicy Brown Butter Miso Pasta
If I were the last person on Earth, I would make this pasta. Farfalline is back. It’s almost like our Lemon & Garlic Cacio e Pepe Farfalline got broken up with and then got revenge bangs. Yes, it kind of looks like mac and cheese with ketchup in the video but don’t tell it that because it’s feeling delusionally confident. Go off queen.
It’s packed with salty, umami flavors from the miso and a bright, spicy kick from the harissa. It has a secret ingredient (literally just scroll down) that adds creaminess. And of course, it’s finished with lemon juice and black pepper.
Recipe
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted vegan butter (we like Miyoko’s)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup harissa paste (we used Mina Spicy Harissa)
2 cups dry farfalline pasta (De Cecco also has it)
5 cups vegan chicken broth or low-sodium vegetable broth
3 tablespoons white miso paste
2 tablespoons tahini
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Brown the butter: In a skillet on medium heat, add the vegan butter. Cook until it starts to foam and brown slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Toast aromatics and pasta: Add the garlic and harissa paste. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. Add the dry pasta and stir to coat all the noodles. Toast for 3 minutes.
Add the broth and dissolve the miso paste: Add the vegan chicken broth and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. While the broth is heating up, measure the miso paste in a small bowl. Ladle out a scoop of warm broth and add it to the miso. Whisk until the miso is pourable and keep to the side.
Cook the pasta: Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the paste is al dente, about 8 minutes.
Stir in miso and tahini: Reduce the heat to low and add the miso mixture and tahini. Continue to gently simmer until the sauce begins to thicken and stick to the noodles, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add lemon and pepper: Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and black pepper. Serve with extra harissa and crispy mushrooms!
Recipe Notes:
Miso is salty so there should be no need for additional salt unless you are feeling some type of way. In that case, we won’t stop you.
Tahini quality does matter - this is the one time we will speak negatively about Trader Joe’s. Their tahini does not pass the vibe check. Soom, Sophia Foods, Seed + Mill, and Whole Food’s 365 Brand are all good to go.
If you don’t like too much spice, grow up and use a mild harissa. Just kidding, never grow up - we’re very anti.
Since we burnt the mushrooms we don’t have a recipe but what I can tell you is we tossed oyster mushrooms in soy sauce, honey, and olive oil and then burnt them to a crisp by setting the oven temperature to 450. Next time I would try it at 425 for 6-8 mins? Do as I say...not as I do.
We’ll be spending the weekend gossiping on coffee walks and watching NCAA Women’s Basketball because girlhood and SPORTS. For real, the tournament has been so good. I can’t and won’t speak for the men’s side but I’m sure it’s okay!! JK, go Clemson.
So much packed into this newsletter. Feel really bad for "Ex"...traumatic text to receive blindly. Last person on earth activities, such a cool way to think. Pasta dish is fire! And lastly, what's wrong with Jeans?? Anyway, learning a lot as always lol!