Welcome to The Save, where we ask interesting people what they order when they’re in a pinch.
Kristina Cho, a cookbook author working on her second manuscript and a recipe developer for various national media outlets, knows busy. From a throw-together a trifle for dessert at a friend’s house to Supergoop tinted sunscreen before a last minute shoot, here’s what she’s adding to cart in a pinch. Scroll on for Cho’s favorite “save” orders.
What do you order when…
…you’re swamped on a deadline?
“The manuscript of my next cookbook is due soon and I actually just ordered some Sweetgreen, because I truly can’t cook right now.”
…you just finished the draft of your cookbook and you want to treat yourself?
“I would definitely order a feast of Indian food — always naan, and my favorite dish is malai kofta. If I can’t get Indian food, I’d order myself a sushi boat.”
…you just had a massive day of recipe developing and you need something easy?
“I would order ingredients to make a really good warm sandwich, meaning an eggplant parm or some kind of sub with melted cheese. I’d grab a baguette or a hoagie roll, cheese, mortadella, and a jar of olives to eat on the side.”
…you just won your third James Beard Award?
“The first thing that came to mind was Wendy’s. I’d get myself a big Wendy’s cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, French fries, and a frosty.”
…you have a completely empty kitchen and friends are coming over for happy hour?
“I’d order a lot of cheese — I usually like sharp cheddar, gouda, or manchego — a bunch of cured meats and tinned fish, crackers, pickle-flavored potato chips, and some fun probiotic sodas. Then I would have other people bring alcohol.”
…you’re about to cook on live television but you forgot your makeup bag?
“I’d grab Supergoop tinted sunscreen. If I have that as a base, then I feel like, okay, the show can go on. Maybe I’d get a little bit of concealer, and I’m really into a multi stick that you can use for lips, cheeks, and eyes.”
…your parents are coming for their birthdays but you forgot to buy them gifts?
“For my dad, I would get something chocolate-based. I would either order a brownie from a bakery or look for Malteasers, which he grew up eating in Hong Kong. My mom is a real DIY-er, so I would probably get her a small power tool — maybe a drill or something — that she would love and actually use.”
…your bar cart is looking a bit meh?
“I can cook complicated things but I don’t know how to make cocktails very well. So I would probably order a fun rum of some sort, because then you can make a daiquiri pretty easily.”
…you’re headed to dinner at a friend’s but you dropped the ball on dessert?
“I literally did this the other week. In these scenarios I’ll usually order croissants or palmier cookies — some type of already cooked, flaky pastry. I’ll grab labneh or crème fraiche — something creamy. And then a really interesting honey and whatever fruit is in season. I’d chop up the fruit, crush up the croissants, and make a trifle situation.”
…you’re headed to the beach and you want something fresh to sip on?
“I’d make myself a mango-mint syrup and cut it with ice and sparkling water when I get to the beach.”
…you realize you’re an ingredient household but you really want to be a snacking household?
“I really like Pirate’s Booty. I would also order Oreos, Chex Mix, and probably sour gummy worms. Maybe a little cake or brownies, too.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Kristina Cho
