I was a kid during Y2K, and we ate a lot of spaghetti bolognese. At the time, I wished I were vegetarian; unfortunately, this was strictly prohibited in my strict family. Now, at a suitable distance from my childhood, I can have whatever I like for dinner. This is a Nisha Vora recipe from her blog and it’s great. I made it with spinach fettuccine because I also just wanted it that way.

Sorry about the earworm, if applicable

Didn't look great but tasted great :)

This week I decided to make something using an ingredient that got very popular at the time - cream cheese! It’s fun to see once again how cyclical trends are, considering that in recent years some parts of the internet have been over-using cream cheese.

Recipe adapted from Nigella!

It’s 1999 going on 2000.

I’m just turned 17 and working at my very first job— Jamba Juice (very 90s-00s in its own right)

I’m “doing the Atkins diet,” which my teenaged brain interpreted “eat meat! only meat!” There were no Reddit subs to suggest recipes to me back then, of course.

Next door to the Jamba Juice was a Togo’s. I’d go over there and weasel a cup of meatballs from the dudes working that shift. Was I flirting with them a bit? We’ll never know…

At my elder-millennial age now I realize this was not necessarily the most Atkins applicable option but…hey, I was also taking MetaboLife which is SUCH a Y2K era phenomenon. It all counts.

Pardon how unattractive this photo is

I ended up phoning it in this week. My local grocery stores don't carry taro and I didn't have time to go to the city to try to find some in the international grocery store. I did find some veggie chips with taro so I served with a turkey club.

Did you know that Gilmore Girls debuted in the year 2000? When doing a little research for the theme, I looked at the big movies of the year, tv shows that came out, and what the big food trends were. I was craving comfort food, and Gilmore Goral had the cozy fall vibes I needed. The giant pop tart looks a little ugly, but is tasty, and a nod to Lorelei and Rory’s junk food obsession and the bright colors of the 90s/early 2000s. Sookie’s chipotle and jalapeno Mac and cheese was an easy make that may be on par with a traditional Mac for me. I joked with my partner that the two dishes felt like they’d be the start of a great food truck menu :). Next time I make the Mac, I’m thinking of crushing Snyder’s jalapeño pretzel bites for a crunchy topping to give it an extra texture!

Apparently sundried tomatoes were all the rage in the early 2000s, and I do remember my mom cooking "fancy" meals with them. I'm not sure if this is Y2K fancy, but it sure was good! 😊

Used this recipe except for the red food dye. https://www.cookingclassy.com/red-velvet-pancakes-with-cream-cheese-glaze/

Garnishing tip - some red sugar helps hide lumpy cream cheese glaze if you are impatient with letting the cream cheese soften

This took me back to my childhood!! Store bought bagels, a jar of chunky tomato sauce and pre shredded cheese was my go to. But I decided to go all out and make bagels for the first time. They don’t look perfect but they sure were tasty. Most had everything bagel seasoning. The others were nigella seeds and garlic Maldon salt. My house still smells like garlic!!

For this theme I was inspired by the menu of a local restaurant that was founded in 2000. They specialize in charcuterie, which I felt appropriate since I associate Y2K with parties to welcome the new millenium.