What's cooking at Valerie's Place this week 🍲 10.19

Hi {{first_name | Friends}},

Chili weather has officially landed at my house, and I couldn’t be happier. This week, Chris Colfer pulls up a seat in the wine cave. I get a very honest talking-to about my garage. And Jordan Catapano and I mix up a Halloween margarita that is black as night. And I’d love to see you join us at book club next week! Pull up a chair and bring something warm.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok and tag us whenever you cook along. 🍳

📚 SAVE THE DATE: NOW WE’RE READING

Next Tuesday, October 27, we’re sitting down to talk about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I’d love for you to be there. Now We’re Reading is our book club, and it’s one of my favorite things we do. We swap what we loved, what surprised us, and what we’re still thinking about.

The book club is part of VP Preferred, and I’m giving you your first month free so you can join us. Use code READWITHVAL at checkout to get a free month of VP Preferred, and come read along with me.

Code READWITHVAL gives you your first month of VP Preferred free. Then $10/month. Cancel anytime. Code expires on 10/24.

🍷 STILL HOT IN CLEVELAND

Todd and I welcomed one of my favorite people to the wine cave: Chris Colfer. You know him from Glee, The Land of Stories, and Hollywood Game Night, and I’ll always remember him as Victoria’s son on Hot in Cleveland. We talk about his very first multi-cam (he thought it was heaven), how he started singing in his grandparents’ church, and why neither of us can watch ourselves on screen.

🔥 But the good stuff is in Still Steamy. Todd makes Chris and me play “Lima or Cleveland?” We have to guess whether a wild plot line came from Glee or Hot in Cleveland. Think duct-taped to a wall, couture outfits made from shower curtains, and Jesus in a grilled cheese. I am famously terrible at games. Chris is not.

Then Chris tells us about the campy horror movie he made just in time for Halloween. He also tells the story of what happens when you grab the wrong mic mid-song, shares what 70 shows in two and a half months does to a person, and answers a voicemail from a member in Seattle.

You can’t watch Still Steamy on YouTube or Spotify. It’s only for members. Join for $2/month to unlock Still Steamy, your first week is free.

🎧 On YouTube and Spotify - a few weeks behind VP, catch up now:
→ Watch on YouTube
→ Listen on Spotify

🎃 NOW VAL’S COOKING: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Jordan from This Girl Walks Into a Bar is back, and this time we’re mixing up something spooky: a pitch-black margarita mocktail. She uses her organic citrus mixer, a little agave, a Tajín rim, and activated charcoal to turn it dark as night. Fair warning: charcoal stains, so maybe skip the white costume.

Jordan has a treat for you too: 30% off your entire order of her mixer line at thisgirlmixerssnacks.com with code VALERIE.

This Halloween Special of NVC is available for all members of Valerie’s Place, including free members, as long as you’re signed in!

🧢 QUICK QUESTION

🎬 GETTING NAKED: THE PODCAST

My garage is a lot. There’s my mom’s sewing machines, my dad’s scrapbooks, a pool table, and about a thousand copies of my second cookbook. I don’t want my son to be the one sorting through it someday, so I called Ryen Toft of Simply Luxe Organizing. Her line stuck with me: “We weren’t meant to be the family museum.” We talk about starting small (20 minutes is plenty), the red dot test, and how to honor the people you love without keeping every box.

Members get the Full Reveal, where Ryen shares her favorite organizing hacks and I beg her to come to my garage. Join for $2/month to watch the Full Reveal, and your first week is free.

💛 For Valerie’s Place members: Ryen is offering $500 off a Simply Luxe service when you mention I sent you. Learn more at simplyluxe.org.

Follow Ryen @SimplyLuxeOrganizing

🎧 New episodes every Friday on Valerie's Place and the following Monday on Spotify and YouTube.
→ ▶️ Watch on YouTube
→ 🎵Listen on Spotify

AVA REPLAY: BACKSTAGE AT DREW

Missed last week’s AVA? I answered your questions from the chat live from backstage at Drew, and the replay is waiting for you. Available with VP Preferred and VIP.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

It’s officially chili season, and this is the one I make when I want something cozy that doesn’t feel heavy. Chicken gets poached right in the pot, then shredded. Half the white beans get blended to make it creamy, with no cream needed. Then you pile on whatever toppings your people love. Cheese, avocado, a handful of crushed tortilla chips… I’m not here to judge your bowl.

Reserved members and above can watch the full episode and everyone has access to the recipe as long as you’re logged in.

👻 VAL’S HALLOWEEN PLAYLIST

It’s spooky season, and I’ve pulled together my favorite Halloween treats and seasonal meals in one place. There are baked pumpkin doughnuts, a spiced pumpkin mocha, S’mores popcorn, mini caramel apples, and a butternut squash and arugula pizza when you need dinner too. There are 8 episodes and 10 recipes, so you can cook your way through October.

📅 OCTOBER CALENDAR

See you at Valerie's Place!

Valerie 💛

STILL NEED HELP SIGNING UP?

Need help signing up or picking a plan? Watch our step-by-step video here or email [email protected]