From Puzzles to Cross-Stitch, We've Got the Perfect Recipe Pairing For Any Hobby

Perhaps the one silver lining of staying home is having more time for hobbies. Remember hobbies? Those activities you did just for fun — not because you were trying to start a side hustle, become an influencer, or get a promotion at work.

Now that many of our calendars are looking a bit more empty, we've had time to rediscover the crafts and activities that really bring us joy. That's something worth celebrating, and what better way than with a delectable meal? Read on for the ideal easy recipe pairing for your favorite hobby.

Whether you choose a classic floral design or something a bit more tongue-in-cheek, cross-stitching is a deliciously meditative way to spend an afternoon. Pulling a needle and thread through a piece of fabric over and over is incredibly satisfying — and there’s nothing like the feeling of finally seeing your creation take shape.

A new-school take on an old-fashioned craft could only be matched with an equally beloved comfort food. Delightfully creamy Chicken and Roasted Garlic Risotto certainly fits the bill.

When faced with so much uncertainty, it's only natural that so many of us are gravitating towards things we can control — like gardening. Whether you're planting a modern-day victory garden full of veggies or just regrowing your scallions on the kitchen windowsill, flexing your green thumb feels awesome.

Travel might be off the menu for the moment, but you can still use your hobbies to transport you to a far-flung locale in your mind. Take watercolor painting: one swipe of aqua blue evokes the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, while a sunny yellow might make you think of an Italian lemon orchard.

Food can be similarly transportive. Once you twirl some One-Pot Spaghetti Carbonara around a fork, you can almost forget you're sitting at home instead of dining outdoors in an Italian piazza.

Jigsaw puzzles are finally getting their long-overdue moment in the spotlight. It's so easy to get absorbed in finding the next piece, then the next, then the next . . . until you glance at the clock and realize an hour has passed. Throw in a silky robe and comfy slippers, and you've described the perfect quiet afternoon.

If you do get so absorbed in puzzling that you almost forget to eat dinner, rely on a quick and easy recipe, like Swedish Meatballs. This warm, homey dish comes together in just 30 minutes using common pantry staples.