August '22 Newsletter
beautiful Rhode Island
Hello and Happy August!
It’s peak summer where I live right now. We went swimming not far from the spot in the above photo early yesterday morning, and it was the most tranquil experience. The water was that perfect balance of very refreshing but not too cold, as well as crystal clear. I’ll be thinking back on that moment for quite some time.
Summer produce is also at its most abundant. The farm stands are overflowing with a rainbow of tomatoes, eggplant, summer squashes, corn, bell peppers, and other things that I’m surely forgetting. Summer cooking the easiest kind of cooking, since the sun-fed produce speaks for itself. I’ve been favoring really simple meals lately, since the produce is so lovely, but also to keep any cooking heat to a minimum (especially during the week-long heatwave we had recently). More on those strategies below.
This month’s video is a summer edition of a seasonal cooking class. The recipes are all about celebrating the ease and joy of summer cooking: Panzanella, Ratatouille, and Stone Fruit Galette.
Seasonal Pleasures
⁕ I think eggplant might be a bit of a polarizing vegetable? Those who dislike it really dislike it, and those who love it are obsessed. I’m in the latter camp and have been since I was a kid, probably because my grandma makes the most heavenly ajapsandali, a Georgian eggplant dish. I also make my mom’s marinated eggplant recipe non-stop during eggplant season. This recipe has converted at least five eggplant haters into eggplant fans right before my eyes. It is so good and the perfect thing to make during this time of year.
⁕ Marinated beans - another dish that I’ve been making often and in big batches, in an effort to heat up the kitchen less and go outside more. I cook a big pot of beans and marinate them in olive oil and vinegar with whatever veggies looked good to me at the farmers market. Here’s a recipe, which can be modified endlessly.
⁕ For any of your bbq, potluck, picnic, or beach hang needs, try this pasta salad. It’s packed with summer veggies, herbs, olives, and dressed with a super simple dressing made with all pantry staples. It travels very well, too!
Wishing you a peaceful August!
