Nothing beats a nice summer BBQ with fresh, seasonal foods and good company. Even when you're not at a BBQ or special occasion, you can still bring in the bounty of summer with these four recipes. All of them incorporate in-season produce. I highly recommend going to the local farmers market and picking up the ingredients for these recipes from there, as it will enhance your dishes greatly.
Summer is my favorite season, hands down. That's why I'm always so excited when June 21st rolls around (it means summer is officially here!). It reminds me of days spent with my friends, good laughs, and pool parties. Throughout my childhood, I would be in the pool practically every day in the summer. I lived in an apartment complex (and still do) that had a community pool for residents only. All my friends would always be there and we'd spend hours upon hours swimming, playing pool games, and just goofing off.
I’ve been writing these monthly produce guides for quite some time now, and I have to be honest with you—this month may very well be offering the best produce to date. This June, do your taste buds a favor by picking or purchasing these five produce items: basil, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and watermelon.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner – frittatas are great any time of day. The best part is you can add whatever you like! Whether you only have a handful of herbs or are down to your last head of garlic, frittatas are the perfect way to utilize what's left in the kitchen. Traditionally an Italian dish, frittatas were whipped up with leftovers or what little remained in the fridge. The fact that the dish was fried, friggere, in a skillet is how it got its name. Usually served as a snack or appetizer, frittatas are easy to toss together to curb the appetite.
Let’s face it…summer would be incomplete without a good hammock hang and a fellow book in your lap. Summer, by its nature, is filled with the energy of the sun and the light of transformation. With that sentiment in mind, here is a list of 7 books that will bend your perspective, provoke inquiry, cultivate an open mind, inspire truth and encourage transformation.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
The credit for this delicious and rather eclectic salad mix is in part due to a friend of mine who introduced me to putting apricots (which are currently in season) into a salad. Personally, I would never have thought to add apricots but let me be perhaps the first to tell you, the combination is brilliant! If apricot is not your thing, you can always replace them with blueberries, which are also a tasty seasonal salad addition. Both create a wonderful blend of tastes with goat cheese and walnuts, which will also be a key element in this dish.