Summer is all about casual entertaining for me. It’s too hot and too busy to be hosting elaborate dinner parties. I love drop-in, come as you are drinks or cook-outs, or the cold supper. I got pretty good at these during the pandemic for patio “parties”. I tried to bring back the English phrase “cold collation” but alas. It’s a breezy way to entertain - a spread of cold … [Read more...] about Whipped Feta with Za’atar Roasted Tomatoes
Fruit and Vegetables
Smoky Bacon Corn Casserole
I love, love, love a creamy summer corn casserole (or corn pudding). I mean, I pretty much love all things corn from Caramelized Corn Pudding to zesty Chimichurri Corn Casserole or sophisticated Parmigiano Basil Baked Corn, I am shucking those ears all summer long. Twist up the ingredients on a classic recipe and you end up with a whole new experience. … [Read more...] about Smoky Bacon Corn Casserole
Blueberry Swirl Cake
Summer celebrations sometimes get short shrift. People are scattered around on vacations, the weather can be downright unpleasant, school is out and the kids are away. But they still deserve as much fanfare as any other time of year. But I do understand (and am victim to it myself) that the will and energy to create elaborate dishes just isn’t there. Being in the hot and stuffy … [Read more...] about Blueberry Swirl Cake
Blueberry Cobbler Loaf
Bursting with blueberries. That’s how I like all things blueberry in the summer when beautiful berries are in season. I rarely buy a blueberry muffin, because I find them so insipid with a small portion of berries, and those flown in from a distance out of season. And to be perfectly honest, I prefer a loaf like this to a muffin. A big slab of blueberry studded, sweet and rich, … [Read more...] about Blueberry Cobbler Loaf
French Potato Salad
I make this salad a lot in the summer, mainly when I know I need some kind of starchy side to a grilling session or a summer meal but I can’t come up with anything else. Not that it’s a lesser form of potato salad (its actually my favorite) but because it is sort of a back pocket recipe for me. I just know how to do it and it doesn’t take a lot of faffing about. I kind of think … [Read more...] about French Potato Salad