I have waxed poetic about my love for fresh blackberries before, with my Tennessee Blackberry Jam Cake, and at this time of year, when the big juicy berries are all over the farmers markets, I can hardly resist. I find that I buy way more than I can consume on their own, sprinkled with a little sugar. Luckily, they are amazing in baked goods like these tender muffins. A … [Read more...] about Blackberry Orange Muffins
Fruit and Vegetables
Summer Squash Casserole
I honed my squash cooking techniques years ago when I first started planning events for a living. I had two wonderful clients planning a big, beautiful outdoor wedding for their daughter on their sprawling, picturesque property. The father of the bride had an elaborate garden, raised, tiered beds all surrounded by a critter-proof cage. Every time I came out to meet with my … [Read more...] about Summer Squash Casserole
Fire and Ice Tomatoes
I love community cookbooks. The great and broad recipe collections gathered together by Junior Leagues, Junior Auxiliaries, symphony groups, historic homes, garden clubs. I have a large and ever-growing collection of these treasures. Some of them are quite professional nowadays, with editors and trained photographers. But I particularly love the old-school … [Read more...] about Fire and Ice Tomatoes
Peaches Poached with Basil
Peaches are to me the great herald that summer has well and truly begun. Just when you start to feel the weather change from warm to downright hot and the air from breezy to thick with humidity, peaches make their appearance at markets and roadside stands. At summer camp, you could always get your hands on a peach, and biting into that juicy, fuzzy flesh, the juice dripping … [Read more...] about Peaches Poached with Basil
Succotash Salad
I know. Frankly, it’s just fun to say. Succotash. I could go here with Sweet Summer Succotash Salad. Sunny Season Succotash Salad. Or the trite but amusing Sufferin’ Succotash Salad. But more than being a pleasure to say, it’s a pleasure to eat. Crispy corn, creamy limas, crunchy bell pepper in a sweet-tart Vidalia dressing. It screams summer. And it looks like a big bowl … [Read more...] about Succotash Salad
