So here we are, summer is fading slowly and autumn is on our doorstep. I want to take a pause before the warm afternoons slip away and share a few pictures and recipes that remind me of the summer that passed by so quickly (don’t they all do that?). Please excuse my laziness at not writing out recipes, most are posted here as links and if not, I will post in the future!
I had a lot of great adventures this summer. There was all that much needed time at my family’s place in Maine.
There were several visits with Madeline Rose, my favorite new niece.
There was a celebration to honor the 2nd anniversary of our book club, The Fabulous Ladies. We also marked members’ birthdays and tearfully say goodbye to some members leaving NYC.
There was my five year college reunion, where I enjoyed the company of great friends.
There was a second round of goodbyes to Heather, leaving this time for Uganda and the Peace Corps.
There were goodbyes to our dear Rochambeau community in order to say hello to our new place in BK.
And along the way, there was good food (of course).
I made chocolate chip zucchini cookies for a coworker and his wife who have a new baby.
I made a beautiful, refreshing bulgar wheat lentil salad with feta and delicious zucchini pancakes I made last summer, mmmm.
I made a really yummy zucchini dish I’ve made before, courtesy of 101cookbooks (zucchini, feta, onions, dill, nuts–so easy and good!).
I made this roasted heirloom tomato sauce.
How beautiful are these tomatoes?
I’ve said it before, but there is nothing that says summer to me like a gorgeous tomato, thick and full from the summer sun. Make this recipe while you can still find local heirlooms, it is so so very much worth the time and effort. Your kitchen will smell amazing and I guarantee you have never tasted anything quite like it. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I also made iced tea with fresh mint and candied ginger. You should try that–just stick whole stalks of mint right in there and you can find candied ginger with dried fruit. It’s really tasty.
And finally, there was the galette I made for my mom’s birthday. According to wikipedia, the term “galette” is used in French to refer to any kind of free flaky cake. I’d made it last summer, but I was still nervous about the undertaking. It’s not the most intricate dessert I’ve ever made, but it does involve a homemade crust. I also wanted my mom to love it since it was one of her birthday gifts. Luckily, it turned out wonderfully (and tasted quite good too).
It’s raspberries and peaches and nectarines. It’s heavenly, I promise to post the recipe soon in case you want to experience it for yourself.
Well isn’t it fun to take a little trip back to the summer gone by? Wrapping up here, I feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of the summer produce, the vacations, the hot sun on my face, the lightness of my being, of all of that slipping by. But a something else that is just as lovely is here to fill summer’s void–autumn’s colors and crisp air and happy traditions. I hope your summer was relaxing and filled you up with enough memories to keep you warm through the winter.
Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds.
Fall is the artist.
~Takayuki Ikkaku
Yummy, yummy, yummy!!!! Thanks Honey!!