Weekly Mix: Fresh Flavors, Summer Adventures, and Inspiring Discoveries

Another week has gracefully floated by, and honestly, I’m left wondering where the time has gone! Is it just me, or has the entire month of May been operating at warp speed? I have a strong suspicion that June is preparing to follow suit, whisking us away into the heart of summer before we’ve even had a chance to fully soak it all in. This rapid pace, while sometimes disorienting, also brings a wonderful sense of energy and new possibilities, encouraging us to savor every moment and embrace the exciting changes each week brings.

Chicago finally decided to bless us with its first true week of glorious summer weather, and it has been nothing short of a dream. The city feels alive, buzzing with outdoor activities, and the air is filled with that unmistakable warmth that just makes you want to be outside. Tonight, we’re making the most of it by heading out to dinner at Avec, one of my all-time favorite culinary spots in the city. I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing this experience with my god sister, Caitlin, who is in town visiting for the night. Avec’s cozy ambiance and incredible Mediterranean-inspired small plates always promise an unforgettable meal, and I can’t wait to introduce her to some of their signature dishes. We’re also planning to hit up the bustling farmer’s market again tomorrow morning. Last week’s trip was incredibly inspiring from a cooking standpoint, overflowing with vibrant, seasonal produce that immediately sparked new recipe ideas in my mind. In fact, that very visit prompted me to share this shaved vegetable arugula salad recipe with you right away – a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that perfectly captures the essence of fresh, market-driven ingredients.

In other exciting news, I recently took a big leap and shared my very first recipe video over on Instagram a few days ago! This endeavor has been a powerful reminder for me to consciously break out of my comfort zone, which was actually one of my primary goals for this year. The idea of venturing into video content felt daunting, and I must have deliberated over that video, fine-tuning and second-guessing, for weeks before finally mustering the courage to just put it out into the world. The vulnerability of trying something new, especially in a public sphere, can be intense. However, the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive and incredibly encouraging. Thank you so much to everyone who watched, commented, and shared their kind words – your support truly made the effort worthwhile and reaffirmed my decision to explore new creative avenues. It’s moments like these that truly fuel the passion behind what I do and inspire me to continue pushing boundaries.

Weekly Discoveries: Culinary Delights & Lifestyle Gems

As the days grow longer and the summer air fills with anticipation, I’ve been diving into a delightful array of new discoveries and revisiting some beloved classics. Here’s a closer look at what has captured my attention and brought me joy this week, from kitchen essentials to captivating true crime:

The Perfect Popsicle Mold

I finally took the plunge and ordered a popsicle mold, just in time for the much-anticipated Popsicle Week! For those unfamiliar, Popsicle Week is a super fun event at the end of June where a collective of talented food bloggers come together to share an incredible variety of creative and refreshing popsicle recipes. I heard fantastic things from several friends about this particular mold, praising its durability and ease of use, so I decided to go with their recommendation. I’m already envisioning countless batches of homemade, fruit-filled popsicles, a perfect antidote to the summer heat and a delightful treat for both kids and adults. Get ready for some seriously cool recipes coming your way!

Revisiting My Favorite Green Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

This week, I found myself craving a comforting yet incredibly flavorful dish, leading me to dive back into the archives to remake my green lentil soup with coconut milk and Indian spices. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough – it is unequivocally one of the best lentil soups I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. The creamy richness from the coconut milk, combined with the aromatic warmth of the Indian spices, transforms humble lentils into an extraordinary culinary experience. It’s hearty, deeply satisfying, and brimming with layers of complex flavors that make it a truly standout recipe, perfect for a cozy evening or a nutritious lunch.

A Fantastic (and Free!) Meal Planning Chart

I stumbled upon a truly fabulous meal planning chart this week that, while designed with kids in mind, is genuinely helpful for anyone looking to streamline their weekly cooking routine. It’s completely free and offers a clear, organized way to plan out meals, snacks, and even grocery lists. Embracing meal planning has been a game-changer for me, reducing stress, saving time, and ensuring healthier eating throughout the week. This particular chart’s simplicity and user-friendly design make it an excellent resource for families and individuals alike, proving that getting organized in the kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated.

The Ultimate Greek Pasta Salad for Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, my eyes were immediately drawn to what promises to be the best type of pasta salad to add to your holiday menu. Now, I’ll admit, I don’t typically find myself gravitating towards pasta salads – they often fall short in terms of flavor and texture for my palate. However, this Greek-inspired version, packed with fresh cucumbers and tender artichoke hearts, looks absolutely incredible. The combination of bright, tangy flavors and crisp vegetables has me instantly wanting to make this for my next gathering. It’s a refreshing twist on a classic picnic staple, and I have a feeling it will be a crowd-pleaser.

The Importance of Mise en Place in the Kitchen

My talented friend Kristin recently penned a truly insightful post on the profound importance of mise en place, offering invaluable tips on how to seamlessly implement this essential culinary concept into your daily cooking routine. For those unfamiliar, “mise en place” is a French culinary phrase meaning “everything in its place,” referring to the organization and arrangement of ingredients and equipment before cooking. It’s a practice that not only significantly reduces stress and chaos in the kitchen but also elevates the entire cooking process, making it more efficient and enjoyable. Kristin’s article brilliantly highlights how preparing all your components beforehand can lead to better results, especially in baking, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to refine their kitchen habits.

Celebrating Ice Cream Season with My Top Three Favorites

It’s official – ice cream season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a delightful scoop (or two!) of homemade goodness. To mark this joyous occasion, I’ve put together a mini round-up of my absolute favorite ice cream recipes from the blog. Each one offers a unique and unforgettable flavor profile: first, the surprisingly sophisticated and subtly sweet Olive Oil Stracciatella Ice Cream, with delicate shards of chocolate; next, the wonderfully refreshing and aromatic Fresh Vanilla Mint Ice Cream, perfect for a warm evening; and finally, the deeply rich and caramelized notes of my Burnt Sugar Ice Cream with Chocolate Bits, a truly decadent treat. If you’re looking for an excuse to dust off your ice cream maker, now is the time!

The Best Breakfast for Asparagus Season

As we approach the final weeks of the glorious asparagus season, I couldn’t help but highlight what I consider to be the best breakfast to truly savor this fleeting vegetable: asparagus cream baked eggs. This dish sounds absolutely divine – imagine tender asparagus folded into a creamy base, topped with perfectly baked eggs, creating a breakfast that is both elegant and incredibly comforting. It’s a wonderful way to utilize the last of the season’s fresh asparagus, offering a sophisticated and satisfying start to your day that feels like a special occasion.

Netflix’s Chilling New Docuseries: ‘The Keepers’

As a self-proclaimed fanatic of Netflix’s ‘Making a Murderer,’ I am beyond excited about the streaming giant’s new docuseries, ‘The Keepers.’ The true-crime genre has a captivating hold on me, and this new series looks poised to deliver another deeply engrossing and unsettling mystery. You can read all about it here, but from what I’ve gathered, it delves into the unsolved murder of a beloved nun and the decades of secrets and alleged cover-ups that followed. If you, like me, are drawn to intricate real-life mysteries and compelling storytelling, this is definitely one to add to your watch list immediately.

Crispy Potatoes Anna and Smitten Kitchen’s New Cookbook

I honestly can’t decide what I’m more excited about: these absolutely mouth-watering crispy Potatoes Anna or the highly anticipated release of Smitten Kitchen’s second cookbook! Deb Perelman’s recipes are always reliable, inspiring, and truly delicious, and these perfectly golden, thinly sliced potatoes layered with butter are no exception. They look like the ultimate side dish, crispy on the outside and tender within. Coupled with the excitement of a new collection of recipes from one of my favorite food bloggers, it’s a double dose of culinary joy that has me buzzing with anticipation.

Indulge in Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies & Discover ‘Love Real Food’

My batch of carrot cake breakfast cookies disappeared so quickly this week that I barely got to enjoy them myself! They are an absolute game-changer for busy mornings, offering a delicious and wholesome start to the day that tastes like a treat. I highly recommend making a big batch of these this Sunday to get you through the upcoming week – they’re perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or healthy snacks. In other meal planning news, I’m planning to make a bunch of meals out of the wonderful cookbook, Love Real Food, for dinner next week. It’s filled with wholesome, approachable recipes that focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, making healthy eating both easy and enjoyable.

Seeking Your Expertise: Swimsuit Season Dilemmas

And finally, on a slightly less culinary note but very much a current preoccupation: I am desperately looking for flattering one-piece swimsuits. The search has proven to be quite the challenge, and I could really use some help and recommendations from my wonderful readers! If you’ve found a one-piece that makes you feel confident and comfortable, please share your secrets. Help a girl out! Okay, thanks, and bye for now!