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Mindful Living | Summer
There is a fullness to summer with its fiery extremes and the sheer abundance of everything we planned during spring coming to fruition. Flowers overflow in the garden and make their way to our tables. Tomatoes ripen on the vine and taste better than any other time of year. Light and heat, long days to linger over beautiful meals, and the general sense of life giving us deep moments of exposure characterize this time for me. Harmony with the seasons inspires the meals we make together in our cooking classes and the recipes shared here. When summer rushes in, we feel that burst, and it energizes us. Now that we…
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Summer Fruit Salad
When the summer fruit is this good, treat yourself to an indulgent yet healthy dish that hits all the right sweet, slightly savory, and tangy notes. Champagne vinegar is my preferred way to brighten up a mix of stone fruit, buttery avocado and mango, and blackberries. With its delicate, crisp flavor, it lends just the right amount of acidity. Torn basil leaves add an herbaceous quality. Then I finish it with beautiful sea salt flakes. All the flavors benefit from that little touch. After all, summer is better with a reminder of the sea. Ingredients 2 large nectarines2 apricots⅓ pound cherries¾ cup blackberries1 mango1 avocadoHandful fresh basil leavesExtra-virgin olive oilChampagne…
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Shrimp with Mango Cocktail Sauce
Shrimp cocktail makes a summery appetizer or party dish, and I love to add lobster or crab into the mix. Tie your choice of seafood together with a mango cocktail sauce that’s bright, lightly sweet, and as spicy as you prefer. Here I use both horseradish and serrano pepper for different types of heat, and both ingredients can be adjusted to your preference. What you won’t want to skip is the ripe mango puree that lends essential flavor. After juicing limes for the cocktail sauce, save the halves as they will be needed for poaching the shrimp. If you have lemons, oranges, or other citrus on hand, feel free to…
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Cheddar and Parmesan Gougères (Cheese Puffs)
Light and airy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside, gougères make crowd-pleasing appetizers, snacks, or accompaniments to your favorite mocktail or glass of wine. Watch them puff in the oven then try one, and you’ll know why the French often serve these cheese puffs as the hot bite at an apéro, that beautiful moment to gather before dinner and unwind. Traditionally gougères are made with Comté or Gruyère, but I love the combination of aged cheddar and parmesan in this recipe. The base is pâte à choux, a versatile pastry from which you can make a variety of savory and sweet treats such as éclairs and cream puffs. Instead…
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Vegan Chili
Healthy, cozy comfort foods belong in our weekly meal rotation, and this vibrant chili delivers plenty of plant-based goodness. With a special blend of seasonings, it hits all the savory notes we expect in a meat-based version, except the protein comes from two different types of beans. Consider vegan chili a great option for meatless Monday or simply treat yourself when you’re in the mood for the tastiest dinner. The beans and vegetables in this recipe can easily be swapped for your favorites, especially when garden and farmers’ market options are plentiful. Backyard peppers and squash become so abundant at a certain point in summer that you’ll be happy to…
cooking classes + wholesome recipes + mindful living
