Will you just look at this gorgeous plate of summer goodness? Heirloom tomatoes, beans, hunks of toasted bread, fresh herbs — I mean, c’mon, does it get better than this? You’ll want this recipe for Heirloom Tomato and Bean Panzanella Salad, trust me. Get it on writes4food.com!
What to do with the crop of red bell peppers from the garden or farmers’ market? Make jam, of course! Sweet and a bit spicy (you can up the spice level to suit your taste), this is the perfect accompaniment to a salty cheese like Manchego. Inspired by a dish we had on vacation earlier this year. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
This Summer Vegetable Casserole recipe is the perfect summer-to-fall transition dish, to make while summer produce is still abundant and the weather cools off enough to where you’re OK with the idea of using the oven to make dinner. We love it as a main dish with a sliced tomato salad, but it’s also a great side for grilled chicken or steak. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
If you’re tired of sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella — the classic Caprese salad — try it with freshly made ricotta cheese instead. Homemade ricotta? Absolutely! Super easy and fun. Start with high quality dairy (we love Snowville Creamery products) and let heat and acid work their magic! Get the recipe for homemade ricotta cheese on writes4food.com!
In last week’s Cincinnati Enquirer, I shared this recipe for Zucchini and Cheddar Pizza, part of an article on what to do with all. that. zucchini. besides zucchini bread. Sooooo simple: shredded zucchini, shredded cheddar, pizza crust, breadcrumbs + some quality time in a hot oven. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
In advance of National Trail Mix Day on August 31 (who knew that was a *thing*?), here’s my favorite homemade trail mix recipe. My ideal mix is a salty-sweet combo with mostly healthy stuff (whole grain cereal, unsalted nuts, raisins) plus some Reese’s Pieces. I’ll be packing this along on our next road trip. Let my trail mix recipe inspire you to try your own combination: see it on writes4food.com!
Please pardon a little garden-success boasting here, but you have to see these figs! We’ve discovered how easy and rewarding it is to grow figs: the tree itself is a beautiful accent on the patio, and just last week it exploded with dozens of fat, ripe fruits. Figs, meet your new BFF: prosciutto. Get inspired to try growing a fig, and get a simple recipe for figs and prosciutto!
My cookbook, The Findlay Market Cookbook, is Cincinnati’s local cookbook — a celebration of local food as it’s best represented by Cincinnati’s historic public market.
In addition to sharing easy recipes here, I’m the editor of Edible Ohio Valley magazine and the author of “The Findlay Market Cookbook.” I’m a journalist, writer and editor focused on food, wellness and creativity. I love to speak about local food and teach casual cooking classes around the Cincinnati region.
