I recently made Landon a Father’s Day dinner entirely from Wishbone Kitchen’s cookbook, and everything turned out incredibly well. I’d not used her cookbook before but was impressed, and it was exactly the peak-summer Americana menu I was after, making round use of in-season vegetables and herbs (as well as kid-friendly flavors — I was a little shocked that they gobbled up the tomato tart, as they’re not usually big into tomatoes! The recipe makes them incredibly sweet.). She has some cheffy steps in there like blanching herbs for pesto (prevents browning) and measuring ingredients by weight, which made me trust her with the entire menu, not having cooked a thing from her before, but heads up that these are not exactly “one pot meals.” Anyhow, the menu (all from her cookbook):
Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Galette (recipe online here)
Basil Blueberry Lemonade cocktails (I ended up adding a tiny bit of simple syrup as they were TART and did not add the seltzer — this was more logistical, as I filled the glasses with the cocktail mix before realizing I was meant to add seltzer, but I thought delicious all the same)
Shake and Bake Hot Honey Chicken (Served over salad of cherry tomatoes and arugula — I set aside tomatoes for the kids and swapped in non-hot honey for their portion)
Corn on the cob
Green beans dressed with butter
For dessert, I made mini dot cakes per the viral trend, but this was not from her cookbook. I used this recipe for scratch-made funfetti cake (quite good, all the egg whites in it give it an almost Angel Food Cake flavor and incredible fluffiness) and this recipe for buttercream frosting. Then my kids and I used mini jam jars to assemble.
While preparing this meal (and it did take me a full day to make everything), I asked Magpies on Instagram what cookbooks they were reaching for this summer, and the number one most common response was Nights and Weekends by Alexis deBoschnek, which I’d not heard of but has apparently made quite a splash for itself. I ordered it immediately.
Landon does most of the cooking around here, but one summer cookbook we’ve relied on for years as East Coast seafood lovers: Jasper White’s Summer Shack cookbook. Can’t rec more whether you’re angling for something ambitious like a clambake or seeking a good summer fish chowder. He also has a lot of handy how-tos, like how to pick a lobster, how to bone fish, etc.
What about you? What are your top recs for summer cookbooks?
Post-Scripts.
+The only marg recipe you’ll ever need.
+This is also a really fun summer cocktail.
+Landon’s buttermilk biscuit recipe.
Shopping Break.
+PSA that SoldOut is running a private sale today through 7/5. Use code PRIVATE20 for 20% off this edit. This includes our favorite scoopneck tank!
+Wore my favorite gingham top for the entire affair described above. Perfect styling if I don’t say so myself. (Vibe for less here — it’s 40% off this week! — or here.) I wore it beneath my favorite nautical cardi when inside — but wanted to mention that Marea’s take on this trend was just restocked for pre-order in all sizes!
+While you’re at Marea — this skirt is in my cart. SO GOOD.
+Insanely chic denim dress.
+Rhone has a new pair of cotton shorts that are FLYING. They’re more like a casual/daytime wear versus performance piece. Super chic. I love the line they walk between exercise and everyday. Use code SHOOP20. I also love this new elastic-waist tennis skirt.
+While we’re talking our favorite fitness brands, you must see this limited edition Rhoback Melbourne fitness dress! I own and love this in the racing green color. The white with the custom embroidery is so fun.
+Two Quince items to order right now: this sweater, this gingham mini. I got it in the red before it sold through. Will report back!
+Love the wide stripes on this throw-and-go dress. Also intrigued by this new crochet skirt. Cute!
+One of my favorite summer knits. I have in the red stripe as well as the brown stripe. Pair with the viral Donni track pants for a cool travel day look. (Look for less here.)
+My favorite brand of kids sneakers in really fun new colorways.
+Chic netted Longchamp bag on sale here. Really fun for a summer statement. They also have the gorgeous leather bucket bag on sale for 50% off in a fun color — these are really beautifully made. I’ve seen the one in solid saddle brown leather IRL before and it’s spectacular.
+Perfect sexy-chic black midi dress. I love the way this brand walks the line between “barefoot in the backyard casual” and “could be dressed up if need be to meet the parents.”
+Our favorite swimsuit, restocked in a few colors! Runs TTS.
+A great summer blouse for under $100.
+Two melamine summer trays I ordered for this summer (the lobster one seen above!): this large oval one and this floral flag one. How cute?! Both are on sale for around $20. I also picked up these adorable lobster cocktail napkins (and matching paper plates) with the intention of giving as a hostess gift but treated myself to the set, as you can see above 🙂
+Great sale happening at Kule. Don’t miss this terry dress, their iconic modern long tee, or this perfect terry sweatshirt.
+A friend of mine sent me these beautiful handmade glass tumblers (seen above) created by storied glassblowing studio Simon Pearce for Via Carota in NYC for my birthday. They are spectacular. Super heavy in a pleasing way. These will be our white negroni / blueberry lemonade glasses. For margs, we love these and always get compliments on them.
+Eyeing these outdoor striped cushions from the HHH collab with WS! Also come in a bolster length.
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I always enjoy your “shopping break” section, thanks so much!
Thank you!!! xx
Gjelina is one I always go back to for inspiration, very california. I just got A House Party In Tuscany by Amber Guiness, and Boustany by Sami Tamimi (ottolenghi’s coauthor and collaborator). Dan Pelosi’s party cookbook is a good time. And An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler is a forever favorite but especially when I don’t want to cook because it’s so hot.
Oo these are fantastic! TYSM!!