Summertime hits
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 3:23PM 
It is beautiful out.
No wait, let me say it again for those who feel differently about heat than I do. It is hot. It is humid, with clear sunshine interspersed with rather-impressive thunderstorms and torrential rain.
Now I'll admit, I am a lucky one; I am one of those sorts that lives for heat and revels in temperatures others may consider rather sweltering. Dry heat or sticky with humidity, I will always choose a day that is blistering over a day that is remotely cold.
I even take particular joy the dramatic tendencies of our climate. There is something wholly romantic about a midday thunderstorm. The day suddenly turns to dusk, the air heavy and thick with moisture; and afterwards, who cannot enjoy the green, green, green smell of wet grass and soaking leaves, and the reward of a cool breeze. Even as I write this, rain is pouring through trees alight with sunshine and I can hear not-so-distant peals of thunder.
But, even though I consider the weather to be lovely and sultry, I can see my loved ones virtually wilting as the days go on. And so I feel compelled to aid as only I know how - with food.
While I will admit my days have been busier as of late, what with the arrival of our newborn son and the constant entertainment that is his big brother, I have still managed to get back in the kitchen. Like the lovely familiarity of a tune you've hummed for a lifetime, getting back to cooking and baking has brought me the satisfaction of beloved habits. In this mood I have been looking over my cookbook collection, rediscovering old favourites that somehow seem new again.
With that in mind, I have brought together a few of my best-loved recipes I hope will keep you cool for the summer nights ahead.
Reader Comments (11)
Absolutely gorgeous photography :)
your photos are breathtaking. and mouthwatering. i like!
I'm in Phoenix and have the exact opposite feelings as you regarding heat vs. cold. We positively reveled in the cold when we lived in Montreal, but, alas, our permanence there wasn't meant to be. Funny how the grass is always greener... Can't wait to try the chickpea recipe!
They surely all make me hungry!
You simply can't go wrong with chickpeas, feta, and a simple vinaigrette on a hot day. That salad looks so fresh and light.
What beautiful photos! I'm happy to have come across your blog.
Thanks so much everyone for the compliments on the photos; looking over the archives it is interesting to see them all together.
trisha, I have long said that Montreal (where I was born) is my favourite city in Canada. I would honestly live there in a heartbeat, save for the thought of those winters! Admittedly, if I have a good sweater and a warm pair of mitts, I might be tempted to brave those blustery days for that city. Hope Phoenix is treating you well!
It sounds like the chickpea salad is a popular one; I will say I find myself making a lot of these heartier main course salads these days. Chickpeas are so versatile in this regard, I always have them in my pantry. Cannellini beans with good quality canned tuna, some blanched veggies, red onion and a lemon vinaigrette are also great.
Enjoy your summer!
Tara, your pictures are delicious. Such a lovely blog - and those blackberries, and all your food, are making me reach for a midnight snack. Keep up the tasty work!
I am just like you...will take the heat over the cold! The winters in Ottawa kill me! I'm a fan of your blog and have given you an award. http://www.whiskblog.com/2008/07/more-this-and-that.html" REL="nofollow">Check it out!
Your pictures are amazing!
Shari@http://www.whiskblog.com/" REL="nofollow">Whisk: a food blog
Simply beautiful
gorgeous! loving your summer treats and still not loving the humidity, the heat, the amber rain and the thunderstorms lol
I'm thrilled to have just found you by doing a search online. I love youre site and photos. Hope you don't mind if I snoop around a bit more.