Ep. 4 Transition Season
Like greeting an old friend
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." — John Ruskin
That transition season feeling is upon us. I truly hope you’ve made the most of your summer. That stepping into fall feels like an old friend you’re excited to see again and tell all about your summer adventures. How you’ve grown, what’s changed, what’s maybe stayed the same. What you’re looking forward to and what you still want to hold on to.
It’s this in-between time of summer berry pies and late summer harvest sweet corn —It’s almost apple cider season, and yet it still ‘let’s go for ice cream tonight’ season.
Speaking of corn:
I’ve been saving all of our demolished corn cobs each time we’ve had corn on the cob. When we’re done, I pop them in the freezer in a gallon zip lock. Once there were about 7-10 cobs, I made a corn stock. Huge fan of no waste while simultaneously making something so subtly + beautifully delicious. There’s a simple thing of beauty to homemade stock. It’s almost it’s own elegance.
I can’t exactly recall the recipe I used for the stock, it was most likely a mash of a few, but here’s some guidelines:
You can’t really do it wrong.
When it goes in your fridge and ultimately to your freezer, label and date it.
Don’t worry about saving your stock for a ‘special occasion’. All occasions are special. If not, you can make them by using homemade stock.
Key aromatics: Bay leaves, onions cut in half, old carrots are great to toss in here - the ones getting all soft & wrinkly in your fridge, peppercorns, salt, thyme (+ other sturdy herbs). Just cook it all down till you can really smell it. Strain + Store.
What I will be using it for:
Corn risotto
Veggie corn chowder soup
…..That’s all I got so far, but it’s enough. Here’s a reference link if you’re into it.
Other corny things:
We planned to picnic with some friends at a local winery. If I could express how excited I was to put our picnic basket into action, let me tell you I was even more elated that it was truly, exceptionally functional in all the best ways.
Oh and, thanks to the literal visual guide that I created just for fun (re Ep 2), that actually came into use. Talk about day dreaming payoff. Of all the times I could have gone overboard, this one was just exactly right.
Herbed goat cheese log - I did indeed. Didn’t have any edible flowers, but some fresh dill, mint, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper – all in the food processor, then rolled back into a log. It was one of the easiest elements of the picnic to create & I feel like has the greatest payoff/reward.
Marinated Olives - I did make a version of marinated olives, but I have some work to do on that one, so these will most likely make an appearance around thanksgiving or possibly a halloween party.
Back to the corn:
I have recently gotten into Allison Roman’s ‘Home Movies’ YouTube channel. I like them because they are entertaining, easy to follow along, efficient - like 20mins or so?
Gave this corn salad a try - this was simple, fun to make and total winner for the group. It helps that I could put pepperoncini on anything, but add some juice to a situation? I’ll be attending that party. Didn’t go for her corn nut crunch texture option, but opted for toasted pepitas. Used crumbled goat feta. Really looking forward to making this again. Oh - day off I added some fresh avocado. hey-o avocad-o.
Corn Muffins from the box
I’m discreetly fascinated by the people who decide which recipes to put on the boxes of things that you use to make the recipes. We were cooking up BBQ and felt like corn muffins would be a lovely addition. Followed exactly from the box. Some are plain, some have thyme + chives in them, some have garden jalapeños. They were all… good. Nothing stellar, but now I know.
Also, I only had halloween + Christmas themed cupcake wrappers so I tried out making my own from parchment. Will definitely work on proportions and do this next round of muffins/cupcakes. Fancy bakery-looking vibes all around.
Non-corn things:
Summer berry crumbler. Literally the easiest thing to whip up in one bowl for breakfast in the morning, leave out on the counter and you’ll have everyone in your house snagging a bit for an afternoon snack.
I based mine off Julia Turshen’s recipe from Simply Julia, give-or-take what I have on hand for the filling. This was strawberries + blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, bit of corn starch and into your baking dish. Crumble is equal parts whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, some melted butter, salt, cinnamon, etc. It’s easily vegan + gluten free adaptable which makes a whole crowd happy when you need to.
Reading:
Honestly, a lot of cookbooks + recipes. Here’s what I have out from the library right now in physical book form:
Notes:
Blue Zones Kitchen- food in it’s simplest of forms is meant to nourish + sustain us. The beauty of simple food is like the beauty of simple design. It’s not hard, but can be hard to do right. The book really kind of brought me back to the essence of what, how food, culture, geography and nature - how they all play a part.
Raw Food, Real World - literally, the cover looks like a 90’s VHS jacket sleeve for a movie about two people who move into the same apt. complex and bond over their love of raw food + wine by candle light. While the nostalgic feelings it gives me might possibly draw me to this book more, I will say some of the recipes feel like hidden gems from a time when probably 1 out of ever 10,000 people ate a raw food diet. The copyright says 2004. I rest my case.
Arty Parties - in my dreams! I’m so here for all the creatives doing things their brains dream up and turning them into reality. This is a fun one, some of the recipes stick with me, I think? perhaps it more just on the themes that I enjoy? not sure.
Giuseppe’s Bakes - Oh, calling all Great British Baking Show Fans. Be still my heart. All is right in the tent. I grabbed this just to see what was doin’.
The Complete Small Plates Cookbook - I’m a grazer at heart. Give me small bites and snacks and dips and chips and all the fun & i’m a happy girl. I inherently trust ATC recipes. This was good, not greatly inspiring, but I think this is a good book for someone looking for an easy go-to reference guide.
My Calabria - There’s a memory of the food from Calabria that I can’t quite put my finger on how to describe. Both my grandparents were from Calabria. Reading this is like taking a vacation. The stories are what I’m truly here for with this book.
Listening to {while I’m working}:
There’s a sweet subtleness to it that seems to lower my heart rate which I think helps me focus. It just feels good to listen to. 10/10 recommend.
Listening to {for good juju}:
I’m not quite sure how I found this playlist, or it found me, but it’s really lovely. It’s got this jazzy, bluesy almost futuristic kind of vibe. It’s a really nice go-to when I don’t want to think about what to listen to.
Anyway, cheers. Enjoy your corn cobs.
Justine