"The first zucchini I ever saw I killed it with a hoe."
-John Gould
Welcome to the August issue of Seasoned Cooking. August brings us blazing hot weather and gardens brimming with fresh produce, colorful flowers and juicy melons, plums and peaches. It’s a time of the year when we want to take fullest advantage of the bounty of the season while spending as little time in front of the stove as possible. It’s a time when gatherings are easy and casual and sitting back on the porch with a tall glass of lemonade or an ice cream cone is even more satisfying than a multi-course meal indoors.
We begin our salute to the end of summer with a look at dinner. Whether you are looking to minimize your time in the kitchen or try something new, we’ve got some great options for you. We start with a look at layering. Phil introduces the concept in Phil’s International Flair with a creative zucchini pizza that finds itself at home over, that’s right, pasta. You might also consider the twist on an Italian appetizer in the Rush Hour column. Chicken Bruschetta is bound to tantalize you with its creative blend of flavors. If you want another chicken recipe that will minimize stove time, check out the Kitchen Focus on its easy recipe for Ginger Chicken. Finally, if you want to turn up the heat, consider our special feature on food from India. Sizzling in August shares a special recipe from a cook living in the spiciest part of India!
Of course, you also just want to sit back and keep your cool in a month like August. We begin by asking you how you manage to do just that. Visit the Seasoned Opinions column to give and get insights on keeping your cool. Perhaps one way you might consider is starting your day right with a simple fruit smoothie. If you’re not sure of how to perfect your technique for that, consider checking out the Rise ‘n Shine column with its focus on No Fuss Smoothies. And, of course, no August would be complete without ice cream. And while it might seem like too much work, consider making a homemade ice cream cake. The recipe at the Happy Endings column will have you marveling at how an elegant frozen dessert can literally come together in minutes.
Finally, it seems like the perfect time to be visiting your garden this month. Everything from tomatoes to zucchini and more are at the peak of their season. If you find yourself with too much zucchini, take a look at the Ingredient SpotLight for some great ideas, from snacks to dessert. For a good general guide to preserving and using your garden bounty, enjoy our feature article on vegetable preserving. For more interactive fun, consider the feature on helping your kids cook from the garden. Both articles will have you enjoying the fruits of your labor. Eating well was never so easy!
There's a lot more to enjoy in this month's issue of Seasoned Cooking, so sit back and spend a little time digging around! Enjoy and here's to a seasoned lifestyle.
