Last week, I picked five rather large zucchinis from my son's garden while he and his family were away on vacation. I used two right away—air frying them as a simple vegetable side dish. But the remaining three zucchini sat on the counter, quietly challenging me to do something more creative.
Are you a fan of Thai food? I am !
This Thai green mango salad recipe (also known as Som Tum Mamuang) is a vibrant dish bursting with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Traditionally enjoyed as a street food salad in Thailand, this version is 100% vegan and gluten-free, made with crisp unripe mango, fresh herbs, and a tangy lime dressing. It’s quick, refreshing, and perfect as a side dish or light meal.
The best part? It comes together in under 20-25 minutes, looks impressive on the table, and offers an interesting alternative to traditional green salads.
Just a heads-up: if you’re expecting a sweet fruit salad, this isn’t it! The recipe calls for green mango which is far from fruity.
My son lives in the suburbs like we do, but his backyard has a special kind of neighbor — it borders a wide, open farm. This past week, while he was off enjoying a vacation, my son asked me to look after his backyard garden and pick any ripe vegetables.
So, yesterday morning, I drove over to his place, expecting nothing more than some quiet time and a few zucchini. But as I stepped into the backyard, I was greeted by an unexpected guest — a single deer sitting peacefully in the field just beyond the backyard fence.
It is a simple recipe, can be made in the Instant Pot or stove top, and is an easy summertime recipe. look below for my vegan version.
I absolutely love the old 1934 song Summertime 🎵🎵 (written by George Gershwin and performed in the musical Porgy and Bess)—it perfectly captures the easygoing vibe of the season.
There's something about summer that makes everything feel a bit more relaxed: simple dinners out on the deck, lighter meals, golden sunlight stretching well into the evening, leisurely evening walks, and casual get-togethers with friends, and even a lazy afternoon nap.
see easy summertime recipes at end of post.
Summer’s Bounty & a Breath of Fresh Air
Summer is in full swing, and it shows in the abundance of fresh produce everywhere. After a big storm rolled through last night, the weather has taken a dramatic turn. This morning greeted us with a crisp 64 degrees, and we’re only expecting highs in the 70s—a refreshing change from the sweltering 100-degree heat just two days ago.
