No More Emotional Support Salads

Listen, I know the summer fun feels a little bit like it’s at a dip—in New York, we started with the Knicks and good weather and strawberries and now we’ve circled down to hazy smoky skies, killer lettuce, and no more soccer to watch.

But I think that just means it’s the perfect time to go back to happy books, as always. Simple cooking and easy reading is the name of the game right now. I’ve been leaning into that ease and a burst of warm-weather fun: picnics in the park, ice cream on Coney Island, concerts and outdoor movie nights. I hope you’re finding ways to soak up summer now that we’re really in it.

But let’s get to the books!

I must admit I’m a World Cup obsessive. For me, there’s something about the drama of both the World Cup and the Olympics that make the story of it all seem supercharged. People wait their entire lives for this one moment? Can’t script it better. So if you, like me, are a little bit saddened to have reached the end of the soccer road, I’ve got a delightful book for you to pick up. Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie is really the perfect romcom—fish out of water, celebrity/normal person, banter up the wazoo and a Ted Lasso American-in-England vibe (but with love!). I had so much fun with this one.

If you loved The Slow Burn and you’re thinking to yourself, “I need more chef romances!” then a great one is out for you today. Yes, Chef doesn’t go to Italy (sorry, Florida instead) but it does have a brooding chef starting over with the restaurant left to him by his mentor. If you like seeing screw-ups redeem themselves (one of my favorite tropes), then this one is for you.

In another fun reference to The Slow Burn, there’s a scene where Kit talks about her favorite Instagram account, Fresh Cut Garden Hose, that makes drawings of the silly ways people talk about wine. Well that creator has an amazing book out now called How to Sound Wine Smart, and it truly is a delight. This is going to be the gift I buy for everyone in my life at Christmas (just the perfect little gem), but it’s also a great primer if you want to learn more about wine without dealing with the pretension.

I posted a corn recipe this week, and I highly recommend using the season to its peak: tomatoes, grilled corn (yes you can do this at home), feta and basil. Truly nothing is better.

Finally, some fun news on the Potluck front! Potluck with Ali Rosen is returning for its 18th(!) season on NYC Life on August 6th. I truly cannot wait to share more with you. We have some incredible guests and amazing segments. If you’re new here and you’re like ‘wait, this writer also has a cooking show?’ then, yes, please check it out. We’re on public television in New York which means we can be nerdy and never vote anyone off an island. I’m so happy to be back.