A Must-Try Salad That Is Everything Summer In a Bowl

Hi there,

Are you staying cool this summer? A few weeks ago we got an above ground pool, and let me just say: it’s the best thing about this summer. 🌊

There’s something about seeing the bright blue rippling of water that brings instant relaxation to me (albeit against a pool liner, but I’ll take what I can get!).

I’ve always been obsessed with blue water. Which makes it fitting that my next cookbook and this newsletter are about the way of eating inspired by the Mediterranean.

How does a Mexican street corn pasta salad fit in, you say?

Well, you’ll read this in the upcoming book too: to me, the Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that includes cuisine from around the globe.

The Mediterranean diet is just a collection of foods (lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and chicken, olive oil) that works with pretty much any type of cuisine.

Elote aka Mexican street corn is one of my favorite foods ever, and it’s 100% about this philosophy: a way to enjoy delicious, fresh seasonal food at its peak.

Throw it on the grill to char it up so it makes pops of sweet, smoky bites against the al dente pasta, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, savory dressing. It’s big on vegetables with just enough mayo in the dressing (but not too much).

It’s perfect for a pitch in or barbecue, or it also makes a simple summer dinner by adding blackened chicken, sauteed shrimp, or a veggie burger.

I ate this salad next to my pool and it was so delicious with water in the background so if you can, I encourage you to seek out some water to eat this next to.

Did you know that research shows that just looking at plants can improve mental health by lowering stress and enhancing your mood?

This actually works with both real plants and photos or videos of plants.

I recently posted about this in a Substack Note — along with a video of the lavender plants in my yard.

Those plants and my herb garden makes me so happy, so I did some research and found they can make most humans happy, too.

You can watch my video and see if it works, but even better: find time to smell some actual flowers.

This week’s invitation: Take a minute to smell a flower (or herb) this week, and see if it really does work to lower stress and help your mood.

xoxo
~Sonja