What's Cooking

July 2026 part two

Summer is over here in the South. It’s still in the 90s, humid and not yet August. But school started in some counties. On my way to the park, I saw a bus practicing its route.

I’m finding it hard to walk when it is so humid and the air feels thick. There is beauty though.

Crape myrtles are blooming and this line is gorgeous.

Moisture means mushrooms. Just look, don’t consider as edible, too dangerous.

One early day I saw this big guy.

And although no pictures, a birthday dinner with friends, library hand craft Tuesday evenings with lots of laughing, Fernbank wrangling ages 5 to 7 for summer camp. Fun times!

I’ve been cooking. Even baking.

Hatch green chile creamed corn not photogenic but tasty, I added some diced chiles, cut the sugar but would leave sugar out next time.

Lemongrass larb noodles, very tasty. I did not process the fish, just diced it, wanted texture, used haddock. And chili garlic sauce.

Crispy baked tacos very good! I added shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded from the head, by me, not packaged.

I have a bias against sandwiches as dinner. But it’s hot here and my porch basil is lovely. So - bolillo rolls from Buford Highway with tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, piquillo peppers from a jar in the fridge, fresh porch basil, oil, vinegar, Trader Joe’s Italian seasoning. Perfect dinner.

Pasta primavera with pesto from the freezer. Very good.

I make breakfast too, cheese grits and egg bowls using these blue grits. They are really very purple!

I’m always leery of all in one dishes where the starch is cooked in the pan. Pasta or rice, sometimes it’s mushy or sticky, but this worked well. I added about half a cup of Hatch green chiles from the jar I had in the fridge. And used a pan, not a glass baking dish.

My friend Jenni developed a delicious recipe for cinnamon raisin English muffins. When kneading, the dough looks like a mistake was made, but just follow the directions, they work! And they are delicious.

I even made cookie bars because some evenings I need milk and cookies. And the house has not had any. Oatmeal fudge bars for the win

Another month over and I think the rest of the year will move very fast now. Not wishing it away, just remembering to be mindful.