Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is a cookbook that is bound to transform you and if you don’t want to take the next plane, train, or automobile to the south of France after reading it, I will be shocked. I met the cookbook author, Rebekah Peppler, recently at a conference in New York and just hearing her speak about the area, made me want to dig out my passport, pack my bags, and journey to one of Europe’s most beautiful areas along the sprawling Mediterranean Sea coastline.

Is this summer particularly warmer than in recent years? The soaring temperatures, staggering in the 90s for days on end, have taken the term “heatwave” to an entirely different level. Climate change may be to blame but that does not help those of us who are melting out there. Thank goodness for working central air conditioning and the ice machine.

Sweet, juicy watermelons and summertime treats go hand-in-hand. There is just something about this melon that screams summertime to me. So take advantage of the watermelon’s short peak season and use it in as many ways as possible. Let your imagination run wild! Just about every part of this colorful, delicious fruit can be used–except maybe the seeds. There are savory bites and sweet treats, and so many ways to use its juice and even its green-striped rind can be transformed into something delicious.

Revamping your Summer Bar Cart

Summer is the perfect time to revamp your bar cart—after all, ‘tis the season for refreshing cocktails and long evenings gathering outdoors.

If you’re looking to replenish your bar cart or even build one out from scratch, I’m here to help. As a seasoned entertainer, I’m excited to guide you through my comprehensive bar cart guide.

Learn how I plan to fancy up hot dog toppings for this years Memorial Day picnic.

Easy and delicious tomato recipes

I know I’ve said it a thousand times but it bears repeating: the farmers market is one of my favorite places. Especially when this season rolls around. A rainbow of colors hits you when you walk in and it just gets better week after week in the summer. All of my favorites are either in season now…or just about to enter peak season!

I don’t know about you but I can’t get enough vegetables in the steamy, sizzling summer months. I think it’s been this way all of my life. Even though we didn’t have a home garden when I was growing up, we always seemed to benefit from others who did. Lots of fresh green beans, cucumbers, squash, all shapes and sizes of peppers, and corn. I’m not forgetting about the tomatoes but I’m saving them for another day…they are just coming to perfection so stay tuned.

Today, I’m turning my curious attention to corn. A beautiful display caught my eye last week when I was visiting my local farmers market and I couldn’t resist. Now I must confess, corn isn’t exactly one of my favorites but for some reason, I had a “food memory” moment and my thoughts went back in time to my Mother’s delicious Corn Casserole. It made it into the “notebook” and I knew I had to try it for myself.