I have a friend who is not that into food. She mostly sees it as fuel, with an occasional concern for some minor preferences (no ketchup, eggs boiled hard, dark German beer). For her, the act of eating falls into the category of basic maintenance, like brushing her teeth or taking a shower. It’s a not very exciting but necessary activity, the kind of thing that can be occasionally skipped if no one is watching. Don’t worry, she has plenty of other passions. Food just isn’t one of them.

I love my friend, and I believe she is as happy and fulfilled as any human being can expect to be these days. But there’s no way I would switch places with her. I cannot imagine my life without my love of food and the many amazing things that happen while standing in front of a stove.

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Gnocchi Skillet with Chicken Sausage & Tomatoes

Whoa, whoa. How is it August already? Are you knee-deep in tomatoes? Zucchini? Peaches? What’s cooking in your kitchen this weekend? I’m headed to a potluck with a new mango dessert in hand (look for the recipe next week!) and planning to indulge my tomato salad craving. What about you? What’s cooking this weekend? Make sure to check out these posts from the last week, too.

• Whoa, cheese! Look at all the cheese.
• Have you tried magic ice cream yet?
• Why carrots are orange and not purple.
• A pretty print.
• And the winner of our first annual Big Reveal contest!

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Q: What is this tool?

Sent by Elissa

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The angle: Take advantage of summer — and its produce — while the sun is high and the days are long.

Recipes for right now: Ricotta Pancakes with Plums, Tomato & Thyme Tart, Grilled Corn Salad, Halloumi with Lemons and Apricots, Lemon & Chili Marinated Salmon, Blueberry Pancake Cake, Raspberry & Almond Cake

Who would enjoy this book? Cooks with CSAs, anyone currently wearing flip flops.

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