The Naptime Chef

One of the biggest differences between my life in 2008 and now is how I’ve really honed in on all the things I like to live with. I know how I like my kitchen and household to function and have added in some really fun items over time. Truthfully, my favorite things are fairly mundane and inexpensive in the grand scheme of things. But, in a way, that’s precisely what makes them so special. They are my tiny treasures, my everyday go-to’s, my cute and fun enhancements that actually improve my daily life.

I’m sharing them today in case you’re interested in the fun, helpful items to have around your world. I think they really are as good as I pitch them to be. In most instances I’ve tried many variations of these items and landed on these with a lot of trial and error. Perhaps you have more you’d like to add to this list? Please let me know!

I tab all of my cookbooks to help me remember what recipes are of interest. Sometimes I tab my top 10 of any recipe selection and then challenge myself to cook those 10 recipes before choosing another round from the same volume. This is probably overkill, but it’s fun for me. These tabs are super cute and have sticky glue that actually works!

Mini silicone spatulas are in constant rotation in my kitchen. I use them for everything from making doughs to getting little bits of homemade pesto off the food processor blade. Also, they’re dishwasher safe – the dream of every home cook! One set of these will last you a decade. Plus, they make a really pretty gift when you tie them bouquet style with a ribbon

This mini measuring cup changed my life. Have you ever tried to measure ¼ cup liquid in a 2-cup measurer? It’s impossible! This itty bit measuring cup does the heavy lifting with the micro amounts of liquid recipes sometimes call for.

I love having salt perched next to my stovetop so I can dramatically throw pinch after pinch into almost anything I’m cooking. It makes me feel like a real-life Ina Garten! This little salt dish comes in many colors and is the perfect shape and size. I have it in green and have given it as a gift in many colors.

I’m not a perfect eco-warrior, but I try! Swedish dish clothes are a must in my kitchen. They last so much longer than sponges and have basically replaced paper towels. I like to buy ones with cool designs. Sometimes I buy a big 10-pack and give them out as gifts individually.

Again, my semi-perfect eco warrior self uses these tabs for all my regular cleaning. I dissolve one in a spray bottle of water and have the most deliciously scented and effective cleaning solution ever.

If you make homemade yeasted items you’ll want this spoon. It literally measures the precise amount of yeast typically found in each packet. I buy a big jar of yeast and use this spoon and it works perfectly.

A little fine mesh sieve is the key to making so many things easier. Yes, there’s tea straining. But there’s also straining zest and seeds out of squeezed fruit, draining pastina, and all sorts of tiny cooking moments that call for a delicate strainer to ensure smoothness.

Last but not least, the pens of my dreams. These are truly the most perfect writing utensils and are the only pens I write with. The ink doesn’t run at all and leaves a nice sophisticated line on every handwritten item. I can’t say enough about these simple but perfect writing implements. Everyone needs a pack or three.

I like to share what I’m cooking these days in case you are looking for new ideas or fresh inspiration. It’s unlikely that a Caprese Orzo Salad is breaking new ground, but this recipe is perfect for right now and I’d like to highlight this if you’re looking to change things up. In fact, I’ve made this salad many times in the past, but haven’t really done so in the last few years. I think it’s because I honestly burned on it. We went through a big caprese salad season a few years ago and needed a break from it for a little while!

The nice thing about a salad like this is that it’s totally adaptable. I made this one with a classic balsamic vinaigrette, but you could just use olive oil and salt if you’d prefer. It also might taste great with lemon zest and a lot of pepper! I’ve also added chopped peppers to it before because I had some in the fridge to use up. Lastly, try pesto if you’re in the mood for it.

I like to make this in the evening and let it cool in the fridge overnight. When I first make it the salad is never salty enough and I add a lot. But I’ve learned that if I do that I’ll end up with a salad that’s too salty after the flavors meld. SO! Make it according to plan and let it rest. Taste test, add more salt if needed.

This is a favorite of ours in the summer. I like to have it in the fridge to have with leftover protein for an easy lunch. It’s also makes a nice cool side dish at super on hot days.

I have to admit, I don’t buy as many cookbooks as I used to. I’m still a huge fan of the industry, but I can tell I’m really settling into cooking my tried-and-trues. While I always add a few new ones to the mix, I just as frequently return to my favorites by season.

To that end, here are 8 Summery Cookbooks I’ve been pulling off the shelf this week. We’re getting through our first summer heatwave and there’s nothing I want more than cold summer soups, refrigerated salads, and ice cream!

I’m curious, what are your summer cookbook favorites?

New England Open-House Cookbook: 300 Recipes Inspired by the Bounty of New England by Sarah Leah Chase. This really knocks it out of the park with seafood recipes, but all the recipes are great. Just look at the cover!

Canal House Cooking Volume No. 4: Farm Markets & Gardens by Melissa Hamilton & Christopher Hersheimer. Ohhh, these two are the masters of farm stand cooking. This book is nicely sized, you might consider taking it to the farmer’s market with you so you can purchase according to the recipes you’re craving!

Summer: A Cookbook: Inspired Recipes for Lazy Days & Magical Nights by Marnie Hanel & Jen Stevenson. This gorgeously illustrated volume is practically a piece of art. (Warning: it will make you want to throw a beach picnic at least once a week.)

I’ve been loving the “My Martha Summer” trend on social media. It’s no secret I’m a longtime fan of Martha’s style. I had a subscription to her magazine until the very end. Gosh, I used to obsess over her recipes and crafting ideas!

One of my favorite issues was the holiday cookie issue of December 2005…I still have all the pages neatly arranged in my recipe binder. SO many good ideas! Yes, her cookie cookbook followed a year or so later, but the magazine had a better selection of recipes, I think.

Here are some of the recipes and photos from the good old days of naptime cooking I’m leaning into this summer to give it my own “Martha Summer” theme. With the world feeling so sad and fragile, it seems like an excellent time to dial back to simple joys with communities of loved ones.

Merrill’s Strawberry Jam spread on lightly toasted slice of sourdough bread sounds heavenly for a summer breakfast.

Roasted Peach Lemonade was something I first tasted on a food blogger trip to Atlanta. I recreated my own version at home and have been making it ever since. The ingredients are easy to procure and the recipe is dead simple. I still haven’t found a better picnic drink.

In the spirit of sharing, here are the things I’m loving in my kitchen right now. These are some of my June summer kitchen essentials. I hope you find these inspiring in fun. In the interest of crowd sourcing, don’t hesitate to chime in with things you’re loving at the moment and think we all need to know about. I’ll definitely read any and all suggestions!

Jam Jars with Lids: Per my Jam Jars Iced Lattes newsletter, these are in heavy rotation right now. I bought a six-pack years ago and they’ve been used for all sorts of food storage and drink service. Highly recommend.

Reusable Straws: I make a lot of ice teas and such in the summer so straws are used daily. Plastic and paper straws are long gone from our house. A pack of these has lasted years and years. I clean them after every use and they’re good for kids and adults.

Summer has arrived and I’m here for it! Apologies for this relaunch getting off to a slow start. This winter was something else and I had to pare back of my grander ambitions. Today is all about jam jar iced lattes!

So, here we are with an aim for two features per month of simple, real things I’m cooking and enjoying in my life. Given the world we’re living in, I think we’re all happy to keep it simple these days. Also, I take requests. So, if there’s anything you’d like to see or revisit simply reply and let me know.

On Saturday I shared this really simple, fun hack I’ve put together for my summer coffee habits. To all who may remember, I didn’t even drink coffee until my son was born. That means I was over 35 years old before I could even sip a cup, and even then it was mostly out of pure necessity.

However, with time I’ve grown to enjoy a morning latte or cappuccino. It feels so luxurious to sip and enjoy as the day breaks. I love the pep I get from the caffeine and the flavor always puts me in a good mood. I’m still a big tea drinker too, but coffee has found a place in my culinary heart.

It’s the time of year for hot soups, warm blankets, and roaring fires. Enter a favorite recipe from my first cookbook, Ham & Corn Chowder. This hot, creamy soup is the perfect foil for gray days. I love to make it in advances so it’s ready to be reheated and served in the evening. By the time we’re all home and inside for the day the soup flavors have blossomed and dinner is ready to eat.