034. June is the Best Month

Feta and watermelon, cheese of the month + more!

It’s my favorite time of the year! Not only is June my birthday month and my middle name, but it also marks the official start of summer. This means fresh produce, cut flowers, sunny days, and outdoor entertaining. Although I don’t have a big long table or an outdoor space for the most ~aesthetic~ entertaining in NYC, I’m here to give you some fun hosting ideas to try out yourself, wherever you are!

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Favorite Recent Finds: Picnic Edition

Here are some of my favorite products to elevate your summertime picnics.

1. Big Blanket - The key to a successful picnic is the ability to not have to sit on the grass. I love laying down a huge blanket before setting up the rest of my items.

2. Portable Table - My small portable table has become one of my favorite picnic accessories. It’s easy to transport and makes such a difference while serving food.

3. Beach Chairs - Take it one step further with comfy beach chairs. These ones also have cup holders and a pillow for your head!

4. Cooler Bag - Perfect for keeping cheese or drinks cold, this cooler bag is a great size for 2 people.

5. Columbus Tasting Board - If you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to make an elaborate meal for the park, I love this cheese board by Columbus. The items are very high quality and it’s extremly easy to transport.

6. Bluetooth Speaker - No outdoor gathering is complete without music! I love this bluetooth speaker, it’s waterproof and has a great battery life. If you need some music inspiration, check out my cheese party playlists.

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   Watermelon, Feta + Mint Salad (with a twist!)

   Yesterday I shared one of my favorite classic summer salads: watermelon, feta, mint, arugula and balsamic. I found this small yellow watermelon at Trader Joe’s and decided to use it as the bowl! Such a fun way to plate and style salads for summer gatherings. Check out the post here.

   

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   Cheese of The Month - La Tur

   New month, new cheese! La Tur is a decadent crowd pleaser, so make room for this beauty on your cheese boards. Fun fact: This was the first “fancy” cheese I tried when I was younger. My parents would always serve it when we had guests over. It’s still an all time favorite and for good reason. La Tur hails from the Piedmont region in Italy, blending cow, goat, and sheep milk. Its delicate, bloomy rind covers a soft, creamy interior that ripens to a luscious, almost liquid consistency. Tasting notes are rich and buttery with a tangy, slightly earthy undertone.

   

   Quick Facts:

• Type: bloomy rind, soft cheese

• Intensity: medium

• Milk: cow, goat and sheep

• Flavor Notes: creamy, decadent, buttery, lush

• Where To Buy: Most artisanal cheese shops should carry this, and you might find it at Whole Foods

Pair with: baguette, prosciutto, honey, fig jam, fruit preserves, candied pecans, nutty crackers 

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RECIPE: GRILLED BRIE WITH HOT HONEY PEACHES

One of my all time favorite recipes for BBQ season is grilled brie. You actually don’t need a barbecue for this, I use my grill pan and it works great. Grilling brie makes the cheese consistency soft but not fully melted, which I prefer in the summertime. In this recipe, the peaches add the perfect fruity pairing note while the spicy honey brings some sweetness and heat.