Two Summery Recipes for Clams

And a very good list of other things you should do this summer

Photo by Tara Donne

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Our whole gang from Hudson was here and it was really special. The weather has been so rainy and strange this summer, but we made the best of it and took long walks with the dogs on the beach (in between storms), read a lot, drank too much wine and had many belly laughs. I don’t want them to go!

As we (crazily) hit mid-August, I’m sharing some simple, summery things I’ve done these last few weeks, which made me feel like it was “proper summer.” I recommend you try some of them and you will too. I’d also love to hear what you’d add to the list!

1. Make yourself a vanilla ice cream cone, drizzle it with olive oil and a few pinches of flaky salt.

2. Make a big pot of clams at least a few times a few different ways. Recipes below for my Nonni’s Tuna Clam Sauce from Back Pocket Pasta and Clams Avellino, which are steamed with lots of jammy tomatoes and topped with fistfuls of basil.

3. Make someone else’s recipes from time to time - it helps when you’re in a rut. I made a life changing rice gratin (twice!) from Claire Thompson’s Home Cookery Year. It’s a wonderful book.

Rice Gratin with Zucchini and Tomatoes

4. Go for a cold swim every morning if you’re able or alternatively take a cold shower. It really shakes off whatever you need it to.

5. Drink your morning cup of coffee outside with a book. Leave your phone in your bedroom. 

6. Pet as many dogs as you can. 

7. Cook in your swimsuit. It’s liberating. Read Sarah Copeland’s lovely newsletter Edible Living and her piece How to Cook Like You Live In St.Tropez all about it.