Summer Fruits: Peaches and Watermelon

by Brian on May 26th, 2010 in News No Comments

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The thermometer almost made it to 100 today. Officially, it may be four weeks to the calendar’s start of summer, but in the Catskills it is already here. Over the next few months, I’ll be posting blogs on summer dishes. And this summer, I want to emphasize two favorites: peaches and watermelons.

Have you given up on peaches? I really had. Nectarines are much easier to deal with. Peaches can be physically rock hard when you buy them, soften on the drive home, and rot before you can use them the next day. It’s not pleasant. I’m determined this summer to learn how to pick, conserve, and use peaches. So from peach chunks in sangria to peach slices lustily covered in sugar in pies, you’ll read about peaches.

Now watermelon is just the opposite. There is little problem buying one and keeping it ready to use, but it’s that “using” part that will be our focus. Watermelon is underused. Most of us just buy it, slice it, and eat it. But there’s plenty more to do with watermelon, and you’ll see recipes that make the most of this summer wonder.

Keep reading for peach and watermelon ideas. And don’t hesitate to stop at your local farm stand or farmer’s market. Fresh is best.

Happy summer,

Brian

What Friends do for Friends

by Suzi on January 16th, 2009 in News 2 Comments

The beauty of a lifetime dream should not be overshadowed by a temporary cloud. The past year has been difficult for couples who have fallen in love, dreamt of a storybook wedding, and paused at how to have the celebration of their lives in harsh economic times. At Cooking by the Book, we found a wonderful solution: let your friends join you in creating that special wedding celebration.

This week we featured a wedding dinner for one of our own staff members and his bride, Reid and Julie. Reid has been one of our front of the house waiters for a million years (or at least eight). For this lovely new couple, it simply was not possible to rent an event space, provide a catered meal, and have all the embellishments they wanted for their friends. So, their friends joined to supply all that was needed for this evening to remember.

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