Summer is my favorite time of the year... especially around these parts. The warm weather always puts a skip in my step, especially because there's no need for socks or boots! I also get really excited because of the glorious produce that becomes available. The farmer's market is a veritable smorgasbord of delicious fruits and vegetables at this time of the year, and always inspires me to celebrate with friends.
I recently picked up a copy of "We eat together" at my local library (unless you are lucky enough to spot a lone roaming copy at a local store, I think it just may be sold out) which sings the praises of local Alberta farms and producers. Julianna Mimande and Gabe Wong did a fabulous job of bringing together recipes that draw people together around the dinner table -- or the back yard, as it may be right now. I love that they took the time to find out about our local growers and made this cookbook into such a personal journey. The only thing I am sorry about is that I waited so long to get my hands on a copy! You can check out an overview of the book here and also check out Ms. Mimande's latest venture, Prairie Bistro at St. Albert's The Enjoy Centre.
I love this quote from the book, "Eating with strangers often turns them into friends, and this is how we eat from now on: together."
Eating is about nourishment, of both the body and the soul. Though some of us may eat with dietary restrictions and goals, it can always be tasty and it can always help to bring us together. I just wanted to help open your mind to the possibilities of food. If you can know something about where your food has come from, you can appreciate the wonderful simplicity of your produce. It doesn't need to be complicated to be wonderful.
