Cooking Local?

With an over abundance of fresh local produce in the grocery stores, fruit stands, and farmer’s markets, I can’t help but get excited about cooking. Nor can I help myself from buying every seasonal fruit and vegetable offered at the roadside markets. And, what mom doesn’t get excited when her children ask for a second piece of fruit from the basket? Everything smells and looks so delicious in August.
It’s Thursday and that means that I need to plan the menu, shop and cook for a weekend with family and friends at the cottage. And, because it’s summer, I turn to one of my favourite summer resources for inspiration “Best Summer Weekend Cookbook”, by Jane Rodmell. This cookbook is full of delicious seasonal recipes for breakfast (Basic Buttermilk Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Syrup), lunch, dinner (Whole Grilled Fish with Lime and Coriander), snack, and dessert (One Pot Brownies). The majority of Jane’s recipes are easy to prepare and serve, features I look for when creating weekend menus. I also like the fact that she includes variations and substitutions for main ingredients in her recipes and make-ahead instructions for those recipes that can be made in advance.