This picture was taken in Shek O, off the southeastern coast of Hong Kong Island where we've been visiting Andy's brother and family for the past seven days. That's Phoebe, jumping -- after much prodding and negotiation -- off the roof of a junk, and plunging into the South China Sea. A good reminder of how big and beautiful this world is, and how full of things to see. We hope you're doing some of that, too, this summer.
See you in a week or so.
Jenny & Andy
PPS: Ten Things to Hold You Over Until We're Back
1. Chicken-Apricot Skewers This one for me is all about that drizzling sauce with coconut milk and peanut butter. (From Bon Appetit)
2. Steamed Clams with Shallots and Wine. Serve with crusty bread and a fresh green salad for a 15-minute dinner. And secure the freshest clams you can find.
3. Baby Back Ribs with Mustardy-Potato Salad and Fennel Slaw. A perfect summer menu, best enjoyed wearing flip-flops.
4. Grilled Shrimp Tacos With or without homemade tortillas.
5. Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp (above) which we ate for dinner beachside in Koh Samui, watching a sunset, Chang beer in hand, toes wiggling in the sand. I don't hold out hope I'll be replicating a night like this again any time soon, but I can at least try to replicate the dish. I think I'll start here.
6. Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa (page 236, Dinner: A Love Story)
7. Lamb Sliders (p. 206, Dinner: A Love Story) with Chick Pea Fries (p. 210) Bon Appetit served the fries as hors d'oeuvres at the DALS book party and they rocked. I'm resolved to serve them in my house with marinara instead of ketchup this year.
8. Cold "Peanut Butter Noodles" (page 261, Dinner: A Love Story) This is such a good one for easy entertaining. Can be made a day in advance -- then all you have to do is set out toppings.
9. Summer Ginger-Peach Galette If you've chosen Dinner: A Love Story for your next book club selection, or even if you haven't actually, there's a reading guide (plus a recipe for this beautiful galette to serve if you are hosting) right here.
10. Tomato Caprese Salad You shouldn't go a day without this on your table in some form between now and Labor Day.