Everything you need to read, watch and listen to this month
READ
For all things lemon
THE GOURMAND’S LEMON by David Lane and Marina Tweed
The partnership behind food and culture journal The Gourmand returns with another single-theme compendium of stories, essays and recipes, this time focused on the sour king of citrus fruit. Beautifully designed by specialist art publishers Taschen, its pages present 60 ideas for cooking with lemons alongside zesty fictional interludes and historical anecdotes on the role this fruit played in ancient Egypt and the Medici Dynasty. If life gives you lemons this summer, read about them in the shade and then make delicious mains, desserts and more.
For the love of Greek cuisine
THE GREEK ISLANDS COOKBOOK by Carolina Doriti
Plato himself would surely agree that the scattered isles of the Ionian and Aegean seas bring to mind some ancient, archetypal ideal of Southern Europe in summer. That great Greek philosopher, an early believer of what we now call the Mediterranean diet, would also have approved these recipes by native chef Carolina Doriti. With each dish she treads ever so lightly across that sunny region like some kind of enchantress, spreading joy by way of yoghurt, figs, baked fish and roast lamb.
For fans of Italian fare
THE ITALIAN SUMMER KITCHEN: TIMELESS RECIPES FOR LA DOLCE VITA by Cathy Whims
Cathy Whims has been around long enough to run two successive landmark restaurants in Portland, Oregon – Genoa and Nostrana – and has received six James Beard nominations for “best chef”. This is somehow her first cookbook though, drawing summery recipes from every region of Italy. The basics of gourmet-standard pasta, risotto and gnocchi are covered in a simple step-by-step format, alongside her interpretations of native dishes and drinks, and breezily agreeable asides on cooking, travel and life in general.
WATCH
CHEF’S TABLE: LEGENDS
Previous seasons of the popular documentary show have tended to focus on American talents, but the latest run has a more European flavour, with episodes on eternally youthful British masterchef Jamie Oliver and Spanish-born restaurateur José Andrés. In-depth interviews make clear how the climates and cultures of their respective homelands influenced their particular takes on native cuisines, which in turn helped make each of these ambitious figures an international celebrity and a brand in their own right.
Available on Netflix.
LISTEN
SOMETHING TO EAT AND SOMETHING TO READ
Food writer Sophie Hansen and bibliotherapist Germaine Leece (a psychologist who prescribes books as therapeutic tools) join forces and disciplines for this monthly podcast about cooking and reading. Their “Summering” episode puts a welcome focus on recipes and literary recommendations that pair especially well in warmer weather, their chat ranging from Paul Murray’s award-winning novel The Bee Sting to an optimally seasonal recipe for coconut, lime and peanut dressing.
