A roundup of my favorite spring food trends

a productive result of doom-scrolling

Apr 28, 2023

While refreshing my news feed and Instagram usually just makes me feel bad about my (perfectly good) life, every once in a way I will land on a food idea that I’m excited about and bookmark to try. Usually I release these in batches in my Good Things section below, but today I’m letting them all out in one shot because you need these ideas in your life for spring and summer!

Many of these are on Instagram or Tiktok - so my apologies in advance if you’re not on those platforms. Wherever possible, I have tried to find other links for which you don’t need an account.

But first, Amazon has an ongoing 20% off deal on my cookbook! If you’ve been sitting on this one, now would be an excellent time to pull the trigger. It would also make a lovely Mother’s day gift. And I will send you a signed bookplate sticker for it if you wish to make it even more special!

By the way, my publisher nor I have nothing to do with this deal and no influence over Amazon - the mighty algorithm decides everything! I have no idea how long it will last but figured I would pass along.

My favorite spring and summer food trends

Cottage Cheese - is having its moment in the spotlight and I couldn’t be happier for it. With 20 grams of protein in a cup, it packs a punch and we all need these ideas to get more of it in our lives.

Cottage Cheese ice cream - I first saw this on lanie_cooks feed but it went viral pretty fast and now every food blogger worth their cottage cheese has their own version. You can flavor it as you like. Lanie used strawberries and this version from Eating Bird Food is peanut butter chocolate chip. I might go even further and say sweeten it with a scoop of protein powder.
Cottage Cheese Bowl - Think grain bowl, but the base is cottage cheese instead of grains! Justine_snacks has an awesome version with za’atar vegetables, which is helpfully also on her blog. I’m thinking about an Indian spin.
Cottage Cheese Pasta - Did you know cottage cheese wanted to be an alfredo sauce when it grew up? Brilliant Idea. I have no idea who came up with it but here is one version from the 40Aprons blog that I’ve bookmarked to try.
Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs - Two eggs is.not.enough.protein. Add cottage cheese to zhuzh it up and make a filling meal. Here is a version from the Skinnytaste blog but I would recommend blending the eggs and cottage cheese together first for a fluffier version like I did in my Masala Egg Bites.

Greek Yogurt - can the friendly rival of cottage cheese be far behind? Greek yogurt can do almost everything cottage cheese can, but is usually tarter so not ideal in ice cream.

Pasta sauce - Add Greek yogurt to your pesto recipe for a fabulously creamy and sumptuous cold pasta this summer. I tried this one from thatcheeseplate and it was excellent. Just make the dressing by blending pesto and Greek yogurt together before adding it to your pasta and veggies. I’m dreaming up a sundried tomato version for later and you could also add it to the Avocado Pasta from my cookbook.
Mayo - Make the Greek Yogurt Mayo from The Vegetarian Reset: blend 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tsp white or apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, salt and pepper and drizzle it over everything. It’s brilliant. You can also add it to other salad dressings.
Dips - Make the Lemon Aioli (1/4 cup greek yogurt, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 small clove garlic, salt and pepper) or the Smoked Paprika Dip (1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 Tbsp water, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, salt) from The Vegetarian Reset.
Soup Smoothies - Add a cup of Greek yogurt to your Gazpacho this summer to make it more sumptuous (also in The Vegetarian Reset).

Avocado Toast

Grated Egg Avo Toast - Ever grated a hard boiled egg? It’s fluffy and dreamy. I believe this version on the HealthyishFoods blog was the original.
High protein Avo Toast with Tofu - I haven’t tried this one yet but it’s such a great idea. ThatVeganBabe mixes shredded tofu with her Avocado sauce and swears you can’t taste it at all!

Vegetables - did you think you were getting away without vegetables? Nice try!

Asparagus - Asparagus and lemon were meant to be together forever. I made this 5-ingredient asparagus pasta from kristenfaith_eats yesterday and it was really good! Another version on by Sheela Prakash on The Kitchn here.
Cabbage - This Green Goddess Salad recipe by Baked by Melissa is hands down the best way to eat raw cabbage. I think I posted about this in an earlier issue but it is worth repeating.
Peppers, Cucumbers - HerDressCode, the creator of this Hot Girl Summer Salad swears she lost 20 pounds eating this salad which went viral last summer (or maybe the previous summer). 20 pounds or not, this light and crunchy salad is on my list this summer. I actually prefer this version by HerWholesomeKitchen that maps out the zesty Italian dressing.
Herbs - This Jennifer Anniston salad (Eating Bird Food version) that she allegedly ate on the set of Friends everyday is a great template for an herby salad! You can make it with quinoa, bulgur or farro. I look forward to mixing and matching this salad all summer.

v8well Good Things

To eat - see above! Also we are terribly excited about May produce and have some great recipes!
To listen - A debate about Ozempic, the miracle drug on Honestly with Bari Weiss: Will it solve obesity in America? This debate gets pretty heated at times but it’s a good listen. I can tell you that I am terrified at the thought of a lifelong medication (it works by suppressing appetite) that is being prescribed to kids and adults - a shortcut that may never teach them to implement basic lifestyle changes and eat right.
To read - my mind is on Ozempic so here is another fascinating article on The Cut.

Cookbook news

SEEMA magazine did a lovely feature on my journey to write this book in their April issue. Read it here! And no that’s not me on the cover but my name is there :)
Someone I met at an event recently told me that my cookbook is getting them through their divorce because cooking from the book has become the thing that mom and son do together. And her son thinks my Pesto Paneer Gnocchi is the best he ever had. This is not exactly news but the kind of testimonial that moves me to tears, so I wanted to share.

v8well Cooking Club

Join me for a Cinco de Mayo special edition of the v8well Cooking Club on May 5th at 11am ET. We will make the Burrito Jars and Avocado Lime Smoothie from my cookbook! Recipes will be sent to those who RSVP, even if you don’t have the book. No need to cook or turn on your camera, lurkers welcome. We had a huge turnout last time and it was really fun!

RSVP here

If you already have my cookbook

Join my cookbook group here on Facebook and share your pictures as you cook along from the book! You can also ask questions about recipes and I will help in any way I can.
Write an honest review for The Vegetarian Reset on Amazon or Goodreads and pick an Ottolenghi cookbook to be sent to you! (US/UK/AUS/CAN only - subject to availability) . Reviews can be short and sweet, I don’t intend for this to cause brain damage. Reply to this email to send a screenshot of your submission.

Get your copy of The Vegetarian Reset now!

Amie McGraham

April 29, 2023

1. Definitely on the To Make List: PB chocolate “cottage ice cream”

2. The Cut article is terrifying, and I echo that question: Weren’t we supposed to have moved on from this?

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