The Monday Digest, August 2024
What happened last month on the newsletter, what’s to come and links to articles I enjoyed
This is the extra newsletter you get every first Monday of the month to sum up what I published the previous month and to tell you what you can expect on this one.
As a reminder, here’s what you will find on My Cup of Tea:
The Monday Digest: The first Monday of every month you’ll get a summary of what I sent out the previous month, a sneak peak of what you’ll get the current month and a curated list of latest food news as well as personal notes.
Every Thursday: a new newsletter on the following topics (a different one each week): 1 recipe, 1 educational blog on food photography, 1 in-depth essay about the history and uses of a dish or ingredient (mostly focused on New England), 1 personal essay/travel guide/chronicle.
July’s summary
Last month’s recipe celebrated a delicious seasonal crop that I could go pick myself in a local farm: Strawberry Lavender Galette
The new issue on this popular series on photography was about looking back in time to gather inspiration from art and architecture: Tips for Taking Better Photos: Learn from Art
Last month’s food history piece was focused on a New England classic, mostly enjoyed on Saturdays and around barbecue gatherings: Boston Baked Beans
I also wrote an essay on what summer means in different parts of the world and how our mental image of it may clash with some realities (thank you
for sharing your insights with me!): On the Meaning of SummerThere was an extra Thursday before this Monday’s Digest, which means, an extra article. I showed you a photo-journal of a Southern icon I visited: My first time in the South. A trip to Savannah, GA
What’s to come this August
Thursday the 8th: This month’s recipe helps you cool down while enjoying a beautiful mid-summer fruit: Fresh Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Thursday the 15th: On this month’s piece on photography I am starting a new series that will take you to some of my favourite props for food photography and I’ll show you how to use them: A List of my Favorite Photo Props and Where to Find Them: Ceramics
Thursday the 22th: Maine is the state that fishes and exports the most lobsters in the USA, and I went to know how: Lobstering in Maine & The Lobster Roll
Thursday the 29th: A full summer in this part of the world, in pictures (and with recommendations): A Summer in New England
Food News
Coconuts Hold Seychelles Together - (Tyler Zielinski) Eater
How to Feed the Olympics - (Jaya Saxena) Eater
So Now I’m Supposed to Eat Silica? - (Jaya Saxena) Eater
Forget Jam—Pickle Your Fruit This Summer - (Zola Gregory) Taste
Xawaash Is The Somali Food Blog That Taught a Generation of Diaspora Kids How to Cook - (Ifrah F. Ahmed) Taste
Why is it so hard to get ultra-processed foods out of our diets? A lack of time - (Lindsey Smith Taillie) There Guardian
The One Thing Watermelon Experts Do to Pick Sweet Ones - (Genevieve Ko) The New York Times
After 12 Years of Reviewing Restaurants, I’m Leaving the Table - (Pete Wells) The New York Times
Substacks I loved
) New WorlderThe details in food photography - (
) The Photography Workshop, by Marte Marie ForsbergDishes that migrate should keep their identity - (
) Dianne Jacob's NewsletterEstate Italiana: Recipes and Tips for the Season - (
) Letters from TuscanyCan a Restaurant Do Well and Do Good? - (
) MAD DigestOn vanilla, and the hidden costs of luxury - (
) Roots & SeedsWhy The Language Of Baking Is Not Universal - (
) Serving Up SweetnessL'éclair part one & L'éclair part two - (
) Life’s a Feast ) FoodStack LibraryPeanuts and chocolate, a sacred combination - (
) Latina CookingThe Price of Restaurant Criticism - (
) La BriffePersonal Notes
I have recently discovered a stately home by the Northern coast of Massachusetts that didn’t really impress my English husband but that for me, it was a treat. We took sandwiches and drinks from home and had a picnic overlooking the Atlantic. After that, we walked around the gardens and enjoyed the coastal breeze. If you are near the area, go visit Castle Hill on the Crane Estate for a posh afternoon.
Thanks so much for the mention! Such a nice list, will have to read all of them =)
Thanks so much for the mention. We love My Cup of Tea!