The Monday Digest, July 2025

What happened last month on the newsletter, what’s to come, links to articles I enjoyed + choose your downloadable photo

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 articles as well as personal notes.

• Every Thursday: a new newsletter on the following topics (a different one each week):

  • 1 seasonal recipe inspired by my Catalan heritage.

  • 1 educational piece on food photography.

  • 1 in-depth article about the history and uses of a dish or ingredient (mostly focused on New England).

  • 1 personal essay/travel guide/chronicle.

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• Exclusive Q&A, Photo Feedback + Downloadable Photo: Every 3rd Monday of the month an exclusive chat will be available for paid subscribers dedicated to answer any questions and to send a photo for me to critique so you know how to improve your skills! Paid subscribers will also get a high resolution downloadable photo to be used as a screensaver or as a print + extra perks!

June’s summary

• Last month’s recipe was a Catalan and Valencian favorite and even if it’s not a paella, it’s cooked in one!: Fideuà: A crispy pasta seafood delight with allioli, the most quintessential Catalan dip

• In last month’s piece on photography I showed you how to create a home set-up to take fantastic photos even if your kitchen is not Pinterest-worthy: How to Create A Fit-All Home Photography Studio

• The food history piece was focused on a local staple, its history and a variety of dishes where its included: The Clam in New England

• The last newsletter of the month was a photo-journal of my trip in early June to the nearby state of Maine, a very atmospheric early summer vacation: A Coastal Trip to Maine

• The last newsletter before this Digest was a photo-story in which I showed you the process of making over a guest bedroom of our new house into my dream photography and writing studio — changing up floors, walls and ceiling: Making Home: Dream Studio Makeover (Part 1)

What’s to come this July

Thursday the 10th: This month’s recipe is a Catalan flatbread that it’s the perfect party food and snack: Coca de Recapte: A flatbread with escalivada —grilled eggplant and peppers— 4 ways, to please the vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and carnivorous

Thursday the 17th: This month’s piece on photography is the third edition of a quarterly series; we will talk about how to make the best of the bountiful season: Capture the Seasons: Food Photography for Summer

Monday the 21st: Exclusive Q&A for paid subscribers in the chat. You can also send out a photo you want feedback from! And you’ll receive the chosen downloadable photo (see below).

Thursday the 24th: This month’s food history piece will be focused on a local summer classic, that has become one of the most American pies: Blueberry Pie

Thursday the 31st: The last newsletter of the month will be the Part 2 and Reveal of my photography studio makeover, in the shape of a photo-story: Making Home: Dream Studio Makeover (Part 2 and Reveal)

Food News

Slurping Toward Nirvana on the Maine Oyster Trail - (Danielle Dowling and Greta Rybus) The New York Times

Somebody Explain Why Everybody Loves Phil Rosenthal - (Julia Moskin) The New York Times

The Mung Bean Embraces Its Main Character Moment - (Ali Domrongchai and Rose Wong) Taste Magazine

Shelburne Farms, Shelburne - (Maria Buteux Reade) Edible Vermont

You probably don’t need foods with added protein, nutritionists say - (Maria Cheng) The Boston Globe

Newsletters I loved

Crossing the Andes on Horseback - (

Nicholas Gill

) New Worlder

Understanding Peruvian Nikkei Food - (

Nicholas Gill

) New Worlder

The Best Gnocchi: Gnocchi alla Sorrentina - (

Valentina Solfrini

) L’Appetito

Never Meet Your Heroes'... Wives - (

Celeste Davis

) Matriarchal Blessing

La Dolce Vita Does Not Exist - (

Sarah May Grunwald

) Contadina

Rescuing our recipes: Preserving Palestinian culture in times of war - (

Lama Obeid

) I Come From There

On inspiration and influence - (

Will Cooper

) A Private Chef

Summer Chilling: Recipes for three Italian liqueurs plus lemon granita - (

Domenica Marchetti

) Buona Domenica

Personal Notes

This has been my third 4th of July since I moved to the United States. For the first one, Ross and I were living in an apart-hotel in the Back Bay Area of Boston. Recently arrived from Europe, we went to see the Boston Pops music show and the fireworks by the Esplanade.

Last year, we were settled in our rented apartment and we had a quiet day. I also shared this strawberry and lavender galette recipe on the newsletter, in case you are interested.

This year, I spent it in New Hampshire, as I had a photoshoot for a very interesting work project. It was a day trip — long but very fulfilling creatively. The following day, a Saturday, was the continuation of the photoshoot in another location, in coastal Massachusetts. And last night, Ross and I walked to our new town center and discovered a band performing for the residents. A very lovely way to finish off this long weekend.

Choose which photo you want next for downloading

Choose which photo you’d like to download next. They are shots I’ve taken in my recent trip to Maine that represent the vibrancy of the season. You have different options to choose from in case you want to print it or have it as a backdrop!

You’ll receive the most voted image in the chat during Office Hours on Monday the 21st if you are a paid subscriber.