Welcome to the latest edition of Food52 Founder Amanda Hesser’s weekly newsletter, Hey There, It’s Amanda, packed with food, travel, and shopping tips, Food52 doings, and other matters that catch her eye. Get inspired—sign up here for her emails.
I’m in Florida, visiting my mom Judy, otherwise known as the Oven-Fried Chicken Lady. I was reminded that as a myopic New York food media person, I often forget that in other places foods are in season at different times than they are in New York! The farmers market here has already blown through asparagus and strawberry season and marched on to zucchini, green beans, and cherry tomatoes. For Floridians, this Zucchini Butter recipe from Jennie Cook is a winner. (Here’s the pan I cooked it in.)
Meanwhile, up in New York, spring has just about sprung, and Noah dutifully celebrated the fleeting ramp with a Charred Ramp Gremolata.
I’ve been told that May is National BBQ Month. Not to nitpick with the marketers, but, as an American, isn’t every month National BBQ Month?
Anyway, we snagged Pitmaster and Barbecue Showdown contestant Kareem El-Ghayesh to join Noah in the Test Kitchen for a Recipe Drop video on lamb. He showed us the difference between lamb rack, lamb ribs, and lamb breast, and how best to cook them when you’re not outside with an open fire.
Baker Ivy Woolenberg came to our Brooklyn office to make her viral Matcha Brookies with Anna. You can watch them together in the kitchen here.
On What’s For Fika, Nea casually braided a Pistachio Loaf like it was no big deal.
Getting back to seasons, no matter where you are in the country, we’ve entered the season of being outdoors, barefoot, and holding a cold beer while yelling at the kids. Oh, wait, that was the ‘70s. Now you can hold a chilled Ghia and encourage the wee ones to make better choices. To maximize your outdoor time, here are a few key supplies:
All eyes are on summer,
Amanda
