Taste of Home June/July 2021

The expression “you eat with your eyes first” really hits home with this issue, from our cover’s deliciously fresh Tomato Galette with Basil Pesto & Feta by Kate Wood (page 43) to the vibrant dishes jumping off the pages in “Deep in the Heart of Tex-Mex” (page 54). Summer is when our produce shines, and we relish in the joy of homegrown tomatoes, sun-soaked backyard peppers and oodles of zucchini that are only steps from our kitchen tables If you need new ideas for zucchini, we’ve got you covered in “Gad-Zukes” (page 48), with sweet and savory options that will make you glad you grew so much! You’ll have plenty of tasty treats to share with family and friends. I’m a huge fan of juicy summer peaches, so I can’t wait to…

PERFECT FOR A PICNIC Bust out those baskets and coolers and grab your sunniest blanket—it’s picnic time! And Taste of Home has you covered with the crispest, coolest, creamiest summer salads to pack along with you. Start with our 10 fun spins on macaroni salad on page 68, then head to our website for more scrumptious salads. Whether you’re looking for keto-friendly options, gluten-free ideas, vegan recipes or peppy fruit salads that please everyone, you’ll find’em all online. tasteofhome.com/picnicsaladsJJ21. Joyce Moynihan Lakeville, MN Joyce joined as a volunteer Field Editor in 2013 and continues her legacy in our new Community Cooks program. “What I’ve enjoyed most about the program is the friendships I’ve made,” she says. “Even though we’ve never met, I feel as if I’ve known them for years!” Joyce has over 20…

On a sweltering summer day, there’s nothing better than an IT’S-IT—a scoop of ice cream sandwiched between two soft and chewy oatmeal cookies, all dipped in dark chocolate. IT’S-IT sandwiches have been delighting San Franciscans since 1928, when George Whitney created the confection and served them to hungry customers at the city’s iconic Playland-at-the-Beach. Since then, they’ve expanded to shops in eight states, and the delectables are shipped throughout the U.S. These days, you can find IT’S-IT sandwiches in flavors including cappuccino, mint, strawberry and even green tea! Or try our homemade version below—you can smother’em completely with chocolate like a true IT’S-IT, dunk’em halfway, or drizzle to your delight. Almost It’s-It Ice Cream Sandwiches You’ll discover why the treat is so popular in San Francisco. It’s snack heaven: ice cream, delicious…

This N/A drink may look like rosé, but it’s actually infused with crystals and botanicals that calm anxiety while promoting physical wellness. Rock Grace Crystal Elixir $18 rockgrace.com Shake up your margarita or paloma with this zero-proof tequila—you won’t taste the difference, but you’ll feel so much better the next day. Ritual Tequila Alternative $26 kegworks.com This fizzy beverage is inspired by the brewery’s flagship IPA. It’s a no-calorie, no-ABV drink that tastes like hoppy beer. Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher $6/4 totalwine.com MINDFUL MODERATION Zero-proof “mocktails” are more popular than ever, allowing everyone the ability to mix up something special any night of the week and still feel good the next morning. See all our trends at tasteofhome.com/foodtrendsJJ21.…

Fight Signs of Aging. Ward off evidence of advancing age, such as wrinkles and dark spots, by simply snacking on blueberries! Anti-aging is one of the top sought-after natural skin-care benefits. The antioxidants in blueberries combat free radicals from sun exposure, which can cause damage to our skin over time and speed up the aging process. Blueberries are also rich in skin-friendly vitamin K and manganese. Lower Risk of Cancer. Some studies have shown that including blueberries in your regular diet can lower the risk of cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, eating blueberries can increase antioxidant activity in the blood and potentially prevent DNA damage. Blueberries’ dietary fiber can also decrease the risk of aerodigestive cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, lung and stomach cancers. Aid in Digestion. Let’s talk gut health!…

KNOW YOUR DOG. Be honest with yourself about your dog’s personality and training. No matter how well-behaved your pup is at home during a meal, not all dogs have a temperament well-suited to dining out in public, says Sarah Wooten, a veterinarian expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance. Dogs that are aggressive, are easily startled, are territorial, don’t do well with strangers, bark a lot, are high energy, have special medical needs, or need a lot of attention are likely to have a difficult time in any public space but especially in close quarters like a restaurant. If there’s any doubt that your dog can’t handle dining out, leave him at home, Wooten says. KNOW THE RESTAURANT. Similarly, some restaurants are better suited to hosting dogs than others, says Jeff Carbridge, a certified animal…