Hi, Friends.

Last Sunday morning, I rose early to make cookies for my daughter's soccer team, her request for her 13th birthday. Feeling slightly pressed for time, I wondered if in place of softening and beating the butter in my stand mixer I could melt the butter instead — I do this for the one-bowl chocolate chip cookie recipe I included in Pizza Night, a recipe that has become a go-to for its ease and speed.

I gave it a go, and Friends, it worked. The cookies look slightly different — a little more crinkly, which I like — but the flavor and texture — soft and chewy — are nearly identical. The girls loved them, and the exercise has me wondering: Will I ever soften butter again?

It's something I will be pondering as I stand on the sidelines this weekend. I'm in PA for a soccer tournament with all of my children, and I am gearing up for a very rainy weekend. I packed all the raincoats, sneakers, and newspapers (to stuff into cleats) I could find, and, for once, I actually feel slightly prepared for the weather. We shall see. Hope the sun is shining wherever you are ☀️☀️☀️

PS: This is something I have been doing recently, and everyone has been loving it: grilling chicken, then spooning chimichurri over it as soon as it comes off the grill. For the chicken itself, I have tried various marinades and rubs, but the one I like most is a very simple dry rub I used over the winter on wings. The chimichurri recipe is on the blog, but the dry rub and chicken recipe is not. I have typed it up in this Google Doc and would love to know your thoughts if you give it a go. I think it's one I'll post to the blog soon.

Review of the Week

​⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️​

Mrs. Myers Banana Bread (AKA The Best Banana Bread Ever)

"I used to use a recipe that was quite different from this, using oil, not as many bananas, and always adding cinnamon. I tried your banana bread recipe, and my teenager commented, “Mum, that banana bread was banging!" Now it’s my go-to recipe — it always gets rave reviews!

— Charlotte

PS: If your bananas are ripening like mad, peel them and freeze them:

Be sure to thaw them completely and allow the liquid to drain off before using. Baked banana bread also freezes beautifully.

Recipes for Memorial Day Weekend

Friends, I'm wishing you all a wonderful long weekend as we remember and give thanks to the many men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.

In this post, I've rounded up a few favorite recipes for the long weekend, including these no-knead brioche buns, this simple grilled chicken recipe, and this mixed berry galette. I've included a few highlights below, too.

​3-Ingredient Grilled Chicken: When you are pressed for time, this recipe will become your best friend. It takes no time to assemble, and people always rave.

​Classic Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette: Another great one for entertaining.

​Deli-Style Pasta Salad: Similar vibe to the chopped salad above, but in pasta form.

​Greek Salad: A decades-long family staple. The 5-Ingredient dressing is the one that turned my children into salad lovers.

​Veggie Loaded-Stuffed Peppers: A great vegetarian entrée. Meat lovers approve, too.

​Chicken Souvlaki: A summer staple with...

...Tzatziki and ...

... a Perfect Cucumber Salad:

If the forecast predicts rain: Oven-Baked Ribs aside...

... Perfectly Sweet & Moist Cornbread:

To start: Excellent Guacamole

To finish: Mixed Berry Galette​

​Fudgy, Shiny-Topped Brownies​

Thank You

Thank you to all who have ordered Pizza Night. If you haven't left a review yet, I would be so grateful if you did! 🙏🙏🍕🍕🥗🥗

5 Free Resources Available to You

• ​8-Video Chopping Tutorial​
• ​5 Secrets to Foolproof Bread Baking 🍞🍞 (email course)
• ​Sourdough Demystified 🍞🍞 (email course)
• ​How to Build a Sourdough Starter from Scratch (email course)
• ​Pizza School 🍕🍕 (email course)

PS: All previous editions of this newsletter are available here.