Channeling Euro Summer (From Your Kitchen)

Welcome to Sunday Reset, where we share how we’re unwinding and what we have planned for the week ahead. This time, our editor, Julia, shares what she’s making and watching for a European-inspired summer.

If you haven’t heard, Euro Summer is officially trending. But let’s be honest—it kind of always is. Whether it’s Ina Garten roasting chicken in her Paris apartment or the dream of a long lunch under olive trees in the Italian countryside, the idea of slowing down and eating well is always in style.

But this year? It seems that everyone’s leaning in—and so are we in the Food52 Test Kitchen.

Since I’m not hopping on a plane anytime soon, I’m embracing a version of Euro Summer I can recreate at home.

That means long walks to the market (okay, grocery store), beach reads on the fire escape, and hosting aperitivo hour because it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in Italy. I asked around our staff to see how everyone else is channeling the vibe.

Noah recently made the best clam frites.

We’ve been discussing the ultimate DIY spritz bar: Aperol, Limoncello, Hugo, and my personal favorite, a Cynar Spritz.

Tess Gigone made Strawberry Rhubarb Choux au Craquelin in the latest episode of It’s Fine.

What We’re Reading

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

What We’re Watching

Before Sunrise

Call Me by Your Name

White Lotus - Season 2

Mamma Mia

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Claire's Knee

What We’re Cooking From

The Cook and the Gardener: A Year of Recipes and Writings for the French Countryside by Amanda Hesser

The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking by Chloé Crane-Leroux & Trudy Crane

20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends ― 40 Recipes): Friends and Food from the Heart of Chianti by John Bersani

Recipes We’re Saving

Chicken Fricassée With Artichokes

Aperol Spritz

Sunday Sauce

Caramelized Cherry Clafoutis

In case you missed it

I recently dove into the ultimate summer pairing: French rosé and dessert. (Spoiler: Lemon cake is a perfect match.) Read more about why Provence bottles are the move and what to serve with them here.