Hi Reader,

August has that particular mix of wanting to squeeze every last drop out of summer while also quietly starting to get organized again. If that sounds familiar, you're in good company.

I have so much happening in the next few weeks before school starts! I swear summer just started!

Now it's back-to-school season, and this is one of those times I actually meal plan more intentionally — not in a rigid way, just enough to make the weeks feel manageable. That's a lot of what you'll see from me this month.

What's coming to the blog:

• Cooking School: What Is Béchamel? — one of the five French mother sauces and honestly one of the most useful things you can learn to make. Once you understand a béchamel, a lot of other recipes start clicking into place. (Mac and cheese, for starters — which is also coming this month.)
• One Pot Mac and Cheese
• After-School Snacks to Make — a roundup
• Chicken Stock — a recipe worth adding to your regular rotation

And if you're already thinking ahead about meal planning: grab your free menu printables and grocery list here. They're great for getting ahead before the chaos.

I'm also starting something new this month on Instagram — an Ingredient Highlight series. Short posts on one ingredient at a time: what it is, why it's useful, how I use it. August features whole milk, Gruyère, peanut butter, and bay leaves. So make sure you're following along!

A few recipes worth pulling up this month:

• Cilantro Lime Marinade — for the grill while you still have it going
• Creamy Dill Pasta Salad — for lunchboxes (make it a day ahead, it only gets better)
• One-Pot Rigatoni Ragu — for a weeknight when you want one pot and no fuss
• Zucchini Bread — for the zucchini you definitely still have
• Marinated Cherry Tomato & Mozzarella Salad — for end-of-summer tomatoes
• Pesto Basics — for the basil before it bolts
• How to Dry Dill (and Other Herbs) — for preserving your garden herbs

That's what's ahead. Happy August — I hope it's a good one.

Cheers,