Bites for a Garden Party
pavlova w/ roasted strawberries, a tower of butter, chatting about citrus farming, fresh takes on bloody marys & pickles, cocktail tea bags, easy summer fashion
Happy Tuesday! I hosted some friends over the weekend for an intimate housewarming party. Really, I just wanted an excuse to chef up some fun snacks. Here’s what I made:
Kettle chip nachos w/ parm pepper butter, prosciutto, manchego, and balsamic pickled shallots (similar recipe here!)
Crudités board w/ skyr garlic ranch and lemony white bean dip
Toast 2 ways: heirloom tomato, stracciatella, spring onion & pesto butter, prosciutto, balsamic glaze
Whipped butter w/ edible flowers & fleur de sel
Pavlova w/ olive oil roasted strawberries, macerated yellow peaches, and salted orange whip cream
The skyr ranch was a unexpected fan favorite! Here’s how I made it:
Mix together 3/4 cup skyr, glug of olive oil, zest of 1 lemon, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 microplaned garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced dill.
Once full combined season with 1 tsp salt & 1 tsp freshly cracked pepper.
Taste & adjust seasoning as needed. Serve alongside veggies.
Other than prepping + hosting friends, I spent lots of time outside and attended Pride. What a beautiful reminder that so much love exists in the world and that Ohio isn’t as red as some would like you to believe (thanks gerrymandering!).
You might have seen on IG, because I won’t shut up about it, that I developed an olive oil vanilla bean ice cream last week and sheeeesh it’s delicious! I’ve become a vanilla bean convert over the past couple of years after I tasted a true VB ice cream. The artificially flavored stuff will never cut it imo. Plus, it’s so fun to see the little flecks in each bite. You’ll see this recipe soon!
This week’s podcast guest is Matt Mclean of Uncle Matt’s Organics, one of my favorite juice brands! We chat all about organic citrus farming, the importance in staying true to your craft, and the decimation of Florida citrus due to citrus greening disease. Such a great convo, especially if you’re interested in agriculture 🍊
Plus, 2 fun recipes featuring Farmer Foodie’s cashew parm that are perfect for hosting! I served the pickles this weekend and they were a hit.
More below <3
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Matt Mclean of Uncle Matt’s Organic
Matt McLean is the fourth-generation Floridian and the real-life “Uncle Matt” who founded Uncle Matt’s Organic in June 1999, motivated by a lifelong passion for healthy living and his family’s century‑long tradition of citrus farming.
Driven by a philosophy of enriching soil health and eliminating synthetic pesticides or flavor packets, his vision grew the brand into the top-selling organic orange and grapefruit juice in the U.S., available in over 15,000 stores nationwide. Through family-led innovation and a deep commitment to sustainable farming, using natural pest controls like tamarixia wasps and leading research on citrus greening, McLean has built Uncle Matt’s into a pioneering organic juice company with unwavering roots and purpose.
IG unclemattsorganic | unclematts.com
Listen to the episode:
Spotify | Apple Music | Substack
I have never been the biggest fan of a bloody mary but the wild toppings always piqued my interest. When I was pitching ideas for some more cashew parm recipes that would be perfect for parties, I knew I had to make the classic brunch drink work for me. Plenty of italian herb cashew parm and horseradish sealed the deal for me!
There’s nothing more fun than making pickles, especially when you get little cookie cutters to cut the veggies into cute shapes. If you have a mixture of veg setting in your fridge begging to be used, may I suggest this recipe?
I’m always on the hunt for the next fun na bev option and I recently got introduced to Sayso via TikTok. They are drink mixes in a tea bag that can be steeped for cocktails or mocktails. I feel like this would be such a fun item to utilize when traveling, camping, going to a party where you don’t know the drink situation, or just a nice bev at home. I really want to try the Spicy Marg first.
I don’t necessarily need another pair of barrel-style pants but maybe you do?! I’m obsessed with the color + fabric of this pair from Damson Madder.
I saw Alivia talk about these shorts and you know I can’t pass up a clothing item that comes in my ideal shade of orange. Suuuuper cute and perfect for throwing on all summer long.
Okay now this is fun - a monthly print club that’s only $7/mo! I found Maura on socials and quickly became obsessed with her style. I just joined, so I can begin to build out a gallery wall in the dining room. I’m also eyeing quite a few of her available prints.
Do I need a $65 bag charm, no but did the ad for this remind me of my love for the brand, yes. Everything Monica designs over at Santos is pure perfection. This red dress with the cutouts + electric blue plant-based leather tote (made with cactus fibers) are so chic.
I love an easy, throw-on-when-you-don’t-know-what-to-wear dress for busy summer days that easily transition to evenings with friends. I’m eyeing this poplin dress from Aritzia in the brown print.
2 media items for you:
Brooke Callahan x Sommer interview - I love her brand and any designer that has midwestern roots. This skirt by her is fab.
Sydney Graham on YouTube has become my new comfort creator. I really want to get back into sewing and to learn how to knit. Watching her sharing her crafting projects is pushing me closer and closer to pulling the trigger on a sewing machine + knitting classes.
3 food items for you:
Algae Cooking Club - a recently added oil that is perfect for frying & high heat cooking (who has a connect here because I’d love to work with them!)
BeeKeeper’s Naturals Propolis Stress Support Liposomal formula - I was graciously sent a package and it’s like they knew exactly what I needed right now because this formula truly works!
Littlefoot Matcha’s new Saemidori varietal - prized for its bright, mellow taste with minimal bitterness and a rich umami depth
xx,
Lauren (Hodgen)
Dear Citrus Diaries Host | @ citrusdiaries.studio
Citrus Diaries Studio | Creative Director
If you’re interested in working together, drop me a line: hello@citrusdiaries.com 🍊