Hey Friend!

Apologies on sliding into your inbox a few days later than expected… I’ve been tied up with a crazy new project I’ll share in a moment! But first…Happy August!

August always reminds me of tomato season (even though it’s been so hot in Florida that our tomato plants stop flowering in the summers), with heirloom tomatoes and sweet varieties of red cherub tomatoes springing up at each and every farmer’s market.

And when people think of tomato season, they see BLTs, caprese salads, and yeah, even tomato soup. Don’t get me wrong, those are all A+ excellent ways to use fresh-in-season-tomates. But me??? I think of PIZZA!!! To be fair, I usually am always thinking of pizza. 😂 But during tomato season, I think of pizza an extra amount.

Pizza is the perfect food if you ask me. Carbs + cheese = comfort. Plus, you can get so creative with it! You can top it with whatever’s in the fridge or whatever is on sale at the grocery store that week.

🍕 Here are my favorite pizza recipes for making the most of tomato season:

​BEST EVER PIZZA DOUGH​ Sure, you can get a shortcut by buying pre-made dough at the store, but you already know I’m gonna tell you homemade tastes better. 😘 You can even make it without a mixer!

​CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE​ This is my go-to sauce for when I forgot I had a pint of cherry tomatoes sitting on the countertop (which is like…weekly)!

​MINI PIZZAS​ Why is everything more fun when it’s miniature?! These tiny pizzas are perfect for a single slice of a big heirloom tomato! 👀 They're also the best lil appetizer or lunchbox snack!

ℹ️ Not a pizzaiolo? (seriously, that’s what they call pizza professionals) Here are a couple of my favorite hacks for making perfect pies at home:

• Use a cookie sheet. Instead of trying to fuss with a pizza peel, shape it out on a baking pan! You still get a crispy crust, without the stress of sliding it off a paddle into a blazing hot oven.
• Par-bake your crust. Give your dough 3-5 minutes in the oven WITHOUT toppings, then remove it and top it to your liking for a more stable base.
• Grill it. Yes, really! You can place a cookie sheet or baking steel on the grill and bake your pizza outside to avoid turning the oven on (something people on threads are VERY passionate about).

✨Need even more pizza inspo? Here’s the fresh produce August is serving up this summer:

• corn - Have you seen the viral tiktok videos of people sharing how to shuck corn?! Not gonna lie, it blew my mind. I love that people are always discovering stuff like that, it’s reason alone to preserve the TikTok culture. 😂 And believe it or not, corn on pizza IS a thing, and it’s really very good (especially with roasted peppers, too)!
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• green beans - yes, green beans, on pizza. Every year they top my Thanksgiving Leftover Pizza and every year, they’re a hit! Pesto green beans would be especially delicious on a summer veggie pie!
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• peaches - I love using peaches on pizza, it’s especially good paired with burrata, honey, and olive oil. The creamy burrata interior melts with the honey and olive oil to create a light “white style sauce” that screams SUMMER! Top it with some fresh basil leaves and you are in business! 🌿

🤿 Wanna dive deeper?

Check out the FULL BLOG POST HERE sharing what’s in season this month!
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and now, for something…unexpected 😅

I launched a snail mail recipe club! Impulsive? YES. Fun? MORE IMPORTANTLY YES!!! I’ve seen a few artists who do “print clubs” each month and I thought “…why aren’t there more RECIPE CLUBS?!” I asked the People of Threads™️ and there was an overwhelming response— the people want recipes mailed to them!!!

So, I just wrapped up sending 14 letter packs to my new penpals, and I’m getting started on month #2 as we speak! Members get an exclusive written letter, 1-2 recipe cards, and a few snail-mail goodies designed to inspire more creativity + connection, all built around a special monthly theme!

As you know if you’ve been around here for a while, it can get a little lonely when you’re blogging because you’re kinda just talking to yourself. This snail mail club is a way for me to connect with YOU in REAL TIME over recipes that are inspired by REAL MEMORIES and REAL PEOPLE.

My first edition was dedicated to my Grandma Marge + her love of fresh peaches. I realized I didn’t have a single peach recipe on the site, and took care of that immediately. I’m also thinking I need to add a bellini recipe or two…👀

So if you also miss the days of getting REAL MAIL in your mailbox from a REAL PERSON, check out the membership options over on my Patreon!

I hope August brings you tons of joy and lots of delicious moments, without bringing too much heat! Until next time, friend!

Cheers! 🥂💕

P.S. Hit reply and tell me your most underrated OR hot-take pizza topping. I am a proud “pineapple on pizza” person. 😌