Simple hummus

Summer time and the living is easy! Clearly, I've taken this to heart as I have not been blogging, or even really cooking, as of late. Though Paris in August is generally dead as all the locals empty out for their annual vacations, my month was pretty busy between work, organizing a bachelorette party and making a fun long weekend trip to Prague (more to come on this soon!).

Spicy caipirinha

My favorite cocktail? No doubt about it, the caipirinha! Brazil's classic drink of cachaça (a type of sugar cane liquor) mixed with muddled limes and sugar and lots of crushed ice is potent, refreshing and delicious - particularly in hot weather. There's something about a good caipirinha that always lifts my spirits and makes me feel like I'm on vacation somewhere warm and beautiful, listening to the smooth sounds of Tom Jobim or Vinicius de Moraes.

Sopa de tortilla (tortilla soup)

For as long as I can remember, I have loved Mexican sopa de tortilla (tortilla soup). Whether it's the thick kind where the tortillas and broth are pureed together to make a hearty base or the clear variety flecked with tortilla strips, nothing beats this spicy, savory soup! Years ago, I discovered this version from Bon Appétit magazine and have been making it ever since in endless variations. Corn and zucchini are my additions of choice, but I sometimes replace the zucchini with beans (preferably black or red). I usually add in the tortilla strips as they are at the end as explained here, but sometimes fry them a bit beforehand to have a crunch or use tortilla chips instead. The possibilities are endless! And best of all, this is a very healthy soup. Perfect for those who are counting calories, but delicious enough to satisfy anyone! Try it on its own or as the starter for a Mexican meal.