Welcome to Our First Newsletter – Let's Celebrate Tomatoes, Melons, and All The Things
We can’t believe it… It’s finally here—our very first newsletter! TJ and I are so excited to bring you into our world, where we combine our love for high-quality Mexican, specifically Oaxacan, food with the flavors of our childhoods and beyond. Right now, we’ve been having the best of times in the kitchen with some of the season’s best produce, and trust me, there’s no better time to dive into all the melons and tomatoes you can get your hands on. Seriously, they’re that good.
I grew up with tomates criollos in Oaxaca (Zapotec tomatoes), a variety that is full of rich, deep flavor—whether you’re tossing them into a simple salad or slow-cooking them into a sauce, they never disappoint. Tomatoes are such a cornerstone of both TJ’s and my cultures, and it feels like magic when they hit their peak, just begging to be enjoyed at their simplest and best.
And melons? Well, they’re having their moment too. We’ve been making dishes like our Melon & Cucumber Salad with Pepita Pesto, which is packed with the nutty richness of pepitas—an ingredient that’s been a Mexican kitchen essential for centuries. Fun fact: pepitas are a quiet hero of Mexican cuisine, adding crunch, depth, and history to so many dishes. In this salad, they shine in a pesto that’s the perfect companion to sweet, juicy melons.
Whether you’re grabbing ingredients from the local market or foraging (if you’re like TJ in the upstate Orchard), now’s the time to keep things simple and let these seasonal beauties do the heavy lifting. These recipes are the kinds of dishes we’ve been making at our homes—easy for weeknights but special enough for sharing with friends. And don’t miss the rest of this month’s menu, with Sungold Chilaquiles, Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata and Salsa Macha, and a Clover Club Cocktail highlighting one of our favorite Mexican gins, Condesa Gin
We’re beyond excited for the months ahead, especially as we roll into the holiday season. Thank you for being part of this journey with us! We hope you enjoy these recipes, and don’t forget to share them with your friends.
Much love,
Bricia & TJ
