Summer Yule

IN THE KITCHEN WITH SUMMER YULE

Tell us about yourself:

Hi! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian who loves to cook and to eat! I run SummerYule.com, a recipe and nutrition resource, from my home in central Connecticut. I hope to inspire others to create a happy, healthy, and delicious life with recipes using (mostly!) whole foods. As a dietitian, I try to ensure I’m offering something for everyone, whether that’s air fryer recipes, low carb dishes, or vegetarian treats. When I’m not working on the blog, I enjoy running, hiking, reading, and gardening.

How did you get involved in cooking?

I’ve always enjoyed cooking and food. I can remember flipping through Betty Crocker’s Cookbook for Boys and Girls as a small child, planning all of the delicious things I was going to make. I quickly took over planning the menus and grocery shopping in my household as an adult, simply because I liked to do it. After battling breast cancer and intentionally losing 70 lbs., the intersection between our health and the foods we eat became a related interest of mine. This is what led me to return to school to become a dietitian and to obtain a Master’s in Health Promotion.

Describe your cooking style:

I love to create nutritious dishes packed with high-quality animal protein and a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables. I also leave some room for occasional fun indulgences, particularly on holidays! My main aim in regards to my everyday cooking is to create something nourishing that pleases both the taste buds and the eyes. I like to experiment with new ingredients and flavors as often as possible- I guess you could call my cooking style adventurous!

How did you learn about grass-fed meats?

I was interested in the treatment of animals that were being used for food from a young age. Years ago, I came across the Weston A. Price Foundation and read the book Nourishing Traditions. I’d say those are the resources that first put the nutritional benefits of grass-fed meats and pastured dairy on my radar.

What is your favorite recipe featuring grass-fed meat?

My Cheeseburger Salad with a Secret is SO GOOD and will win over even the most ardent salad haters. It will have you craving salad! The grass-fed ground beef with liver, heart, and kidney works wonderfully in this dish and is a delicious way to incorporate some healthy organ meats into the diet. To be perfectly honest, I can’t usually stand the taste of beef liver, but I really enjoy this blend.

You’re stranded on a desert island; luckily, you’re stranded with your top 5 ingredients and one must-have kitchen tool:

Do I have electricity and refrigeration or are my foods going to be delivered to me at meal times? (Am I overthinking this slightly? Haha) I think I could do well with grass-fed steaks, berries (strawberries or raspberries, please), cheese, potatoes, and some leafy greens. That should be enough variety to help me stave off major nutrient deficiencies, and also enjoy delicious meals. I bet I’d have access to some seafood as well.

I’d also need some sort of filtration system to create potable water if I don’t have access to any. With clean water and no electricity, I think I’d want a good knife for my kitchen tool. If I have clean water and electricity (lucky!), an Instant Pot with an air fryer lid would be my top pick for a kitchen tool. You can make practically anything in a multipurpose cooker!

Best cooking secret/tip/piece of advice you’ve learned:

Keep trying new things! You could be missing out on the best food or recipe EVER if you aren’t willing to try something new! (I practice what I preach- inspired by Sasha Martin’s book “Life from Scratch,” I’ve managed to cook a dish from each country in the world!)

What’s your favorite quote/song for culinary inspiration (if any)?

“Food unites us all.” If you want to learn more about a new place or person, learning about their food can be a good place to start. I think of the foods I make in my kitchen as a tapestry composed of threads from my upbringing, my travels, things I’ve read and watched, and those I’ve met along the way.

Anything else you want to share?

If you want to join in on the fun and get some new recipe ideas, you can follow me on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. It makes my day when someone lets me know they tried and love one of my recipes!

Social Links:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SummerYuleRDN
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SummerYuleRDN/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SummerYuleRDN/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SummerYuleRDN

Enter To Win!

Enter to win our November 2021 Delicious + Nutritious Contest for a chance to win $150 bundle of farm fresh food.
Contest runs from November 1 – 14, 2021.