Editor’s Letter

21

SEPTEMBER 2021

Contents

FROM MARTHA

A Modern Makeover 15 Our founder reveals her latest kitchen remodel.

GOOD THINGS

21 Easy ways to beautify your work space, a satisfying after-school snack, DIY dining-chair updates, and more.

GOOD LIVING

The Well-Kept Home: Utility Players 27 Smart tips for organizing your pantry and cleaningsupplies closet.

Gardening: Leaves of Grass 33 Slow your mow and plant some breezy, ornamental native varieties.

Tastemaker: The Bon Vivant 34 Stylish essentials from a fashion-andcrafting entrepreneur.

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Beauty School: Grab Your Pencils 36 They’re the gifted- and-talented way to enhance your eyes, cheeks, and lips.

American Made: Amazing Grains 42 The century-old story of a family’s Asian-style, California- grown rice.

Health & Wellness: Check Your Messages 44 Leg spasm? Eye twitch? Learn how to translate (and treat) five bewildering body signals.

EVERYDAY FOOD

Healthy Appetite: Crown Champion 55 Broccoli brings mega-nutrients to three tasty recipes.

Perfecting a Classic: A Better Granola 58 We’ve cracked the code to a crunchy, clustery batch.

What’s for Dinner? Burger Night 60 Shake things up with these creative riffs on the classic.

Homeschool: Substitute Teacher 62 Last-minute swaps for eight key cooking ingredients.

Potluck: Spreading the Love 64 An acclaimed Israel-born chef shares the secrets to her famous hummus.

Departments

Martha’s Month 2 Editor’s Letter 8 Out & About 11 The Workbook 100 Recipe Index 101 Remembering 108

| ON THE COVER | ALL SHINED UP A display of brass and copper chargers adds glamour to the revamped kitchen in Martha’s Maple Avenue home in Bedford (see page 15). Photograph by Paola + Murray. Styling by Lorna Aragon.

FR AN K FR AN C ES ( VES S ELS, B RO CCO LI C U RRY ); RYAN LIEB E (C LOS E T ); CO U RTESY O F MAN U FACTU RER (C RE AM)

Hold for applause.

EDITOR’S LET TER

Hat Tricks

AS WE H E AD I NTO FALL and life invariably speeds up in September, I find myself honing my routines and vowing to make busy weekday mornings (breakfast, school drop-off, work commute) as efficient and enjoyable as possible; our evenings fun and relaxing; and weekends something to dive into. And while I love the idea of just throwing something on in the morning, or throwing something together for supper, I’ve learned that planning is everything. It takes some effort to make it all look—and, most important, feel— effortless. For starters, you need to have the right stuff on hand, like a well-edited wardrobe and a stocked kitchen. Even a magician needs to procure that rabbit before pulling off the hat trick.

Fortunately, this issue is filled with smart solutions and strategies for taking the stress out of September—and helping you live better. It’s truly a gorgeous month, after all (especially when you don’t let the back-to-work/school/ book club demands run you over). In “Eat Like an Italian,” we wholeheartedly encourage you to load up on the season’s final bumper crop of produce at the farmers’ market. Then you’ll be ready to throw together those recipes any night of the week (page 76). You can also ace a quick breakfast by whipping up a heavenly batch of granola (page 58). To help your home hum along with you, we offer brilliant ideas for your kitchen, pantry, garden, and beyond. I hope you enjoy this volume, and that it makes your September feel all the more “voilà!”

| LIVING IN MY LIFE | Here, just a handful of our ideas that I’m excited about this month.

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We’ve got you covered for dinners both special and casual. If your burger night is feeling played out, check out these patties. Page 60.

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This simple, delicious granola recipe can be customized to whatever you like and have in your pantry. Page 58.

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When Martha said she was selling her iconic East Hampton home, I teared up. But in true Martha fashion, she’s not sad—she’s excited for the next chapter! In that spirit, we celebrate Lily Pond Lane. Page 68.

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I’ve already enlisted home editor Lorna Aragon’s tips for organizing pantries and supply closets. Clever, stylish, sustainable. Page 27.

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Martha’s 99th book (!), Fruit Desserts, hits bookstores this month, and it is something to behold. Get an exclusive sneak peek at six dreamy treats. Page 88.

VI CTO RIA PE ARSO N (HAT ); RYAN LIEB E (L AD D ER); FR AN K FR AN C ES (G R AN O L A , B U RG ER); PIE TER ESTERSO H N (LILY P O N D L AN E); CO U RTESY O F C L ARKSO N P OT TER /PU B LIS H ERS (BOO K )