Chickpea Ranch Dressing
Plus, a mini guide to summer SPF according to someone who was mistaken for being 10 years younger.
Hi! I’m Clare Langan, a Bay Area-based private chef, former head of content & social at Williams Sonoma and soon-to-be cookbook author. I’m heading into the holiday weekend with two things worth bookmarking: a pantry-friendly ranch dressing made with a surprising secret ingredient, and the SPF products I lean on for outdoor cooking and hosting season. If this was forwarded to you and you'd like to stay in the loop with weekly posts and cookbook updates, consider subscribing.
It may have been the Hawai’i evening light, but I was mistaken for a 29-year-old recently (add a dime for the correct age). I credit some women’s magazine article I probably read in one of my mom’s copies of Good Housekeeping or Prevention circa 1999 that mentioned wearing sunscreen. I started wearing Olay’s black-capped SPF moisturizer around age 14 and never really stopped. While my brand affinities have evolved over the years, I still wear sun protection on my face, and in recent years, on my neck, ears, and exposed chest and arms, every. single. day. Read on for my faves.
Prequel Mineral SPF 50 PA++++ Facial Treatment ($27) That’s a lot of plus signs! Started by a Bay Area dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis, this lightweight SPF sinks in and doesn’t leave a white cast on my (light) skin. It has a slight pink tink and a tiny bit of light reflection without any shimmer. I want to try their tinted SPF lip balm next.
Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Mist With Niacinamide ($30) For on-the-go touch ups when you don’t want to put on another layer of sunscreen. I’ve tried a lot of these types of mists and they all apply a bit glowy (re: oily) but I lean into it in the summertime. Thanks Kirbie Johnson for the recommendation on this brand!
ciele blush & PROTECT SPF 50+ liquid blush ($34) I noticed I was starting to get some sunspots on my cheeks, maybe due to where the sun hits or my sunglasses rubbing? I replaced my usual blush with this SPF liquid blush in ‘January’, a sheer raspberry pink, layering it on top of my daily SPF for extra protection.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum with SPF 40 and Niacinamide ($39) This is not a replacement for your base SPF base lotion, but excellent layered on top for additional protection. If I’m going to wear face makeup, I figure it might as well be doing something for me!
Vacation Classic Whip Sunscreen SPF 50 ( $23) This whipped cream-can SPF for the body went viral a few summers ago, and it continues to delight. My boyfriend hates the scent, but I love the nostalgic 90’s vibe. I brought it out at an outdoor hang a few years ago and it was stole the show.
I used to be devoted to Supergoop’s Glowscreen before my facialist remarked that I was probably the reason I was breaking out. It was fun while it lasted. Soooo good slapped on before a Zoom call. I still have a mini tube for shimmery shoulders.
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For whatever your holiday weekend looks like:
Recipe for Paid Subscribers
: Chickpea Ranch Dressing
What can't beans do? The liquid from a can of chickpeas, also known as aquafaba, started catching on about ten years ago in the nondairy and vegan world replacing eggs and egg whites in baking and emulsions. I'm squarely in the omnivore camp, and this quickly became my go-to pantry dressing for times when I don't have a fridge full of creamy dairy. The secret weapon is cream of tartar, an acid that helps strengthen the aquafaba as it emulsifies with the oil. Use any combination of herbs you like; for the most classic ranch flavor, a mix of parsley, dill, and chives is the move. One note: non-organic canned chickpeas (like Goya) tend to produce a thicker emulsion, so skip the organic canned or homemade bean liquid here if consistency matters to you.
If you’re looking for some truly innovative bean recipes, check out my friend Madeline of Bean Supporter.