Summer Recipes

Sandy’s Tomato Pie

Essentially a crustless pie, the unique ingredients in this seasonal favorite create a crusty base that’s loaded with flavor and fabulous texture. (For those who need it, there’s an excellent gluten-free option in the recipe notes.)   Soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, Jell-O, and ice cream are normally on the menu the day someone…

Peach Melba Overnight Oats

Sweet peaches, tangy raspberries, creamy yogurt, and hearty oats come together quickly in this wholesome, prep-ahead breakfast that’s worth waking up for!   Sweet, juicy peaches, tangy raspberries, creamy yogurt, and hearty oats.  This is the recipe that sold my kids on oats several years ago–and eating them cold no less! Fruity flavors lead the…

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Smoked Almonds & Goat Cheese

This unique salad offers a little something smoky/salty/tangy plus a hint of crunch to balance the creaminess of the roasted eggplant. For a heartier meal option, stir cooked pasta into the eggplant mixture…or add the cold leftovers to a bowl of baby spinach for a filling green salad. My friend Dan’s two favorite foods are eggplant…

Mediterranean Zucchini Noodle Salad

Sort of like pasta salad (but not!) this flavor-packed recipe offers all the flavors of an Italian sub but with vegetables taking center stage. Think Italian sub in veggie form. That may sound like a strange comparison (and you might say hoagie, depending on where you’re from), but it’s a pretty good way to sum…

Sunflower Basil Pesto

This easy recipe is economical, loaded with flavor, and ideal for families with a nut allergy. Plus the pesto freezes well, so you can enjoy the versatile condiment all year long!   If I were to choose just one condiment to get me through the summer, it would be pesto. The fresh seasonal sauce can…

Deep Dark Chocolate Fudgesicles with Greek Yogurt

An easy-to-make treat that’s cool, creamy, and super chocolatey!   When my friend Nicole mentioned that 40 percent of what we do on a daily basis is habit, it really resonated. For several months, a small voice in my head had been telling me that I was eating too much sugar and that eliminating my…

Low Country Shrimp Boil

This festive, all-in-one meal is sure to become a summertime favorite! For a small gathering or fun weeknight family meal, simply cut the recipe in half. When I offered to cook for a dozen or so family members this past Mother’s Day, I pondered the perfect recipe long and hard. Ideally, the meal would be…

Strawberry Avocado Salad

Quick and easy to make, full of fresh flavor, and tossed with a simple poppyseed dressing – a side of grilled chicken or salmon is all that’s needed for a light and satisfying summer meal.   As I glance back on the last few posts, things are looking rather fruity and salad-y. Tis the season,…

Avocado, Watermelon & Mint Salad with Feta Cheese

Bursting with flavor and color, this light summer salad complements grilled chicken, fish, and steak beautifully. The simple prep makes it perfect for effortless weeknight meals and casual entertaining alike. My paternal grandmother and my mother shared an extraordinary knowledge of flowers, an ability to use them in artistic ways, and a general love of…

Tomato Tuna Melts

Light on mayo and big on flavor, two of these speedy Tomato Tuna Melts deliver 25 grams of protein with just 10 grams of carbohydrates and 289 calories.   Most Mondays since the early ‘90s, my father has eaten a tuna melt. He belongs to a men’s lunch group that meets weekly, and after all…

Sweet Tea Brined Chicken

Sweet tea provides unexpected magic in this incredibly easy, marinated chicken that takes mere minutes to prep. Rest assured, the finished chicken is tender and juicy but doesn’t actually taste like iced tea!         When Mitch Nugent made a point by connecting two things I love—live theater and ice cream–I perked up.…

Peanut Butter Popsicles

Four easy ingredients create a refreshing, protein-rich treat that the whole family will love. Perfect for healthy snacks and dessert-and they will pass for breakfast!         Hot days call for cold treats. We’ve made our fair share of ice cream runs this summer (major thanks to Penny’s and Lancaster Sweet Shoppe 🙂…

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