Summer Recipes
Absolutely Famous Greek Dressing and Marinade
When I look through my ever-growing list of recipes, I notice quite a few that are modeled after memorable restaurant meals or frequently used store-bought products. In an effort to save money or control ingredients, readers sometimes ask if I can replicate items that they like to eat. Recent requests are as varied as belVita…
Asiago Pesto Spread
Two types of cheese and two types of nuts provide nuanced flavor in this time-tested pesto recipe that will add memorable flavor to so many meals. (Freezes well, too!) The flavor of pesto is unbeatable and its uses are many. The only downfall of so many pestos is that they are…
Abby’s Watermelon Salad
A little sweet, a little salty… this quick-to-assemble salad is perfect on a summer night paired with something off the grill. Though we only attended the same school for one year and weren’t even in the same grade, my friend Abby and I have a unique history and never fail to relive old memories…
Black Bean Dip (or Salsa or Salad)
Enjoy this easy, endlessly versatile recipe as a dip with chips, a salsa for fish or chicken, a super-simple salad, or the foundation of a healthy, plant-based meal. Perfect for a potluck and can be prepared up to a day in advance! Amidst all my experimenting with new recipes, this simple…
Beer Margaritas
This unconventional recipe makes a large pitcherful and tastes like the best version of the classic drink. Leftovers freeze well and become slushy-like! Cinco de Mayo is the perfect reason to enjoy a favorite Mexican meal, but what exactly is the holiday all about? Cinco de Mayo—the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862…
5-Ingredient Tropical Green Smoothie
I was skeptical. I purchase fresh spinach in a 5-ounce box, and the thought of putting all of it into a single smoothie recipe seemed…well…excessive. But in the name of helping a friend, I gamely tried this recipe. Ally Phillips, cookbook author, blogger, and longtime friend in food, was looking for a little assistance as…
Blistered Green Beans
Cook green beans in a flash while bringing out their very best flavor with this minimalist but effective approach. Need a 10-minute side dish that tastes great and goes with practically everything? For years I steamed my green beans. Occasionally, I roasted them. For the past year or two, however, broiling has been…
Greek-Style Grilled Chicken Dinner Salad
Last year, I shared a story about a friend of mine, Sarah Lanphier, whose successful college fundraiser led to a thriving granola company. Nuts About Granola produces a variety of uniquely delicious flavors–think carrot cake and PB&J–as well as a grain-free Forager line. Recently, Sarah launched a line of savory granolas, fittingly named Sarah’s Savory…
5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Pure vanilla flavor shines in this no-churn ice cream recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—and no fancy ice cream maker is required. I can still picture my grandfather packing rock salt into the barrel of his old ice cream maker when I was a kid. My sister and I…
Peach Ginger Shrimp Kabobs
Pantry and refrigerator staples come together with ease to create tender, flavorful shrimp that are easy enough for busy weeknights yet special enough for company. For a great meal at a moment’s notice, keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand. I first shared this twist on my Apricot Ginger Shrimp in a Susquehanna…
Chili Lime Chicken
Add memorable flavor to basic chicken with a blend of spices you likely have on hand. Perfect as is and in burrito bowls, with or without the optional sauce. When it comes to food preparation, I sometimes worry that I do too much for my kids. Most mornings, I have breakfast ready for them instead…
Flounder with Bacony Corn
With the familiar flavors of bacon and corn, this wholesome, all-in-one meal might just make a fish lover out of the toughest critic! At its best, summer cooking should be light yet satisfying, keep the heat to a minimum, and include lots of shortcuts. Realistically, we want to eat well without spending too much…
