Summer Recipes

Fresh Peach Cake

My enthusiasm for fall apples knows no bounds and I hold no grudges against pumpkin spice everything.  But just because schools are back in session doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to all the amazing fruits and veggies that are still at their peak.  (Speaking of school, when this recipes posts, I will be…

Long’s Yellow Tomato Soup

A delightful summer soup with a stunning color and a hint of optional heat. Yellow tomatoes are also a lower acid tomato with lots of natural sweetness.   The mere description of this soup inspired me to plant yellow tomatoes in our backyard garden. The first year, I think I got three.   The second…

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…

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Popular Mexican street fare is reinvented as a flavor-packed salad that’s quick to prepare and always a hit!   I’m pretty sure I was a college graduate before I witnessed someone putting anything but butter and salt on corn on the cob. After all, I grew up in Lancaster County where corn is frequently consumed 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

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 up this satisfying seasonal salad.  Spoiler: there’s an easy way to convert this into a flavor-packed pasta salad, because who doesn’t love a delicious…

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…

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