Savor summer with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a collection of inventive, well-tested, healthful recipes. From soups and sides to mains and desserts, these ideas celebrate peak produce and easy cooking.
Summer Soups — Blend the season’s best garden vegetables into refreshing bowls of summery goodness.
The ultimate summer soup—lightened, creamy, and full of flavor. Vegan and delicious.
A smooth blender base finished with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh herbs for a bright, simple soup.
Small Matt’s Wild Cherry and Aunt Ruby’s German Green are two favorites—each variety brings unique sweetness and texture.
My go-to cold soup: cooling, refreshing, and packed with probiotics and fiber in every spoonful.
Best Side Dishes — Visit a local farmers’ market and cook with what inspires you.
Fun and simple to make—these pickles store in the refrigerator with no special equipment required.
Sweet, smoky corn is a perfect addition to a warm summer barbecue.
Brush on grilled corn or use as a flavorful spread for summer dishes.
Cooked quickly in a cast-iron skillet and served with roasted garlic remoulade, bread, and butter pickles—one of my favorites.
Bite-sized heirloom tomatoes paired with creamy feta and a zesty vinaigrette make an effortless summer salad.
Varieties like Chocolate Chestnut, Green Tiger, Amish Gold, Black Cherry, and Brandywine offer earthy, almost smoky sweetness—try different kinds to find your favorites.
A twist on the Spanish tortita—these vegetable griddle cakes are irresistible; you’ll want more than one.
A must-try: summer peaches become even more flavorful when grilled; simple, fresh, and delicious.
Satisfying Mains
An easy summertime dish with smoky notes; the herb-pistachio gremolata comes together in minutes.
Quickly mix lemon zest and juice, olive oil, pistachios, tarragon, lavender, and garlic for a bright topping.
Colorful, zesty, and light—this sauce pairs beautifully with grilled chicken skewers.
Grilled eggplant rolled around herb ricotta and burrata, baked in a zesty marinara—an elegant vegetarian main you can make ahead.
A great make-ahead dish to feed a crowd.
Homemade Pad Thai loaded with summer vegetables—add fresh mint, peanuts, and bean sprouts for texture and brightness.
Crispy, smoky, and restaurant-quality—perfect straight from the grill.
A light summertime salad, served as a main or first course.
This classic gets a modern update with fresh pink shrimp and a zippy Louis sauce.
A quick and tasty meal: mix mustard, herbs, garlic, and mayo, coat the fish, and broil for a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner. Opt for local, sustainable fish when possible.
A Sweet Finish — Desserts
A lighter take on a favorite—surprisingly delightful texture and bright peach flavor.
An astonishingly simple pie with only four ingredients and a press-in granola crust—light, dreamy filling with vibrant raspberry flavor.
A delicious combination of ground nuts, cinnamon, jam, confectioner’s sugar, and oats for texture.
A plant-based, dairy-free summer treat—more natural and flavorful than many commercial frozen yogurts.
Enjoy the flavors of summer while they last…
Karen
Linked Recipes:
Cold Tomato Bread Soup with Basil (Karen’s take on “Salmorejo”)
Summer Gazpacho in Two Easy Steps
Cool Cucumber-Kale Blender Soup with Apricots and Walnuts
Karen’s Zesty Quick Dill Refrigerator Pickles
Grilled Corn in the Husk with Tomato-Basil Butter
Stir-Fried Blackened Green Beans
Simple Tomato & Feta Salad with Dill and Radish Vinaigrette
Corn and Zucchini Tortitas
Grilled Peach Salad with Sweet & Sour Vinaigrette
Sunflower Satay Sauce for Noodles and Grilled Chicken Skewers
Planked Salmon with Pistachio-Tarragon & Lavender Gremolata
Beet Tzatziki Sauce with Spiced Chicken Skewers
Grilled Eggplant Rollatini with Garlicky Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping
Summer Pad Thai with Eggplant and Corn
Karen’s Perfect Pizza Dough
Modern Shrimp Louis Salad
Weeknight Filet of Sole with Mustard Sauce
Vanilla Ice Milk & Peach Melba Parfaits
Raspberry Marshmallow Pie with Granola Crust
Karen’s Blueberry Oat Linzer Bars – Gluten Free
Vegan Black Cherry Ice Cream + Cashew Brittle