Easy Summer Recipes
Stop sweating meal time.
As we were just reminded, wilting through summer’s first major heat wave, when the temperatures rise, our desire to be in the kitchen falls (even with AC at full blast). And though we have returned to more manageable forecasts, there is also that seasonal desire to take it easy. Besides, many of summer’s bounties are meant to be enjoyed in their uncooked state (and without a lot of fuss). This is your cue to minimize your kitchen time without sacrificing the tastiness that suggests you spent hours on your culinary endeavors (though feel free to pretend that you did).
Get while the gettin's good.
We love that time of summer when cherry tomatoes are at their very best, and this recipe for Vodka Spiked Cherry Tomatoes is an excellent way to showcase them. We have done some version of “drunken tomatoes” for many years and would recommend that you play with it—try subbing in gin (or to keep it non-alcoholic, we like Seedlip Garden or Monday Zero Alcohol Gin) and bringing in blends like Old Bay or celery salt to spice things up.
Can stand the heat.
Is there anything more off-putting than a dairy- or mayonnaise-based dip that has seen too much sun? This Dairy Free Smoked Trout Dip, on the other hand, will not let you down. We love the protein-packed addition of the trout and almonds and could see pairing this with a salad and calling it a meal. Or just let it linger on the table paired with veggies, bread or crackers.
That’s amore.
The first time we visited Florence, nearly every restaurant had some version of this Zucchini Carpaccio. Some would use a peeler to create thin strips of the zucchini, so feel free to switch it up. It’s simple, refreshing and oh-so-delicious. Summer fare, defined.
Summer in a soup.
It seems obvious, but here’s a reminder: Gazpacho is a no-brainer for summer meals. It takes full advantage of tomato season, and is hearty and refreshing. We like to add a little crab meat or cold, cooked shrimp to make it a touch more satisfying as a meal.
This is key.
Curiosity about icebox cakes had been bubbling up when we ran across this Lime Cracker Pie. Having had success with many of Kenji’s recipes, we were intrigued, though slightly trepidacious, about how the Ritz crackers would be transformed. Our fears were allayed when we took our first bite: pure key lime heaven.
