Ahh…summer is finally here! Whether you’ve planted a garden, belong to a CSA, have a favorite farm stand or simply want to take advantage of all the seasonal produce at the grocery store, I’ve got you covered with 22 Delicious Recipes to Make This Summer.
I’m starting the list with some sweet treats (shocking, I know ;) but keep scrolling for ice cold beverages, appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and salads.
Most of the recipes come together pretty easily, because, after all, it’s summer. So, let’s keep it as simple as possible, shall we?
Fudgy Zucchini Brownies mix up easily in your food processor! (No grating!) Lower in sugar, flour and fat than many traditional brownie recipes.
We stored them in the refrigerator and loved eating them cold. They’re fudgy and remind me a little of a flourless cake (though they do have flour in them.) So good!
Grilled Zucchini Caprese Stacks– Thick, meaty slices of zucchini are brushed with an herby garlic olive oil then grilled. Then you just stack them with some hearty slices of tomato and fresh mozzarella, and layer them with some seasoned panko in between, throw them back on the grill ’til the cheese gets nice and melty. Yum!
White Zucchini Cake with Whipped Vanilla Frosting, Lemon Curd and Blueberries- A moist, dense cake paired with a creamy, not too sweet vanilla frosting, tangy lemon curd and fresh blueberries. This is one of the few recipes on this list that is a little more involved since you’re making three components.
But, it’s a nice summery cake choice. Also, the whipped vanilla frosting is my go to if I’m not making Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting. It’s a great, not too sweet buttercream.
Chocolate Turtle Zucchini Cake, baked with toasted pecans and mini chocolate chips on top, then drenched with a super easy hot buttery caramel sauce!
This is one of my favorite chocolate cakes. It’s so moist from the zucchini, nice and chocolatey…and you know I love a turtle combo wherever I can get it. The warm caramel sauce is mandatory and takes this cake to a swoon worthy level! Definitely save some zucchini for this one!
Easy All Butter Pie Crust- Delicious, easy to roll, flaky, buttery crust with no mess! Conquer your fear of making pie crust with this tip filled recipe and video!
Blueberry Galette– Take advantage of blueberry season and my Easy All Butter Pie Crust, then make this delicious rustic pie. If you make the crust in advance, dessert can be ready in no time!
Strawberry Shortcake- A delicious biscuit based shortcake that’s lightly sweetened and sturdy enough to stand up to juicy fruits and ice cream toppings. If you love my scone and biscuit recipes, this one is a must try. Amazing with strawberries, but change it up with other berries, cherries or fresh peaches, too!
Fresh Lemonade– There’s nothing like lemonade made from fresh lemons. This recipe touts an easy to make lemon simple syrup. Keep some in your refrigerator. You can adjust every glass to individual taste. Just add water and ice and you’ve got yourself some thirst quenching lemonade!
Fresh Peach Iced Tea– This recipe is made with an easy peachy simple syrup with options to use as a clear syrup, as a syrup with the peaches in it or as a peachy puree. Every option gives you great fresh peach flavor, so choose your favorite!
Georgia Peach Cobbler- Fresh peaches, lightly spiced and sweetened with two kinds of sugar, are baked under a delicious sweet biscuit topping! It’s peaches and cream heaven :)
Peach Ricotta Olive Oil Muffins- Fluffy and full of fresh peaches, creamy ricotta and olive oil. A crunchy lid of almonds and raw sugar top them off.
Asian Peanut Chicken Slaw– If you have a Trader Joe’s, this recipe makes a tasty dinner in almost no time. There are tons of cheater short cuts. Pre-shredded cabbage and carrots, pre-cooked roasted chicken, and a bottled spicy peanut dressing will give you the head start to this quick and delicious main dish salad.
I love serving the cold salad over hot rice. This recipe is in regular rotation in my house all year long.
Moroccan Chicken– Take advantage of grilling weather to make this dish. This is a recipe for the MOST amazingly FLAVORFUL marinade made with parsley, cilantro, garlic and spices. Throw them all in a food processor and coat your chicken with it. It transforms a boring chicken breast into an exotic dinner. It’s mouthwatering and a must make!
Strawberry Cucumber Salad– Fresh, sweet strawberries, crunchy cucumbers, zesty orange and briny feta. This is an easy salad to adapt to whatever fruit, cheese or veggies you may have on hand. Just mix them up and toss with the orange vinaigrette and you’ve got yourself one refreshing salad!
Kiwi Berry Spinach Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing- Creamy goat cheese and candied pecans top this colorful salad with a dressing that’s not too sweet! It’s a little bit of a twist on your typical spinach salad.
Roasted Potato Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing– I pretty much have never met a potato salad I didn’t like. I created this one as a fun twist on classic potato salad. I love the flavor and texture of roasted potatoes in this dish. And where there are avocados, limes and cilantro involved? You just know it’s gonna be good! And potato salad is always better the next day, so feel free to make this one ahead.
Garden Green Bean Salad- An easy and delicious salad made with garden fresh veggies and a simple, made in the bowl, vinaigrette. The richness of the egg yolk balances beautifully with the vinaigrette. This is my dad’s recipe and I think of him every time I make it.
It’s delicious served warm, room temperature or cold. If you have leftovers, the flavors just continue to mix and meld.
Grilled Corn Salad- You can’t go wrong with grilled corn. I added fresh garden tomatoes, peppers and scallions then tossed with cilantro, lime, salt and pepper. Great as a salad or side dish! It’s perfect with all kinds of grilled meat.
Summer Hummus– This is an easy layered dip that takes advantage of your garden haul. Grill some fresh corn, chop up some cucumber and tomato. Layer it all on a bed of hummus. Top with crumbled feta and fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil.
You won’t believe how tasty this is! You can use it as a dip, but this is one you’re going to want to scoop up with more than just a chip. (Makes a great veggie sandwich!)
Roasted Okra- I had never cooked okra until it started showing up in my CSA last year. I was a little apprehensive but found a super easy way to prep this sometimes tricky vegetable. Just roast with olive oil, salt and pepper for a delicious snack, appetizer or side!
The flavor reminds me a little of roasted artichokes. (And, honestly, they were almost as addictive as french fries! Who knew?)
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash- The easy way to cook tender spaghetti squash. After trying many other methods, this is the only way I cook it now. Try my secret tip that you do right after it comes out of the oven :) It definitely makes a difference.
Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce- This sauce is almost life changing. It’s so easy and so delicious, you might never buy a jarred sauce again. Thick sliced fresh tomatoes are roasted with garlic, onion, olive oil and herbs for a fresh and flavorful tomato sauce.
Alrighty, then. That’s 22 Delicious Recipes to Make This Summer. Time to pick your favorite fruits or veggies and make something yummy. Let me know how it goes!