Enjoying my first wild Maine blueberry inspired me to share my top 25 favorite Ina Garten berry recipes on the blog. From iconic Flag Cake to Fresh Berry and Mascarpone Cream Tart and breakfast treats like Ricotta with Berries & Maple Syrup, Ina’s recipes highlight the best of summer berries.
I transformed a childhood favorite into a zesty summer delight with this Spicy Cucumber Salad featuring pickled red onions. Thinly sliced cucumbers are combined with homemade pickled onions, sour cream, and a touch of heat for a refreshing dish that balances cool creaminess with tangy spice. An ideal accompaniment for warm evenings.
Eric Kim’s kimchi bibimguksu is a refreshing cold Korean noodle dish made with somyeon noodles, kimchi, tomatoes, cucumber, and a soft-boiled egg. Tossed in a spicy gochugaru-sesame dressing, it’s an easy late-summer meal that puts farmers market produce to delicious use and may win over even the biggest kimchi skeptics at dinner.
For six years, I never missed an episode of The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Looking back, I understand why Rosie meant so much to me as a closeted gay kid growing up in rural Ohio. I’m sharing that story, along with homemade Ring Dings inspired by the treats she gave her audience.
Samin Nosrat’s Russian Honey Icebox Cake delivers the caramelized flavor of Russian honey cake without baking 12 delicate layers. Store-bought graham crackers soften beneath burnt honey dulce de leche cream during an overnight chill, creating an impressive make-ahead summer dessert with an effort-to-reward ratio perfect for special occasions or easy entertaining.
After seven years away, I returned to Chicago ready to eat! From Pequod’s pan pizza and Daeji Dough Company’s brisket roll to Daisies’ beet agnolotti and Bayan Ko’s adobo wings, these are the dishes I loved most, plus a few favorite neighborhood spots and places still on my list for next time.
This decadent Nutter Butter Icebox Cake is a nostalgic, no-bake dessert layered with a peanut butter–mascarpone cream and topped with homemade magic shell. Inspired by a childhood favorite, it features a crunchy Nutter Butter crust and chopped peanuts for extra texture – perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Wondering what to make with a summer CSA box? This practical guide shares tested recipes, no-recipe ideas, and preservation tips for tomatoes, zucchini, romaine, baby leeks, eggplant, sweet corn, red potatoes, and cherry tomatoes, helping you use peak-season produce before anything gets forgotten in the crisper drawer all week long.