We've been waiting all year for seaside picnics, campside S'mores, and the chance to swap our business suit for a bathing suit. The sun is out, the sangria is sweeter, which can only mean it's officially summer! And when it comes to summer food we want it all: all watermelon, stone fruit, tomatoes, and corn a girl can buy and we want to cook it all ASAP.
But summer is about clocking in as much time as possible alfresco, so we want minimum time in the kitchen. Here are more than 30 no-fuss seasonal recipes that are fit for anything summer throws at you, from a last-minute Sunday brunch or easy picnic to a backyard BBQ or a cocktail party.
BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH
When fruit salad and toasted bread meet, they produce this sweet summery toast inspired by our travels to Hawaii.
Whole Grain and Poppy French Toast with Stewed Sour Cherries
Pour the Champagne because brunch is about to get an elegant upgrade with this French toast.
Prosciutto Parmesan Savory Waffles
Savory or sweet has long been the debate when it comes to brunch, but these sweet-salty waffles let you have it all!
From one of our favorite spots in Santa Barbara, this smoothie brings the sunshine with its tropical flavors and refreshing ginger twist.
SMALL BITES
{Ajvar} Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant Spread
In case you haven't gotten the memo, we're all about dips around here, and one we make nonstop this time of year is this charred red pepper and eggplant spread.
{Aguachile Verde} Chile Lime Marinated Shrimp
When it's too hot to cook, we turn to aguachile aka shrimp in a spicy herb marinade; this and a couple cold beers instantly transports us to Mexico.
Zucchini and Ricotta Salata Bruschetta
Is it just us or do the zucchini totally take over once they're in season? When that happens we make this sophisticated take on bruschetta with zucchini, Castelvetrano olives, Marcona almonds, and Ricotta Salata cneese.
When you just can't do avocado toast one second longer, do tostones topped with a chunky avocado salsa. The smashed, fried plantains are crispy, creamy, and salty and give a new look to avo toast.
Charred Corn and Zucchini Mini Mexican Pizzas
Any chance for pizza and we're there. We're not into laboring over pizza crust when it's triple digits outside, so we make this twist on tlayudas (the OG Mexican pizzas) and top them with tons of summer veggies.
SALADS AND SIDES
Grilled Mexican Corn Panzanella
One of the all-time classic street food snacks is hands-down Mexican corn (aka elote aka "Nacho Libre" corn) so this salad—where all those flavors come together for a take on panzanella—is a keeper.
Speaking of panzanella, this gluten-free version nixes bread in favor of light-as-air, totally addictive, hushpuppies.
Grilled Peach Panzanella Salad
Okay, yes, we are just slightly addicted to making panzanella this time of year. But when peaches are in peak form, grilling them and tossing them with charred bread and this vinegar-y dressing is panzanella perfection.
{Authentic Fattoush Salad} Tomato Avocado Fattoush Salad
The traditional Lebeanese dish that is fattoush is pretty much salad perfection with its mix of crunchy, fresh flavors. When avocados are in season here in California, we add them in for an upgrade we adore.
Salad in a puffy, fried taco shell? That's so expected! Here we wrap a summery salad in a tortilla for a welcome makeover.
Pistachio Feta Watermelon Salad
Some genius put salty feta with sweet watermelon and the rest is summer salad history. Well, it was until we upped the ante by adding in a pomegranate-balsamic dressing, tons of mint, and toasted pistachios.
Grilled Avocado Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
One of our favorite summer party tricks is throwing all sorts of unexpected stuff on the grill (oranges for your margaritas! poundcake for dessert!) and one that we have on repeat is grilled avocados served with a tangy Green Goddess Dressing.
Wild Rice, Mozzarella, and Tomato Salad
Possibly the most tame salad of the bunch, but that doesn't means it's boring. The nutty wild rice, creamy mozzarella, and sweet tomatoes make for a delicious Caprese salad that we're all about.
MAINS
This is a choose-your-own adventure situation when it comes to the veggies. Add as many as you want so long as they don't steal the spotlight from the star, these super herby, spiced falafel.
Nothing transports us to Florence in the summertime faster than grilled tagliata steak.
The delish dish from Hawaii known as huli huli chicken requires a rotisserie and Hawaiian mesquite wood; our version just requires a little patience and a grill.
{Kebab Chenjeh} Grilled Saffron Beef Skewers
A classic Persian dish, the saffon-marinated beef is grilled and paired with tomatoes, yogurt, and flatbread.
This is a total non-traditional, contemporary take on tacos and we love everything about it from the creamy zucchini to the charred salmon.
Sitting in the sand with a lobster roll in hand makes us feel like we're on Cape Cod even if, well, we're not.
When it is 90 degrees and you just can't even imagine turning on the stove, that's when you should make vats and vats of this (our best ever) tomato gazpacho.
Zucchini Red Pepper Ricotta Lasagna
This no-cook zucchini lasagna is a totally different animal from the classic casserole—layers of fresh vegetables, creamy ricotta, and a rich red pepper tomato sauce make for a summer-y lasagna that we love.
{Pasta Alla Checca} Heirloom Tomato Sauce with Burrata
The Italians mastered how to make pasta in the summer when they came up with pasta alla checca. Here the classic is made even more indulgent thanks to obscene amounts of burrata.
Maltagliati Pasta with Summer Vegetables and Ricotta Salata
Summer squash and sweet corn lighten up this pasta dish that is just as delicious as it is gorgeous.
DESSERTS
Peaches and Creme Fraiche Ice Cream
Sure, there are other peach ice creams out there but after you try this version—with macerated peaches and tangy creme fraiche—you'll forget they exist.
Ice cream cakes—especially ones with tons of chocolate and nuts—are one of those summer classics we will never, ever tire of!
Upside-Down Peach-Rhubarb Polenta Cake
We nixed the canned cherries and pineapple and brought the upside-down cake to the 21st century with this summery version with rhubarb, peaches, and polenta.
Sweet and Spicy Nectarine Crisp
The addition of fiery chiles makes for a totally unexpected twist on this classic summer dessert.
Limoncello Creamsicle Popsicles
One taste of these creamy, tart adult popsicles and you'll almost swear you're on the Amalfi Coast.
Speaking of transporting adult popsicles, this frozen dessert version of the tropical drink—with toasted coconut, orange zest, and rum—is a total summertime winner.
These pink lemonade bars will send you back to the days when lemonade stands were your "summer job" and nickels were your source of piggybank income.
DRINKS
Watermelon Ginger Aperol Spritz
We're big fans of the Spritz when it comes to summertime drinking—they're not too boozy and very refreshing. And we're even bigger fans of this version with fresh watermelon and ginger juice.
A sort of choose-your-own adventure spritz, all that you need is some elderflower liqueur, bubbles, and then add any botanicals (ie herbs) you want to add.
Come summer we add cherries to our sangria for a seasonal twist that's totally addictive.
Aperol Red Grapefruit Margarita Cocktail
The combination of Aperol and grapefruit means this is a sweet, tart, slightly bitter take on the classic marg.
There is nothing like enjoying a slice of watermelon on a hot summer day, except maybe this melonade!
Pomegranate Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
When blackberries are in season, we love making the classic gin and berry cocktail that is the Bramble. This version adds a dash of pomegranate liqueur for a tart twist.
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Opening photo by Marti Sans
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