Summer
Spiced Tomato and Cabbage Slaw
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Grilled Salmon with Fennel Orange Salsa
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Zucchini in Mint Vinaigrette
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Gazpacho with Croutons and Sausage
The classic cold soup, as interpreted by Ouro Branco restaurant, Vila Viçosa, Portugal.
Blackberry-Raspberry Sauce
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Spice-Laquered Plum
Crush the anise seeds with the side of a large heavy knife. Broiling the honey-coated plum makes it caramelized and tender.
Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min
Mixed Berry Spoon Pudding
Rote Grütze
"My husband and I always have the Rote Grütze at the Kempinski Hotel Atlantic when in Hamburg, Germany," says Mary Futchik of Naples, Florida. "Could you could help us get the recipe?"
Consider this a cross between a spoonable pudding and a fruit soup.
Grilled Pizzas Provençale
This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Marinated peppers, mushrooms and eggplant make nice accompaniments to these Mediterranean-style pizzas. Finish up with almond cookies and mixed berries.
Blackberry Semifreddi with Walnut Meringue
This softly set ice cream isn't churned, so you don't need an ice cream maker.
Rustic Bread Salad
When preparing bread salad, do not drizzle with oil and vinegar until just before serving, or the bread cubes will become soggy.
Spicy Baby Okra and Olives
Serve as a relish with the meal, or offer as cocktail nibbles. Make these one or two days before the party.
Summer Pudding
Pudding is a term that is used interchangeably with dessert in Ireland, so not all Irish puddings are the milk-based treats Americans think of when they hear the word. Here's a fine example: a pretty dessert of bread and assorted sweetened berries are in season, but many people want to eat this delicious pudding even when fresh berries aren't available. Fortunately, frozen ones work just as well. Begin preparing this a day before serving so that it can set up overnight.
Blueberry Cobbler
As a child, I was a picky eater and this cobbler was especially hard for me to take, since it's sort of an ugly dish. After being threatened with a trip to the doctor for vitamin shots, I did start eating more, and the cobbler turned out to be one of my favorites. It's a classic North Carolina recipe and is one of my mom's signature dishes. It's so simple and takes no time to make.