Cookbooks

Freshly husked and oven-broiled, roasted tomatillos provide a smoky warmth you just won’t find in jarred salsa. To reduce the sodium here, use half the suggested amount of salt; the flavor will pick right back up with tortilla chips. While fresh tomatillos are an end-of-summer through fall item, you can use the canned variety to whip this up; and play around with the pepper selection to personalize your dip and control the heat.

This salad is low in calories and high in fiber, so why not double the recipe? The ingredients can be assembled in jars and stored in your fridge, making it easy to pack and carry to work or the beach. Simply mix it up and serve at room temperature with a side of toasted pita chips so you can scoop up every bit of the oregano and vinegar dressing.

Add a chipotle chile for a subtle kick to this chunky guacamole, then serve it with multicolored corn tortilla chips for a stunning platter. Double the recipe if you plan to serve a crowd.

For your next Tex-Mex dinner, opt for this colorful summer salsa that features seasonal ingredients such as avocado, green onions, and mango. Serve it with black beans and rice, or heap it on jerk chicken or grilled fish for a fresh and healthy lunch or dinner any night of the week.

There are few things better than rich and custardy bread pudding topped with sweet and sticky praline, but pair this dessert with vanilla ice cream and you’ve reached nirvana. Another option: skip the ice cream and serve this dish for brunch. If you need to accommodate a nut allergy, just leave the walnuts out; the caramelized sugar topping will provide plenty of crunch.

Maque choux, a traditional Cajun dish of fresh corn, stewed tomatoes, and tender okra, is guaranteed to bring a burst of juicy heat to herb-roasted chicken or a meaty white fish. Mop up the savory side with a corn muffin or pair it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Requiring nothing more than chopping and sautéing, this side is an easy go-to dish for summertime fare.

Like Mexico’s better-known culinary exports—guacamole, tacos, and tequila—Mexican-style corn (elote) is finding its place in restaurants, street carts, and home kitchens across North America. Given how available the ingredients are and how quickly it can be prepared, it’s no wonder that it’s a new favorite. Grilling lends an earthiness to the corn, but if grilling is not an option, boil it instead. It’s worth seeking out cotija, a Mexican cow’s-milk cheese, but in a pinch, Parmesan or feta will do.

When an amazing necklace meets a little black dress, or when a red silk tie meets a gray flannel suit, something basic is magically transformed into something stylish and memorable. Just so with the seared tomatoes that top off this delicious steak dinner. The bright summery topping makes a chunky, natural sauce for the steak and creates a meal that’s more than the sum of its parts.

This summery way to serve yams is great with hoisin-glazed ribs or pork chops. Experiment by swapping the spuds for rice to create another filling vegetarian meal, or serve the creamy dressing as a dip for chicken satay.

Zucchini replaces the traditional starchy potato, making this a great way to get your kids to love their veggies. Plus, the dipping sauce is ketchup on steroids.

Jazz up a traditional summer staple with this extra-fresh side dish. Usually potato salads are dense dishes drenched in mayonnaise, but this version provides a boost in flavor and texture with cucumbers, onions, radishes, and dill. Be sure to leave ample time for preparation, as the recipe requires you to pickle the cucumbers overnight. Prepare an extra batch; the pickled cucumbers make a great snack on their own and add a satisfying crunch to other salads and sandwiches and will last in the refrigerator for several days.

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten shares his secret beef skewer recipe from his famed restaurant Spice Market in New York City. Alternate the beef and peppers on each skewer to achieve a balance between charred and crunchy, juicy and tender. And don’t forget the creamy citrus-basil dipping sauce.

With just a few ingredients, many of which are probably already in your pantry, you get a satisfying and flavor-packed meal with this steak and slaw combo. Red jalapeños are simply the ripe form of the green ones, and either version works in this slaw. If you’re nervous about the heat, remove the seeds and veins from the peppers or use one instead of two. Serranos make a spicier substitute.

Looking for a spectacular dish to wow friends and family? Give them some leg. Have your butcher butterfly the leg of lamb, and use metal skewers to secure any loose meat as it cooks. If you find yourself with leftovers, pair them with toasted pita and hummus.

Serious about pulled pork? Do it right with this hard-core recipe, which seasons the meat in three stages, so that each bite is flavorful and tender. Serve on a toasted bun with the coleslaw.

This grain-based veggie burger is an excellent change from traditional bean or tofu varieties. Cooked kasha’s firmness balances the soft sautéed vegetables for a robust texture.

These ribs spend about an hour bathing in pineapple juice while they cook. A glaze combining Asian ingredients—hoisin and plum sauces plus hot chile paste—with bourbon, honey, and molasses is brushed on the meat while it’s finished on the grill. The slightly spicy ribs will be on everyone’s favorite food list.

No summer barbecue would be complete without a big bowl of creamy, tangy coleslaw. Use the Texas Barbecue Sauce above for a touch of Southwestern flavor.

These multispiced patties are a step up from basic backyard burgers, infused with a laundry list of herbs and chopped veggies. Grab a handful of napkins and prepare for a messy masterpiece.