Simple Cooking

Switch up this endlessly riffable salad to suit your preferences, but try to always include a mix of cooked and raw vegetables for the best textures.

Spoiler alert: We broke with tradition. Instead of rubbing toast with cut tomatoes, we grated the tomatoes to make a raw sauce that the bread can really absorb.

This picnic-ready sandwich is basically a salad between two slices of bread. With an herby yogurt smear, tons of feel-good sprouts, and buttery avocado, it has major California vibes.

Think of this smoothie-like sipper as a base, then start riffing. Try blending mild red pepper flakes with mango, finely grated ginger with pineapple, or cucumber and mint with honeydew.

This pesto is a little different—the grilled tomato base brings a sweet smokiness.

This savory-sweet dish is decorated with soft cheese and a hint of garlic. Served over a crispy baguette, it’s the perfect summer lunch, midday snack, or party appetizer.

Stir fresh basil and thyme into softened butter, and your grilled corn will taste even sweeter and more aromatic.

Tossing the tomatoes with lemon juice and fresh herbs intensifies their flavor.

Honey-bourbon syrup is the star of this baklava. Serve it with fresh cherries and vanilla ice cream for a decadent summer dessert.

Romano beans, also known as Italian flat beans, are pleasantly mild and sweet. Tossing them in this quick vinaigrette adds a robust, pungent flavor—they will complement any summery main dish.

Double-down on the dairy by tossing torn pieces of mozzarella in a bowl with sour cream, lemon juice, and salt to make an extra-rich, luscious topper for this greens-and-grains salad.

Our idea of summer salad means minimal cooking, lots of fresh greens, and enough protein to feel filling.

Turmeric, chiles, and chewy-nutty cooked grains balance the sweetness of fresh corn in this loose vegan riff on creamed corn.

In the Philippines, mais con yelo is a traditional dessert of crushed ice layered with corn kernels and sweetened milk. For this version, the milk and ice are combined with puréed corn to make a delicious granita.

Nothing says “Southern” like the smell of okra frying in a cast-iron skillet atop an angry flame.

Grill a bunch of bell peppers, marinate them in a punchy mixture of olive oil, vinegar, and seasoning, and you’ll have the makings of an entire week of meals.

Other quick-cooking shellfish, such as mussels or medium shelled shrimp, can be substituted for the clams, but you might need an extra splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.

People usually know tahdig as the layer of crispy rice at the bottom of the pot; however, potato tahdig may get you even more fans.

Crispy tostadas are piled with a refreshing crab salad, seasoned with Old Bay, fresh mint, jalapeño, and lime.

These ribs get rubbed with cumin, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and cinnamon before cooking in the Instant Pot.