quick summer recipes

Summer is the time when there are so many things to do that meals need to be quick. Here's a list of some of our family's quick summertime favorites. I've made the first one several times already over the past month -- macaroni salad makes a super "pack and go lunch," especially when paired with a hard-boiled egg or other lean protein (add green onion or shredded carrot or serve on a bed of green leaf lettuc to boost the 5-A-Day factor).

Can it really be the end of summer already? With the arrival of the autumal equinox comes a shift in my cooking, as I find myself craving more autumn-y veggies and fruits (think pumpkins, squash, onions, apples). But since we still have some tomatoes ripening in the garden, I'm enjoying the 'last taste of summer days' with this quick salad.

“As all cooks know, ingredients of the moment are the best guides.”
--Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, 1996

This is that end-of-the-summer time when zucchini is everywhere -- so if you're looking for a quick yet delicious  zucchini recipe, try this Italian twist. Thanks to Marshall Katzman for this fabulous veggie idea. What's your favorite way to make zucchini?

Here's a delicious and fast salad that is perfect to pack into school lunches. By prepping and dicing the vegetables while the pasta is cooking, this salad can be ready to serve in only 15 minutes and makes a wonderful accompaniment to burgers or chicken. Leftovers are a plus, as the flavors improve after marinating overnight -- an easy side dish to pack into lunches the next day!

When I think of quick summer meals and quick summer dinners, one of the first things that pops into my mind is salad. When it's a protein-rich salad, it can really fill and satisfy ... especially when topped withanything from chicken and roast beef to tuna, tofu, tempeh or cheese. The great thing about main dish (or side dish!) salads are they give you a big serving of your veggies for the day.

Mmmm, cherries, dried cherries, cherry juice -- I love 'em! Thanks to Country Ovens in Door County, Wisconsin, for sharing some fabulous cherry recipes -- I have entered them into the site so

This has been a busy summer week, and in between running here and there I’ve been looking for super-quick and easy meals. We’ve been using lots of tortillas and tucking in feta cheese, turkey, ham and cheese and adding lots of veggies. From corn and peppers to green onions, tomatoes, cantaloupe and cherries, here’s hoping that you’ll enjoy something farm-fresh today!

Quick summer bean recipes have been comin' to my rescue now that August is here. It’s hot outside and the kids are spending as much time as possible in the pool. And me? I’m fine in the shade except when the humidity gets  into the unbearable 90% range. That means dunk me in the cool, clear water—or keep me in AC comfort.

I recently met Livya through twitter when she posted some awesome Greek recipes. That's when I discovered she runs the site eatGREEK. How happy I was to discover an easy-to-use authentic Greek recipe and cooking site! As some of you know, I absolutely adore Greek food and it's my dream to visit Greece one day.