05.15.2020
Summer Recipe Center
Find summer recipe ideas, grilling tips, storage advice, and spice pairings for salads, desserts, drinks, and BBQ. Cook confidently all season.
- Explore curated recipe categories for appetizers, drinks, desserts, salads, and grilling.
- Simple storage, prep, and grilling tips help you get the best from fresh summer produce.
- Use bright spices and easy make-ahead tricks to boost flavor and save time.
Fresh summer produce and gorgeous weather inspire us to cook some of the best recipes. Berry cobblers with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, fall-off-the bone BBQ ribs, and a garden’s worth of crisp salads are just a few of our summer favorites. Explore the links below for some of The Spice House’s best recipes and tips for cooking your way through summer.
Appetizer Recipes
Beverage Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Grilling and Barbecue Recipes
VIEW GRILLING AND BARBECUE RECIPES
Salad Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of recipes are in the Summer Recipe Center?
The page groups recipes by category: appetizers, beverages, desserts, grilling and barbecue, and salads. Each category includes seasonal ideas and tips to help you cook through the summer.
How do I pick ripe summer produce?
Look for strong color, firm but not hard texture, and a fragrant aroma for fruits. For vegetables choose ones that are crisp, heavy for their size, and free of soft spots. Buy from farmer markets when possible for peak freshness.
How should I store fresh berries so they last longer?
Keep berries unwashed in a breathable container lined with paper towel in the fridge. Remove any bruised or moldy fruit right away. Rinse only just before eating. For longer storage freeze them spread on a tray then transfer to a bag.
What are quick grilling tips for juicy meat and crisp veggies?
Preheat the grill and oil the grates. Pat proteins dry and season well. Use direct high heat for sear and indirect lower heat to finish thicker cuts. Use a meat thermometer and let meat rest before slicing. Grill vegetables in a basket or on skewers.
Which spices work best for summer dishes?
Bright and aromatic spices complement summer food. Try smoked paprika, lemon pepper, cumin, chili flakes, fresh basil, mint, and coriander for savory dishes. Use cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, or nutmeg for fruit desserts and cobblers.
Can I make desserts like cobblers ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the fruit filling a day ahead and keep it chilled. Assemble the cobbler unbaked and refrigerate, or freeze assembled portions. Bake fresh when possible and serve with chilled or room temperature ice cream.
What are easy refreshing beverage ideas for hot days?
Make iced herbal or fruit teas, lemonade with muddled herbs like mint or basil, fruit-infused water, cold brew coffee, or simple syrups from seasonal fruit to mix into mocktails and cocktails.
What food safety steps should I follow for outdoor cooking and picnics?
Keep cold foods below 40 F using coolers with ice, and hot foods above 140 F. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate boards and utensils for raw and cooked items. Use a thermometer to check doneness and do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours, or one hour in hot weather.
What kinds of recipes are in the Summer Recipe Center?
The page groups recipes by category: appetizers, beverages, desserts, grilling and barbecue, and salads. Each category includes seasonal ideas and tips to help you cook through the summer.
How do I pick ripe summer produce?
Look for strong color, firm but not hard texture, and a fragrant aroma for fruits. For vegetables choose ones that are crisp, heavy for their size, and free of soft spots. Buy from farmer markets when possible for peak freshness.
How should I store fresh berries so they last longer?
Keep berries unwashed in a breathable container lined with paper towel in the fridge. Remove any bruised or moldy fruit right away. Rinse only just before eating. For longer storage freeze them spread on a tray then transfer to a bag.
What are quick grilling tips for juicy meat and crisp veggies?
Preheat the grill and oil the grates. Pat proteins dry and season well. Use direct high heat for sear and indirect lower heat to finish thicker cuts. Use a meat thermometer and let meat rest before slicing. Grill vegetables in a basket or on skewers.
Which spices work best for summer dishes?
Bright and aromatic spices complement summer food. Try smoked paprika, lemon pepper, cumin, chili flakes, fresh basil, mint, and coriander for savory dishes. Use cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, or nutmeg for fruit desserts and cobblers.
Can I make desserts like cobblers ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the fruit filling a day ahead and keep it chilled. Assemble the cobbler unbaked and refrigerate, or freeze assembled portions. Bake fresh when possible and serve with chilled or room temperature ice cream.
What are easy refreshing beverage ideas for hot days?
Make iced herbal or fruit teas, lemonade with muddled herbs like mint or basil, fruit-infused water, cold brew coffee, or simple syrups from seasonal fruit to mix into mocktails and cocktails.
What food safety steps should I follow for outdoor cooking and picnics?
Keep cold foods below 40 F using coolers with ice, and hot foods above 140 F. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate boards and utensils for raw and cooked items. Use a thermometer to check doneness and do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours, or one hour in hot weather.
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