Say hello to my beloved no-bake key lime cheesecake—the dessert I make more than any other all summer long. Every bite is cool, creamy, and almost mousse-like, with bright, puckery lime cutting through the sweet cream cheese filling and buttery graham cracker crumbs adding just the right amount of crunch. It smells like a key lime pie and eats like a cloud. 😮💨 I’ve been making this for over 10 years, hauling it to potlucks, cookouts, teacher celebrations, soccer hangouts—you name it. It disappears every single time, and someone always…
Continue ReadingPeach & Corn Gazpacho with Cornbread Croutons
This Tomato, Peach, & Corn Gazpacho is an accidental favorite. Let me explain: our 3 kids decided to break off into teams and host our first ever Top Chef-inspired family cook off. It’s exactly what it sounds like! One child and one parent per team, with our middle child as the judge. I won’t go into specifics about the rules or the challenge, but the first dish my younger son and I put forward was this gazpacho and it was a home run! I knew I had to share it…
Continue ReadingCouscous Salad with Grilled Veggies & Basil Dressing
I first shared this Couscous Salad recipe on my Instagram a few years ago and you all went nuts. It’s one of those no recipe dishes where the the base of the salad is less important than the boldly flavored salad dressing — in this case, my go-to lemon basil vinaigrette, which I use with everything from grilled chicken and potatoes, to steak and salads… all summer long! But even after telling you all that you can use any grilled vegetables you like, switch out the couscous to a grain…
Continue ReadingEasy Make-Ahead Salmon Escabeche with Olives
Salmon escabeche is a vibrant and tangy dish that brings together the rich, buttery flavor of salmon with a zesty marinade of vinegar, olive oil, and aromatic herbs. In my version, the fish is topped with black olives, roasted red peppers, and fresh dill. This is a dream dish for prepping in advance (the salmon soaks up the marinade for a couple hours before serving!), which is why I absolutely love it for dinner parties and easy entertaining. This would make a great main dish for a Mediterranean or Spanish-themed…
Continue ReadingEasy At-Home Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice
Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice is one of my (and my daughter’s) all-time favorite dishes to enjoy at home. You can absolutely order this out at your favorite Japanese restaurant, but it’s so fun to make. I’ll often fry up extra crispy rice and top it with other fresh seafood, like raw sea scallops or yellowtail, though spicy tuna crispy rice is always a good idea! These are such a hit when entertaining (who doesn’t love finger food?!) and disappear quickly. Something about the crunch from the crispy sushi rice and…
Continue ReadingOven-Baked Ratatouille with Fresh Basil
Ratatouille, a classic Provençal dish, is a celebration of summer’s bounty. This oven-baked version brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables, creating a beautiful blend of flavors and textures that is perfect on its own or paired with a variety of main dishes. The slow cooking process allows the vegetables to caramelize and meld together, resulting in a dish that’s both comforting and vibrant. Be sure to use fresh basil and rosemary for the best flavor! Love vegetables as much as we do? Give one of these easy homemade…
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