Easy

If you’re going to turn on the oven in August, it better be for a good reason: This sauce, made from broiled tomatoes and peppers, is tangy, smoky, juicy, and definitely worth it.

Sweet corn is perfectly paired with briny clams in this dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough for a special occasion. Serve it with plenty of good bread to dunk in the broth.

Not just for salad: Drizzle this savory herb-infused oil over grilled vegetables, steak, or roast chicken.

Our go-to I’m-feeling-fancy dinner is a perfectly medium-rare steak and a pile of vegetables. And the more cherry tomatoes, corn, and cucumbers you throw into the mix, the more it’ll feel like summer.

If you make this slaw ahead, the vegetables will continue to soften as they sit and become more like pickles, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

The method for marinating the feta in this salad is also a good trick for other fresh cheeses—try goat, mozzarella, or paneer.

You can use various heirloom cucumbers for this savory-sweet salad recipe; if you can find them, flaunt them.

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.

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.