Google / Social Description

It’s a delicious treat on its own but go ahead and add a scoop of dairy-free ice cream if you want something more.

Introduction

I feel like such a dietitian when I say that fruit is the ultimate dessert, but I don’t think we appreciate what a treat it can be in all its fragrant, sweet, and juicy decadence. This grilled pineapple leans on the simplest of preparation to coax out another dimension of flavour, which is helpful when you don’t live in Hawaii where you can get these beauties just down the road. It’s a delicious treat on its own but go ahead and add a scoop of dairy-free ice cream if you want something more.

Google / Social Description

Bright and zingy, the combination of lemon and dill makes this hummus-inspired dip come alive.

Introduction

Bright and zingy, the combination of lemon and dill makes this hummus-inspired dip come alive. I developed this recipe as an alternative for my son, who has a sesame allergy. In place of traditional tahini (sesame paste), avocado lends creaminess to this hummus, packing it with healthy fats and a beautiful green color, made even brighter by the fresh herbs. Serve this hummus with raw vegetables, or spread it on a slice of rye bread and garnish with smoked salmon for a flavorful hors-d’oeuvre.

Google / Social Description

“Nice” cream is the plant-based darling of the ice cream world: frozen sliced bananas are blended up into a scoopable icy dessert.

Introduction

“Nice” cream is the plant-based darling of the ice cream world: frozen sliced bananas are blended up into a shockingly convincing, scoopable icy dessert. This version channels flavors of Peppermint Patties and mint-chip ice cream, but sneaks in superfoods like cacao, chaga, and hemp seeds for a chocolatey blend with benefits.

Google / Social Description

The mix of cubed watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumbers dressed lightly in a mint vinaigrette, makes for a refreshing summer salad.

Introduction

The night before my brother’s wedding, my parents threw a big pizza party. In addition to the New Haven–style pizzas cooked in an antique truck outfitted with a wood-burning oven, there were a few simple salads, including one designed for the children: a mix of cubed watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumbers dressed lightly in a mint vinaigrette. It was so refreshing, and although the bulk of the composition was fruit, the herby, sharp dressing scooted it out of fruit salad territory. There was no cheese in the salad, but I love the addition of feta, which is always a nice match for watermelon and other summer melons. Sometimes with this salad, I’ll add a pinch of Silk Chili (chile flakes from the Turkish version of Aleppo pepper), and if I have an avocado on hand, I’ll add that, too.

Google / Social Description

Great as an appetizer or addition to a snack board, you can also use them as a veggie burger alternative or enjoy as a side dish.

Introduction

I am of the mind that za’atar makes anything more delicious, and I think these carrot pancakes will make you a believer too. Somewhere between a latke and socca, there are so many ways to use these sunny little pancakes! Great as an appetizer or addition to a snack board, you can also use them as a veggie burger alternative or enjoy two or three as a side dish. Don’t skip the cilantro garlic sauce; in fact, you may wish to make a double batch.

Google / Social Description

Basil’s potential for brightening a dessert is totally underrated. It plays well with so many ingredients, especially blackberries.

Introduction

Basil’s potential for brightening a dessert is totally underrated. It is one of my favorite herbs, especially in its summer prime. With undertones of pepper and mint, it plays well with so many ingredients, especially blackberries. The texture of this cobbler is delightful. You experience jammy blackberries, fluffy-yet-dense cake, and crunchy sugar on top. It’s not overly sweet, and it impressed my partner, Levon, who is almost never interested in sweets.

Google / Social Description

The cornstarch batter recipe results in a sophisticated crunch and crackle of this sandwich.

Introduction

It’s important to note that the sophisticated crunch and crackle of this sandwich is essentially the result of Michael Solomonov letting me use the cornstarch batter recipe he uses for the fried chicken at his restaurant Federal Donuts.

Google / Social Description

This grilled smoky lime chicken, with a fiery grilled jalapeño sauce is the perfect summer dinner.

Introduction

Summer dinners are the best—simple, easy, and more often than not prepared on the grill, to maximize flavor and so you don’t have to worry about heating up your kitchen. There are few things I love as much as grilling for my crew! This grilled smoky lime chicken, with a fiery grilled jalapeño sauce, is one of my absolute favorites. Serve it with a stack of warm corn tortillas, a homemade salsa (like my Avocado Pineapple Salsa, page 169), and a cerveza or two alongside.

Google / Social Description

This white pizza topped with peaches, jalapeños, and prosciutto, hits all of those sweet, spicy, salty notes.

Introduction

My aunt Marcy, my mother’s sister, befriends—best friends, I should say—everyone she meets, from the grocers at her local IGA to the folks who pick up her compost to the UPS delivery person. One May at a graduation party, Marcy took a bite of the delicious pizza being served and beelined it to the outdoor pizza oven, where she met Chris Jones, the owner of Open Hearth Pizza. During their conversation, she secured a visit to his house and a promise to teach her how to make his pizza using 100 percent freshly milled flour, a sourdough starter, and his outdoor wood-burning oven. I got the invite, too, and this is how I found myself sitting on a sunny hill in Vermont with my aunt, uncle, and oldest daughter, Ella, eating pizza and calzones, with a dog at our feet. I could write pages about what I learned that day, from the grains Chris sources and the mill he uses to his mixing and baking process, but I’ll skip straight to the highlight instead: this white pizza topped with peaches, jalapeños, and prosciutto, a combination that hits all of those sweet, spicy, salty notes, making it completely irresistible.