When summer hits, it’s hard to beat the fresh flavors of the earth. Seasonal vegetables abound, fresh seafood is readily available, and simple dishes are on the docket.
A couple summers ago we planted a little vegetable garden in a raised bed in our backyard with the hopes of simply keeping it alive. I wanted to teach my daughter where food comes from, encourage her to eat more vegetables, and simply enjoy some quality family time working together to create something special. My husband and I were shocked when it exploded with tomatoes, lettuce, okra, and herbs. The only problem we had was keeping Emmaline from eating all the tomatoes straight from the vine, red and green. She gobbled up hundreds of tomatoes that summer (no exaggeration), and we made the best memories tending to that little pile of dirt.
During the summer months, whatever we don’t harvest from our own garden comes from the farmers’ market: peaches, watermelon, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and corn—all inspiring and shaping unfussy, effortless meals perfect for entertaining.
• Fish Tacos with Grilled Corn Slaw and Strawberry Mango Salsa
• Blackberry Cobbler with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream