Savor the Last Days of Summer

With summer’s end fast approaching (only 35 more days!), it's time to savor the season and take a much-needed break from the hot kitchen. Right now, it's about celebrating simplicity and peak-season produce, basking in the sun and enjoying the last, long summer evenings with family and friends.

We’ve come up with 5 quick-fix meals—like our Middle-Eastern mezze spread (pictured above) starring our recipe for bright, tangy Muhammara Salad—that take minutes to make and require little to no heat, so you can get out of that kitchen and into the sun. Hurry, before summer slips away . . . on to our 5 quick-fix meals!

5 Ways to Step Away from the Stove Into the Sun

1. Middle-Eastern Mezze – Try our recipe for Muhummara Salad—a vibrant salad inspired by the classic Levantine dip made with roasted red peppers, walnuts and tangy pomegranate molasses. Pair with homemade (or store-bought, we won’t tell) hummus, olives and pita bread for a meal that’s on the table in 15 minutes or less.
2. Le Pique-Nique – Take a note from the French: pack up a simple picnic and set out to savor the summer sun. Snack on sandwiches with Espelette Mustard, jambon and arugula, a selection of French cheeses like St. Agur and Chevrot and fresh fruit—and don’t forget an icy glass of rosé!
3. Spanish Tapas Night – Escape to Spain for a night with piquillo peppers filled with Cod Fillets in Olive Oil, thick slices of spicy chorizo, Aged Manchego drizzled with Alemany Rosemary Honey, olives and marcona almonds. So invite all your friends over, make some sangría and enjoy the long, lingering summer nights!
4. Presto, Pasta! – Whip up a pasta dinner in the time it takes water to boil with 90-Second 'Rapida' Spaghetti (yup, spaghetti that cooks in just a minute and a half!). While the water is coming to a boil, chop a couple heirloom tomatoes and some basil. Cook the pasta for 90 seconds, drain and toss it with the chopped tomatoes, basil and plenty of Tondo Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
5. The Mighty SLT – Meet your new summer sandwich: the SLT (salmon, lettuce & tomato). Substitute deliciously meaty Wild Smoked Sockeye Salmon from DearNorth for bacon in a traditional BLT.