1,182 summer recipes

One-pot brown basmati rice pilaf loaded with mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. A dump-and-simmer weeknight dinner using whatever vegetables you have on hand.

Spinach moong dal: tender yellow split mung beans simmered with spinach, tamarind and turmeric, finished with a sizzling tadka of mustard seeds, fenugreek and dried chiles. South Indian comfort food.

Vegan eggplant dal with roasted eggplant folded into red lentils simmered with popped mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. A smoky Indian lentil sauce.

Homemade vegetable stock from celery, onions, carrots, and parsley, simmered 30 minutes and strained smooth. Freezes for up to 3 months. A clean, versatile base for soups and sauces.

Cajun red beans and rice cooked in the microwave with ham, onions, garlic, and cayenne pepper. A Louisiana Monday night staple that simmers hands-free in a microwave-safe casserole.

Red wine, tomato, and rosemary sauce simmers a French mirepoix with red wine, tomato paste, and fresh rosemary, then thickens with arrowroot for a glossy, fat-free finish. Versatile for meats, polenta, and pasta.

Fat-free pinto bean soup simmered with garlic, jalapeno, onion, and fresh cilantro. Six ingredients, one pot, 35 minutes. A hearty, budget-friendly soup with a kick that proves simple can be seriously satisfying.

Vegan black bean soup with bay leaves, whole cloves, onion, garlic, mustard, and chili powder. Pure pantry cooking. Just simmer, puree, season. Naturally gluten-free.

A simple vegetarian buckwheat and rice bake with fresh tomatoes, onion, and basil. Simmered on the stove, then baked until firm. Budget-friendly whole grain comfort in 45 minutes.

Mom's old-fashioned watermelon rind pickles soaked in lime water, then simmered in sweet spiced vinegar syrup until jewel-like and translucent. A Southern heirloom canning recipe worth the wait.

Old-fashioned crab-apple butter made with just two ingredients: fresh crabapples and sugar, simmered down into a thick, rosy spread. A Fall preserving classic ready in 30 minutes.

How to prepare fiddlehead ferns: clean, simmer until tender, and serve with butter and lemon. Works for bracken, ostrich, and cinnamon fern varieties.

Kansas City-style barbecue sauce simmered from scratch with tomato paste, brown sugar, honey, beef stock, and a bold spice blend. Thick, sweet, tangy, and smoky.

Frijoles a la charra (Mexican ranch-style beans) with bacon, jalapenos, tomato, and cilantro simmered in their own broth. A smoky, spicy pinto bean side dish ready in 35 minutes.

Sweet potatoes simmered with sliced persimmons, sugar, and fresh citrus juice until a glossy syrup forms. A one-pot seasonal side with an unexpected fruit pairing.

Black-eyed pea soup slow-simmered with a ham bone for New Year's Day good luck. Creamy, smoky, and served over white rice in the Southern tradition.