Summertime…and the Living’s Easy

Tags: blueberries • caprese • corn • lemonade • summer recipes • tomatoes • watermelon • zucchini

“Is it summer yet?” This is a question I’m getting daily from my little guy, just shy of four. According to the calendar, the first day of summer is still 10 days away. June 21 to be exact. But I use other metrics to define the start of summer – the last day of school (later this week!), a string of 90-degree days necessitating lemonade and bathing suits, the point at which the low hum of the A/C becomes a constant. Over the weekend, I took the boys blueberry picking. As my youngest filled his bucket with plump berries (while shoveling fistfuls into his mouth every so often), beads of sweat dripped down his pink cheeks. “Is it summer now?” he asked again. “Yes, I’d say summer has arrived,” I assured him.

Another sure indication of summer’s arrival occurred this weekend – the first meal made up of mostly fresh produce, grilled, no recipes required. We sat on our back deck on a hot night and grilled up all that would fit on the grates – beef tenderloin, asparagus, potatoes and corn (I like it this way). The meal began with the first caprese of the season and ended with the first peaches, which we’d also tossed on the grill to bring out their sweetness. It’s still early for tomatoes, corn and peaches but these first tastes are so welcome even knowing they’re going to get much better as the heat presses on.

This week, I bring you my favorite recipes for summer (in no particular order)…

Angel Hair with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes
Chicken with Fresh Apricots and Crushed Pistachios
Grilled Peach Salad with Prosciutto and Mozzarella
Rosemary Lemonade
Summer Squash Linguine
Watermelon Feta Salad
Zucchini and Sun-Dried Tomato Tart
Blueberry Peach Crisp

Is there a meal that lets you know summer has arrived?  What is it and have you had it yet…or are you still waiting?

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