Buttermilk Ranch Potato Salad
Tossed with a plethora of fresh herbs including cilantro, dill and chives, this potato salad is incredibly fresh-tasting.
Ingredients:
3 pounds baby red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
â…“ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
â…“ cup coarsely chopped fresh chives
â…“ cup coarsely chopped fresh dill
¾ cup well-shaken buttermilk
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
â…“ cup mayonnaise
â…“ cup finely-chopped scallions (green parts only)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
Black pepper
Method:
1. Place 1½ to 2 inches of water in the bottom of a large pot. Place a steamer basket in the pot and add the cut potatoes to the basket. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to medium-high. Cover and steam the potatoes until knife-tender, stirring once or twice to ensure the potatoes in the center are evenly cooked, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Let cool at least 30 minutes before dressing; the potatoes should be room temperature. Meanwhile, make the dressing.
3. Place the cilantro, dill, and chives in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Remove 3 tablespoons of the mixture to a small bowl and set aside for garnish.
4. Add the buttermilk, yogurt, mayonnaise, scallions, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt to the medium bowl of herbs. Season with pepper and whisk to combine. Refrigerate the dressing until the potatoes are ready.
5. Pour the buttermilk dressing onto the potatoes and fold it in gently until the potatoes are fully dressed. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Transfer to a large serving bowl. Scatter the reserved herb mixture on top.
Carrots Marinated with Garlic & Oregano
This room-temperature dish packs in the flavor and makes for a lovely side dish.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks or thin diagonal slices
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup fresh parsley, minced
1 cup olive oil
Pinch red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Whisk together garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil, adding 1 tablespoon salt. Add carrots and cook until just crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
3. Drain carrots and add to marinade, letting sit in fridge overnight. When ready to serve, return to room temperature and adjust seasonings if needed. Transfer to serving platter and top with parsley.
Apricot Cobbler
This classic apricot cobbler combines sweet, sun-ripened fruit with a buttery, golden topping for a simple summer dessert that’s best served warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Ingredients:
Filling:
6 cups fresh apricots (about 2½–3 lbs), pitted and sliced
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
½ cup whole milk (or buttermilk for a slight tang)
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apricots, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to coat. Pour into a 9×13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the milk and stir just until combined; the dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the topping evenly over the fruit. It doesn’t need to cover it completely—leave some gaps for the fruit to bubble through. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling. Cool slightly before serving warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Grilled Pluots with Honey & Mint
This elegant, low-effort dish highlights the natural juiciness of ripe pluots, caramelized ever so slightly by the grill. A drizzle of honey and a handful of torn mint leaves are all you need to finish things off.
Ingredients:
4 ripe but firm pluots, halved and pitted
1 tablespoon olive oil
2–3 tablespoons good-quality honey
A few sprigs of fresh mint, torn or chiffonade
Optional: flaky sea salt, vanilla ice cream, or Greek yogurt for serving
Method:
1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates. Lightly brush the cut sides of the pluots with olive oil.
2. Place pluots cut-side down on the grill. Grill for 2–3 minutes, or until they have defined grill marks and begin to soften slightly. Flip and grill for an additional 1–2 minutes on the skin side, just until warmed through but still holding their shape.
3. Remove from grill and arrange on a serving platter or individual plates. Drizzle with honey while still warm, and scatter the fresh mint over top. Optional: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness, or serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent finish.
Grilled Apricots with Honey Mascarpone & Crushed Berries
Grilling the apricots here brings out their natural sweetness, and the red and blue berry topping gives it a patriotic touch.
Ingredients:
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1–2 tablespoons honey, plus extra for drizzling
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Fresh ripe apricots, halved and pitted
Olive oil or melted butter, for brushing
1 cup strawberries, roughly chopped
1 cup blueberries
Crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers
Fresh mint, for garnish
Method:
1. Prep the mascarpone: In a small bowl, mix mascarpone, honey, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
2. Brush the cut sides of the apricots lightly with oil or butter. Place cut-side down on a hot grill or grill pan for 2–3 minutes, until softened and lightly charred.
3. In a small bowl, lightly mash the berries with a fork—just enough to release some juices.
4. Spoon a dollop of the honey-mascarpone onto each grilled apricot half. Top with a spoonful of the berry mix, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs if using. Garnish with fresh mint.
Rainbow Tomato Salad
Simple to make, but big on taste, this salad is all about the quality of the ingredients, so use the best you have.
Ingredients:
4 ripe rainbow slicing tomatoes
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh herbs, such as parsley and marjoram
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together red-wine vinegar and olive oil; stir in shallot and herbs.
2. Core tomatoes; cut each into 8 wedges and place in a serving bowl. Drizzle with dressing, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Morel & Farm Egg Tartine with Chive Blossoms
Elevate your morning toast with buttery foraged morels, farm-fresh eggs, and a scattering of chive blossoms—simple, seasonal perfection.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh Morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved
2 thick slices pumpernickel bread
2 farm-fresh eggs
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
Olive oil, for drizzling
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Chive blossoms, for garnish
Optional: lemon zest, for brightness
Method:
1. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the morels and garlic, and sauté for 5–7 minutes, until mushrooms are tender and golden. Season with salt and pepper.
2. While the mushrooms cook, toast the pumpernickel slices until warm and crisp. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
3. In a separate nonstick pan, cook the eggs sunny-side up (or to your preferred doneness). Season with a pinch of salt.
4. Top each slice of toast with a generous layer of sautéed morels. Gently place a fried egg on top. Garnish with a scattering of chive blossoms and a touch of lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately, with a side of lightly dressed escarole or microgreens.
Fennel & Lemon Relish
This crisp slaw from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food II is excellent tossed with roasted vegetables, or even served as part of a charcuterie board.
Ingredients:
2 lemons
2-3 fennel bulbs
1 shallot
2-3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
- Using a box grater or rasp, zest both lemons, then reserve the zest and fruit.
- Peel and finely dice the shallot. Place shallot in a small bowl with the lemon zest, juice of 1 lemon, Champagne vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to macerate. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil. Taste for salt and acid and adjust as needed.
- Trim the fronds and dark green stalks from the fennel bulb. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and then into a fine dice. Toss with salt to taste and stir into the lemon-shallot mixture. Remove all the remaining peel from the remaining lemon and cut the segments from their membranes. Cut segments into a medium dice and gently stir them into the relish. Let relish sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Potato-Leek Soup
This classic Julia Child recipe is always a home run; serve this with slices of this week’s Beecher’s cheese bread.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound baby red potatoes, peeled and cut in half if on the larger side
3 large leeks (1 pound), cleaned and thinly sliced
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup crème fraîche
â…“ cup minced parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large (6-plus quart) stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leek and potato. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have begun to soften and brown slightly, about 5-10 minutes (time will vary greatly depending on the surface area of the bottom of your pot).
2. Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Blend until smooth, either using an immersion blender or by carefully transferring to a blender in batches.
4. Add the cream, and season to taste with salt and lemon juice.
5. Ladle into bowls, and garnish with a dollop of crème fraîche and a healthy sprinkling of minced parsley.