A simple platter of prosciutto, smoked salmon and tasty condiments turns Happy Cocktail at the Tree House into an accidental summer dinner for two.

Sometimes old recipes return at exactly the right moment. This summer Saturday brought a spicy homemade tomato juice perfect for Bloody Marys, a beloved pork marinade connected to Dad, and a reminder that a little spontaneity belongs in blogging, too.

A no-fuss summer salad made with ripe Georgia peaches, heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, peach white balsamic and olive oil — first served with leftover grilled shrimp for dinner, then enjoyed shrimp-free for lunch. Bright, beautiful and easy as can be.

A Georgia peach haul inspires a rich, moist Peach & Pecan Coffee Cake adapted from a Junior League cookbook. The recipe makes three cakes – one to enjoy, one to freeze and one to share. A vintage Hawaiian Leaf snack set from Grandma Ruth turns up during the photo shoot; was it serendipity or a heavenly “remember me” wink?

This caprese salad is fresh, deeply satisfying and light, just the right thing for a late-summer / early fall first course.

Tangy horseradish mustard is a key ingredient in this tangy, creamy summer side that’s reminiscent of tuna casserole but much lighter and refreshing.

A bright, fresh side dish with carrots, mango, mint, toasted pecans, and golden raisins, kissed with lime juice and citrusy olive oil. Perfect with sandwiches, seafood, or anything that needs a little sunshine on the plate.

We gathered with cousins for a nostalgic lumpia appetizer, then lightened things up with plank-grilled salmon, fruit salad slaw, and a citrusy herb rice that ties it all together. A memory-filled meal—and a rice recipe worth repeating.

A serene retreat at Little House in the Rockies (away from Houston’s oppressive heat) brings stunning mountain views, R&R, and time for creativity in the kitchen.

A Glover Gardens take on a Southern summer classic

Vote for me / Glover Gardens in the Fav Chef contest. I’m gobsmacked tp have reached the Top 20. I’m the long shot, but your votes put me in this position, and now I want to WIN!

One shaken, one stirred: check out these two recipes for light, refreshing and yet quite sophisticated summer cocktails.

January dreaming about a wonderful charcuterie “picnic” we enjoyed at a pub in Holland Park with goodies from Borough Market in July of 2023.

January dreaming and restaurant rave: memories of a perfect lunch at L’Escargot Montorgueil on a warm summer day during an anniversary trip to Paris

Tom-Erik and his wife Anne-Grethe ooze gracious Norwegian hospitality, making you feel as welcome and easy as a summer sunset at their home in Kongsberg.

You can whip up a delicious caprese in 10 minutes or less, and the result is so satisfying and appealing you’ll want to do it again tomorrow.

We are having a very chill Independence Day, summed up in a simple rhyme.

This is a winning team of ingredients, my friends! The peppery arugula is the perfect foundation for the creamy goat cheese and shrimp, and the balsamic dressing ties it all together like a bow on a birthday present.

Bruschetta is so simple, so summery, so garlicky-good. Ripe red tomatoes meet their life partner in soft green basil, with garlic and oil to seal their commitment.

Crab Louie is a perfect summer salad, but you don’t have to stop at crab – other seafood like plank-grilled salmon or shrimp are just as good.