Hooray for June! The sun is shining and I’m looking forward to summertime activities with Grace. I’ve been brainstorming fun recipes for summer produce (my favorite) and working on our garden lately.
Since I reach for fresh chives so often when cooking scrambled eggs, I’m also growing some herbs by the window. I found this narrow planter (affiliate link) that has a water reservoir at the bottom. So far, so good! Herbs are so thirsty!
This month, seasonal produce options are expanding to include fresh fruit like blueberries and strawberries, rhubarb and cherries. I think I’ll make a crisp soon. The only question is which kind—blueberry, mixed berry or strawberry rhubarb? Asparagus and spring peas are on their way out, so get your fill of them while you can.
Avocado
Creamy Avocado Dip
Gluten free and vegan
“Another dinner success! This was surprisingly tasty. I honestly passed this up thinking “eh” but then my friends had a fiesta dinner and I was dying for an excuse not to eat their steak or ground beef tacos so I made the refried beans for my tacos. Tonight I made the avocado sauce and pickled onions with it….YUM. And super easy!!” – Erin
Beets
Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach
Gluten free and vegan
“This could be THE best salad I have ever made. I have a vegan friend who I am always trying to find interesting recipes for and she also loved it. I made it exactly as per your recipe apart from adding a mixture of toasted almond flakes and pumpkins seeds.” – Heather
Blueberries
Blueberry Almond Crisp
Gluten free and easily vegan (see recipe notes)
“This was delicious, served with vanilla ice cream and topped leftovers with some plain yogurt. Such a simple dessert!” – Lindsay
Cherries
Cherry Couscous & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see recipe notes)
“Just had this for dinner and it was just as amazing as it looked!” – Kate
Cucumber
Gaby’s Cucumber Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“Made this immediately last night and loved it – my daughter as well! Quick and easy for when you get home from work – served alongside pasta.” – Connie
Green Beans
Green Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds & Feta
Gluten free and easily vegan (skip the feta)
“Incredible! Made this last night and absolutely loved it – it was so fresh, easy to prepare, and satisfying. I served it warm and the combo of tart lemon, crunchy almonds, and salty feta was spot on. This one is definitely going into my weekly rotation – thanks for another winner, Kate!” – Sarah
Greens
Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Quinoa Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“Another awesome recipe! I made this the other day and loved it. The next had some left overs so had a avocado I needed to eat so I cut it up and threw it on top and wow! This is going to be on my favorite list for sure.” – Christine
More spinach recipes » (also arugula)
Herbs
Classic Pesto
Gluten free and easily vegan
“Got a big bunch of basil from my farm co-op, so I made this yesterday from your cookbook, and froze it in an ice-cube tray. Now I have delicious little pesto cubes to add to soup, roasted veggies, and probably everything else! Today I’m going to try the same with leftover cilantro, parsley, maybe some arugula, and toasted pepitas.” – Jeanne
More basil recipes » (also cilantro and dill)
Kale
Anything-Goes Kale Salad with Green Tahini Dressing
Gluten free and vegan
“I made your “Everything goes Kale Salad with Green Tahini Dressing” last night for my daughter’s 25th birthday. I have never toasted pepitas before – and my daughters loved them! Both my daughters asked for your recipe -The salad looked beautiful and tasted delicious…” – Peg
Mango
Fresh Mango Salsa
Gluten free and vegan
“This summer brought a bumper crop of mango to our Florida home, and I found this recipe online. Perfect for a women’s luncheon I was invited to. It was simple to make, looked beautiful and was delicious. Nearly every guest asked me for the recipe. I will definitely make this again.” – Vicky
Radishes
Almond-Sesame Soba Zoodles with Quick-Pickled Veggies
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“This was such a quick and easy meal to make! The pickles really balance the sauce and the noodles – and the sauce is so delicious. Thank you for sharing this recipe!” – Maya
Rhubarb
Almond Cake with Roasted Strawberries & Rhubarb
Gluten free
“I have made this cake 3 times now. Once with apple, raspberry and rhubarb. Twice with strawberrys and rhubarb. It’s so simple. I have all the ingredients in my cupboard and it whips up in minutes so I can throw it together between preparing the main meal and surprise everyone. A great insight Kate to do the fruit separate. It means I can keep it for a few days and just top it as I like. The flavour is delicate and lovely. I have shared with many of my friends.” – Molly
Strawberries
Colorful Strawberry Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I did not believe it was possible to crave a salad until I ate this! It’s the BEST salad in the whole world, hands down. The dressing is also perfection!” – Rebecca B.
Don’t forget to tag your recipe photos #cookieandkate so we can all see them! If you’re looking for an ingredient that didn’t make the list, check my new ingredient index for relevant recipes.
More resources you might appreciate: 13 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
