As the mornings become more crisp, and the hint of fall is in the air - I always start to crave these. No dish is more nostalgic for me than fried green tomatoes.

Sometimes, I feel like I get pulled into these recipes with a shopping list that I could almost jump rope with. Nothing against a delicious recipes with a kajillion steps thats’s worth it… but sometimes, it is so pleasant just to keep it simple. This is a warm summer nice in a bite.

When flavors are so simple, the key to nailing this is using the best ingredients possible. This is the time to bring out your highest quality olive oil, balsamic, and use the freshest tomatoes you can find.

This salad comes together in an absolute flash and is a great accompaniment to just about any other dish.

Spread on a slice of bread, tossed into a salad, used as a base for your pasta sauce, my golly, this pesto is a star. Be ready to be sneaking back to the fridge for a spoonful. The combination of that earthy-sweet tomato with the spiciness of the garlic, and the brightness from the lemon… it’s a winner.

An amazing way to utilize that half-eaten day-old sourdough loaf you have sitting on your counter. Torn into rough chunk and toasted, the bread becomes the perfect sponge for summer tomatoes picked at their peak. The contrast of lemon zest and anchovies round out the dish and will keep you coming back for more.

While short cold days are meant for long-simmered rich tomato sauces, summer, for me, is all about the brightness and vibrancy of barely cooked freshly picked garden goodies. This is one of my favorite summer spaghetti dishes. It could not be simpler and comes together in just over the time it takes to boil pasta.

In the heat of summer, I find myself reluctant to even turn the stove on. This is my go-to summer soup. Served cold, it is so very refreshing. And to me, it is the perfect celebration of the summer goodies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.