I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Vegetables make the BEST fast food, corn in particular! You can eat corn raw, grilled, boiled, steamed, or even microwaved. But the only thing better than plain ol’ corn has to be this Street Corn Salad! It’s slathered in a tangy, creamy, spicy dressing and chock-full of cotija cheese and fresh cilantro—just like eloté, or ‘street corn,’ but in an easy-to-eat form. Don’t feel like wearing street corn all over your face at your next cookout? This method has you shaving corn off the cob first so you can enjoy every bite nice and clean. What is Mexican ..read more

I’ve enjoyed sharing my favorite zucchini recipes this month, but I couldn’t leave out these super tasty Zucchini Fritters! These zucchini fritters have been a favorite of mine for years. They’re made with simple ingredients and they’re quick & easy to whip up. Plus who can resist those crispy brown edges and tender inside. And did I mention they’re also budget-friendly coming in at under a dollar per serving? I mean seriously, what’s not to love? If you’re a zucchini lover like me, then you have to give this zucchini fritters recipe a try! ;) Originally posted 1-22-11, updated 7-20-24. Wh ..read more

A cool, creamy, and refreshing sauce that tastes good on just about anything…well hello my favorite Tzatziki sauce recipe! Tzatziki sauce has been a favorite of mine for many years. It’s so fresh and tastes great on lots of things including grilled meats, sandwiches and wraps, veggies and more! This week I served it as a dip with some zucchini fritters, but I also grabbed some pita chips and lots of veggies to serve on the side. We literally could not stop eating it at the studio. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect this time of year. Originally posted 5-10-10, updated 7-19-24. Wha ..read more

Sweet Corn Risotto is a Summertime treat that shouldn’t be missed. Summer corn flavors infuse this entire dish when you use every scrap while cooking! Corn cobs that would normally be discarded bring extra sweetness and earthy flavor to this risotto, making each bite taste like pure farm-to-table bliss. And don’t even get me started on the texture combo. The kernels give the recipe a little crunch and freshness, while the creamy risotto is smooth and decadent – it’s giving budget-friendly… but make it summery! What is Sweet Corn Risotto? Oh, how I love a good risotto. This Italian dish is made ..read more

There is no summertime meal that cannot be improved with a heaping side of perfectly Grilled Vegetables! These grilled veggies take very little prep time, and they’re the best option on fridge clean out day (which makes my busy life 100x easier and saves me money!). I’ve perfected grilling all kinds of vegetables including peppers, onion, zucchini, squash, and mushrooms for the ultimate Summer feast. Each healthy bite is infused with a smokey, summery flavor, and this recipe seriously couldn’t be any easier. Grilling vegetables to perfection takes practice, but with this very simple and quic ..read more

I’m not saying you have to make zucchini bread this summer, but you HAVE to make this Zucchini Bread this summer!? It’s made with the simplest ingredients, is perfectly moist, and the best way to enjoy breakfast on the go for just $0.41 per slice! I was first introduced to this delicious zucchini bread recipe by my mom about 10 years ago and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It’s my favorite way to use up extra zucchini during the summertime. But I’ll be honest, this zucchini bread is so good it will have you wanting to make it all year long! Why Make Zucchini Bread? If you’re wondering wh ..read more

I love a healthy salad with tons of texture, and this Barley Salad recipe is a fresh and juicy flavor bomb! I combined the bold Mediterranean flavors of tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and feta cheese with high-fiber pearled barley for a rich and filling salad. Tossed in a tangy and herbaceous dressing, this salad is the perfect side for any meal! What Is Barley? Barley is a chewy and nutty cereal grain that is rich in fiber and minerals and is the base of this hearty grain salad. This barley salad is similar to our couscous salad but packed with even more wholesome veggies and feta cheese! Ingre ..read more

I love recipes that seem fancy but are surprisingly easy to make like these stuffed Zucchini Boats! They’re one of my favorite ways to use up all of the zucchini that I purchase from the store or the local farmers market during the summertime. It’s the perfect weeknight recipe for meat and veggie lovers and it’s very easy to customize. And since zucchini has a fairly neutral flavor, the Italian-inspired flavors of this dish really get to shine. So if you’re looking for something new to add to your dinner rotation this week, these delicious zucchini boats definitely will not disappoint! Ingred ..read more

I am passionate about salads in all forms, and this Watermelon and Feta Salad is no different! Fresh in-season watermelon is so sweet and juicy, and crumbled feta cheese is so wonderfully salty. I drizzled this summery, fruity salad with a tangy vinegar dressing to make the flavors really pop. This flavorful salad is always in my top 10 side dishes every summer! I don’t know about you, but one thing that’s never left off my grocery list in the summertime is watermelon! We’re lucky here in Tennessee because you can find the sweetest and juiciest ones at our local farmers’ markets (or your neig ..read more

Chilled soup?! No way! To this reaction, I say, “Yes way!” If you haven’t tried gazpacho yet, this vibrant, savory-sweet Watermelon Gazpacho is a great place to start. I love the more common tomato gazpacho, but this watermelon gazpacho is super special and celebratory of my favorite season… Summer. What Is Gazpacho? Gazpacho is a chilled soup made from raw blended vegetables (and sometimes fruits, too!). It is widely enjoyed across Spain and Portugal during the hot summer months since it is so cool and refreshing. It was created for everyday workin’ folks to get the most nutrition with the l ..read more