Fire up the grill for a craveworthy porterhouse steak, juicy grilled tomatoes, zesty salads, and to top it off, a red, white, and blue dessert.

main

Grilled Porterhouse with Shallots and Potatoes

side

Grilled Tomatoes with Oregano and Lemon

salad

Tricolor Salad

Watermelon, Orange, and Feta Salad

dessert 

Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle

serves 4

Nothing beats dining outdoors. Beat it out of your kitchen, and fire up the grill to create this scrumptious no-fuss feast.

salad

 Charred-Romaine Salad

main

Grilled Shrimp and Bacon with Lemons

side

Crisp Red Potatoes with Garlic-Herb Oil

dessert

Pound Cake with Peaches and Cream

serves 4

Step away from the oven. This refreshing summer spread requires no cooking (none!). And it barely takes any time to make. 

appetizer

Crudites with Herbed Ricotta

soup

Smooth Tomato Gazpacho

main

Marinated Tuna with Baguette

dessert

Tea-Scented Melon

serves 4

Too hot in the kitchen? Half of this meal -- the flank steak and zucchini -- can be made outside on the grill, and the other half doesn't require any cooking at all.

appetizer
Grilled Zucchini Spears with Mint
main
Flank Steak and Red Onion
side
Spicy Shredded Napa Cabbage Salad
dessert
Raspberry Sorbet with Fresh Whipped Cream

serves 4

Summertime eating is all about ease. Enjoy the outdoors while you prepare this simple and delicious menu that's cooked entirely on the grill.

main
Coriander-and-Oregano-Brined Pork Loin
side
Pouch-Grilled Potatoes and Garlic
Grilled Corn with Sour Cream and Cotija Cheese

serves 4

Can't make it to Italy this summer? Gather friends on a warm night and enjoy the next best thing: a full Italian feast.

appetizer
Lemony Zucchini Bruschetta
Prosciutto-Wrapped Breadsticks
beverage
Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail
main
Pork Milanese with Arugula Salad
side
Ricotta Dumplings
dessert
Tipsy Affogato

serves 4

Invite summer to the table with dishes that take advantage of the season's bounty : Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, sweet corn, and crisp lettuce all make an appearance on this fresh-flavor menu.

appetizer
Iceberg Lettuce with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette Recipe
main
Bacon, Avocado, and Tomato Sandwich Recipe
side
Sweet Corn with Baby Beets and Basil Recipe
dessert
Plum Skillet Cake Recipe

serves 4

Most of this generous summer menu can be made in advance of fiesta time, or customize it -- mix and match a few of the dishes with your favorite salsas and other condiments.

appetizer
Tequila-Grilled Shrimp
main
Grilled Skirt Steak with Poblano Relish Recipe
side
Shredded Cabbage and Radish Salad Recipe
Pinto Beans with Bacon and Scallions Recipe
Red Rice Recipe
dessert
Tres Leches Cake

serves 4

These flavorful departures from the same-old sandwiches and sides is a cinch. Assemble the salads and sides while the chicken is marinating.

salad
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Garlic Oil
main
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Mustard
side
Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar
dessert
Peach-and-Basil Crumbles

serves 4

Chicken topped with a chilled tuna puree is a variation on vitello (veal) tonnato, a classic warm-weather dish. On the side, tomatoes with anchovy dressing and a vegetable gratin.

main
Chicken Tonnato
side
Summer-Vegetable Gratin
salad
Tomatoes with Anchovy Dressing
dessert
Baked Stuffed Apricots
Serves 4

Mediterranean cultures have an enduring tradition of gathering at the end of the day for drinks and nibbles. This summer, embrace small-plate entertaining. Assemble small dishes ahead of time then sit back and unwind with your guests.

beverage
Lillet-Basil Cocktail
Prosecco Cocktail
side
Chilled Mussels with Saffron Mayonnaise
Meatballs with Ouzo and Mint
Tortilla Espanola with Chorizo
Anchovy Crostini with Onion-and-Raisin Relish
Roasted-Eggplant Dip with Greek Yogurt
Herb-Rubbed Pitas

serves 6 to 8

Grab a blanket (and some napkins!), head outside, and savor our easiest fried-chicken feast ever.

main
Rosemary Fried Chicken
side
Tomato Salad with Parsley Vinaigrette
Creamy Pasta Salad with Celery
dessert
Coconut-Pineapple Loaf Cake

serves 8

Fill a basket with these simple Tuscan recipes, including pressed sandwiches and a lemony cake to enjoy a perfect Sunday picnic in the park.

main
Pressed Salami Sandwiches
side
Roasted Yellow Squash Salad
Radicchio and Orange Salad
dessert
Lemon-Fig Cake
Serves 8

Celebrate summer get-togethers with a portable pressed sandwich and fixings that are perfect for dinner on the lawn.

beverage

Herbal Sun Tea
main
Pressed Sandwiches
side
Cold Tomato-Buttermilk Soup
Quick Pickles
dessert
Hazelnut Blondies
Serves 6

This spread of Spanish-inspired dishes creates a lovely yet simple departure from the norm with a saffron-infused potato omelet, asparagus with sherry vinegar, and roasted piquillo peppers -- sangria optional.

This Spanish-inspired spread features creative dishes like a saffron-infused potato omelet, asparagus with sherry vinegar, and roasted piquillo peppers -- sangria optional.

appetizer
Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Goat Cheese
main
Baked Tortilla Espanola
side
Sauteed Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette
dessert
Milk-Chocolate Creams
Serves 4

Codfish cooked in herbs, wine, and lemon is perfectly paired with potatoes drizzled with malt vinegar -- a lighter variation on the British tradition of fish and chips.

main
Codfish with Herbed White-Wine Lemon Sauce
side
Potato Chips with Malt Vinegar
Green Vegetable Medley
dessert
Berries with Warm Sherry Sabayon
Serves 4

Steamed lobsters filled with red and yellow tomatoes are drizzled with a mustard vinaigrette and served alfresco. Additional vinaigrette takes the place of drawn butter.

main
Lobster with Red and Yellow Tomatoes
soup
Summer Corn Chowder
side
Avocado Bruschetta with Green Sauce
dessert
Almond Cakes with Fresh Fruit
Serves 4

Add Mediterranean flair to your next cookout with this colorful menu.

main
Pork Kebabs with Orange and Thyme
side
Toasted-Bulgur Pilaf
salad
Fennel, Red Onion, and Parsley Salad
dessert
Strawberry Sponge Pudding
Serves 4

You don't have to be at the beach to enjoy this coastal classic. Lightly spiced crab cakes are panfried and served alongside honey-sweetened slaw made not only with cabbage but also with vibrant radicchio.

Familiar ingredients take an unexpected turn in this quick dinner. Salmon and new potatoes are infused with Indian-inspired flavors, and cucumber, cantaloupe, and squash come together in a refreshing chilled salad.

Reinvent a traditional nicoise salad by tucking it into a sandwich. Here, we've piled tuna, eggs, olives, and onions between slices of crusty ciabatta. Potato chips are the natural accompaniment; ours are sliced russets that are baked instead of fried.

Mussels are served in the same savory broth in which they were steamed: a mixture of white wine, garlic, shallots, and herbs. Crispy oven frites are accompanied by a dipping sauce of Dijon mustard and chopped chervil.

In this easy-to-prepare Pan-Asian meal, the spiciness of stir-fried shrimp is balanced by the mild flavors of coconut noodles and baby bok choy.

A variety of tapas, the appetizers and snacks popular in Spain, can make a meal.

Try this tasty take on Mediterranean cuisine.

Bring together the varied traditions and flavors of regional Mexican food in a casual taco bar. The party kicks off with a pitcher of premade margaritas, while prepared-ahead salsas do double duty as dips and taco toppings. Carnitas -- juicy pork cubes browned until crisp -- shredded poached chicken, fresh fixings, and warm tortillas fill out the rest of the abundant spread.

Take it easy with a relaxed summertime menu that's great for a crowd or just a few people. Dishes set out on the table for all to share is a great way to eat any day of the week.

salad
Celery-and-Orange Salad
main
Spinach Phyllo Pie
side
Marinated Peppers
salad
Spicy Carrot Salad
appetizer
Roasted Eggplant Dip
dessert
Melon with Honeyed Yogurt

serves 8

This dinner's theme: Mexican ingredients prepared in a modern way. The meal also offers a convenient use for summer's surplus of herbs. Cilantro, mixed with salt, gives a boost to corn, and generous amounts of basil and parsley invigorate the slaw.

main
Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo on Skewers
side
Cabbage-and-Herb Slaw with Oranges
Grilled Corn with Cilantro Salt
dessert
Tequila-Soaked Watermelon Wedges

serves 4