Summer Recipes

The smell of ripe peaches tells you it's summer. Buy them by the basketful, breathe in the peachy air as they ripen in your kitchen, then share them in these mouthwatering recipes. From peach pavlova and peach pops to peach slab pie and sweet and savory salads and salsas, here are the best ways to put the seasonal fruit to good use.

You love a burger, but you're not always in the mood to enjoy one with a pile of fries. Are they your only side option? We think the simplicity of a classic burger makes it an ideal canvas for pairing with all manner of easy dishes. These are our favorite ideas.

Bell peppers are available year-round, but they're at their best in late summer, when they're more likely to come from a farm closer to home. Try them in everything from dips and salads to soups and stews.

Few foods are as refreshing or adaptable as cucumbers. Their subtle flavor and high-water content make them a welcome addition to a range of dishes, from salads and soups to pickles and cocktails.

What's the secret to a great crumb pie? An easy crumb topping of course! It's so quick to make, using butter, light brown and graulated sugar, flour, and a touch of cinnamon. We suggest you prep it now and keep some in your freezer so you can enjoy wonderful pies all summer and fall, think peach crumb pie, blueberry crumb pie, apple crumb pie. Or toast the topping on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes, and sprinkle over ice cream, frozen yogurt, or fresh fruit.

This easy mousse-like treat blends the tartness of Key lime pie with the richness of cheesecake. Its graham-cracker crust sets in the freezer rather than the oven, and the traditional whipped-cream topping is folded right into the filling, along with fresh citrus juice and zest, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk. Chill it overnight, and wake up to a world of bliss.

Peaches shine in this classic and easy summer dessert. A relative to crisps and cobblers, the simple crumble topping is made with just butter, light brown sugar, and flour. The recipe is versatile; substitute peaches for nectarines, or even a berry-peach blend.

You don't need to travel to the southernmost point of Florida to enjoy a slice of this tart pie. Learn how to make your own key lime pie at home, complete with a graham cracker crust, with this master recipe.

Capture the pure taste of summer with this pasta. The secret: using raw, fresh tomatoes that have never seen the inside of a refrigerator for the tomato sauce. Recipe copyright 2012 by Eugenia Bone.

Layer pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and cucumber, both of which provide crisp, cool counterpoints to the rich meat.

Our favorite striped bass recipe calls for filets of striper. You cook them simply on the grill with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh oregano or thyme. Garnish with wedges of lemon and chopped chives for serving. This recipe also works well with other firm, white-flesh fish such as black sea bass, trout, or grouper.

We've given this creamy cucumber salad recipe a healthy update. But it's still so good, you won't even notice! Reduced-fat sour cream (in place of full-fat) lowers the calorie count without losing taste.