What's Giving Me Life

Bright, herby and packed with fresh citrus, this chimichurri gets a twist from both orange and lemon zest and juice. It’s fresh, punchy and incredibly versatile—spoon it over grilled fish or chicken, toss it with vegetables or use it as an excuse to tear off a piece of crusty bread and start dipping. Yield: About 1 cup Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 large shallot, finely diced 1 garlic clove, finely grated ½ cup f

This grilled salmon is simple enough for a weeknight but the citrus chimichurri makes it something special. Fresh cilantro and parsley are mixed with shallot, garlic, orange and lemon for a bright, punchy sauce that gets spooned generously over smoky grilled salmon. And make extra chimichurri—you’re going to want to put it on everything. Yield: 4 salmon fillets Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients For the Citrus Chimichurr

These blackened fish tacos are proof that cooking fish at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. Flaky, spice-crusted cod gets tucked into warm corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage slaw, crumbled queso fresco and a creamy, tangy avocado crema. They come together surprisingly quickly and hit all the right notes: spicy, cool, crunchy and fresh. Yield: 8-10 tacos Servings: 4 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients For the Blackened Fish 1–1½

Sweet, juicy Palisade peaches, crispy pancetta, creamy ricotta and fresh thyme come together on a crisp homemade crust for a pizza that tastes like Colorado summer. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty, with just enough garlic and smoky sea salt to bring everything together. Recipe comes from my dear friend, Kate. Yield: 1 pizza Servings: 2-4 Prep Time: 30 minutes Rise Time: 3-4 hours Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Total Time: About 4½ hours Ingredients For the Pizza Dough 153 g

When peaches are truly at their peak, I don’t think there’s a better way to show them off than a classic peach pie. This one keeps things simple: juicy peaches, lemon, vanilla, nutmeg, and just enough sugar tucked between two flaky, buttery crusts. It’s the kind of summer dessert that deserves a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and absolutely no unnecessary fuss. Yield: 1 (9-inch) double-crust pie Servings: 8 Prep Time: 40 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30-45 minutes Total Time: Abo

This is shrimp scampi dressed for summer. Sweet corn, blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, butter, white wine, and plenty of fresh herbs turn the classic into something brighter, juicier, and even more satisfying. It’s buttery and garlicky in all the right ways, but the tomatoes and corn keep it fresh enough for a hot summer night. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients 1½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined

These marinated tomatoes are peak-summer simplicity. Juicy tomatoes get tossed with garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs, then sit just long enough for everything to mingle. They’re delicious on their own, but even better spooned over whipped ricotta, toast, grilled bread, or anything else that needs a little tomato magic. Yield: About 3 cups Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 2-3 hours, including marinating Ingredients 1 poun

This is one of those recipes that makes peak-summer tomatoes feel extra special without doing too much to them. Flaky puff pastry gets layered with creamy ricotta, juicy tomatoes, garlic, red onion, and fresh thyme, then baked until golden and crisp. It’s simple enough for lunch but pretty enough for a brunch or dinner party. Yield: 1 tart Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20-25 minutes Total Time: About 45 minutes Ingredients 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 8 ounces

When you have more ripe summer peaches than you know what to do with, make cobbler. Juicy, cinnamon-spiced peaches are covered with a buttery, crumbly topping and finished with turbinado sugar for a little extra crunch. It’s unfussy, very peachy and absolutely meant to be served warm with something cold and creamy on top. Yield: One 9x13-inch cobbler Servings: 10-12 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, plus cooling Ingredients For the peac

When summer tomatoes are at their peak, they really don’t need much. This simple tomato sauce lets them do all the work: juicy tomatoes are slow-roasted with olive oil, garlic and fresh oregano, then blended until silky smooth. Use it for pasta, pizza, or as the base for my Tomato Orzo with Chicken Thighs. Yield: About 3-4 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes Ingredients 2–2½ pounds ripe tomatoes, quartered ¼ cup

This is one of those appetizers that feels a little fancy but takes almost no effort. Ricotta and cottage cheese get whipped until light and creamy, then brightened with lemon, a touch of honey, and good olive oil. It’s fresh, slightly sweet, and perfect for spring and summer entertaining. Serve it with crunchy vegetables and crostini, or spread it onto toast for an easy snack. Yield: About 2 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes

This salad was inspired by one I almost ordered at a restaurant in upstate New York —and then couldn’t stop thinking about after someone else at the table did. Fresh corn is charred in a hot skillet with red onion, jalapeño, and garlic, then tossed with lightly cooked zucchini, salty feta, and plenty of chives. It’s smoky, sweet, a little spicy, and one of my favorite ways to use peak-summer produce. Yield: About 7 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15 minute

Salt potatoes are an upstate New York specialty made by boiling small potatoes in heavily salted water, then coating them in plenty of melted butter. The large amount of salt creates a thin, slightly snappy skin while keeping the inside of each potato creamy and tender. They may sound almost too simple, but that simplicity is exactly what makes them so good. Yield: 3 pounds potatoes Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20-30 minutes Total Time: 30-40 minutes Ingredi

Every summer, there comes a point when the garden seems to produce more zucchini than anyone knows what to do with. This recipe is my favorite way to put that abundance to good use. Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor, while olive oil keeps the loaf incredibly moist. The zucchini melts right into the batter, creating a tender, perfectly spiced loaf that's just as good with your morning coffee as it is for an afternoon snack. Yield: 1 (9x5-inch) loaf Servings: 8-10 Prep Tim

When peaches are at their peak, I don't think there's a better dessert than a peach crisp. Sweet, juicy peaches bubble beneath a buttery oat topping that's crisp around the edges and just tender enough in the middle. It's simple, rustic, and exactly the kind of dessert that feels at home at a summer cookout, Sunday dinner, or weeknight treat. Just don't forget the vanilla ice cream. Yield: 1 (8-inch or 8x8 inch) crisp Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40-45 minut

To me, lemon bars are the official dessert of spring. They strike the perfect balance between buttery and bright—a crisp, tender shortbread crust topped with a silky lemon filling that's sweet, tart, and packed with fresh citrus flavor. These are the kind of bars that disappear quickly at Easter brunches, baby showers, backyard dinners, or whenever you're craving a little sunshine. Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) pan Servings: 18-20 bars Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 50-55 minutes To

This is summer in a bowl. Sweet corn, juicy nectarines, spicy jalapeños, fresh herbs, and a good drizzle of olive oil come together to make a salad that's bright, refreshing, and just a little unexpected. It's the kind of dish that disappears at backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. And if you really want to impress people? Tear a ball of burrata over the top right before serving. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 7 minutes Total Time: Ab