August is peak flavor season, and this recipe collection proves it. From a crisp, refreshing iceberg salad to not one but two tomato pastas (a no-cook version for hot days and a roasted one for when you’re feeling fancy), this month’s lineup is all about bold summer flavors without the kitchen sweat. And because no August is complete without a little chill, I’ve added cold, sweet treats to keep things cool and delicious. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just keeping it easy on a weeknight, these summer recipes are here to bring the heat and beat it.
Spicy Shrimp Roast
This is an easy Spicy Shrimp Roast with potatoes and bell peppers. It’s a quick and satisfying dish that is hot and vinegary, and those familiar with Goan cuisine will notice some of those flavors. My grandmother made a shrimp dish like this, but she packed the heat so much that I remember my ears would ring
No-Cook Summer Tomato Sauce Spaghetti
This easy summer pasta recipe is savory with a hint of sweetness, and it makes the most of ripe, juicy tomatoes—no long simmering required. It’s the perfect way to enjoy bold tomato flavor without having to stir a pot of sauce over a hot stove. You’ll still need to boil the pasta, but the rest
Roasted Tomato Miso Sauce and Spaghetti
This is the simplest of tomato sauces to use with pasta, one that I make often. If you make this sauce in summer during the peak season of tomatoes, then you shouldn’t need to add sugar because ripe tomatoes in season are always so sweet! If you do or you don’t own anchovies on hand or you do or don’t eat seafood, you must try this roasted tomato sauce. Instead of anchovies that help amplify the umami of the sauce, miso builds the savoriness of the sauce, adds salt, and also helps thicken the sauce.
Preserved Lemon, Za’atar Pasta
My pantry is like a treasure chest, a collection of ingredients waiting to be used. This Preserved Lemon Za’atar Pasta is one of the best ways to use up pantry ingredients, and it is inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The pasta is fragrant with the aroma of tangy fresh and preserved lemons, za’atar, and plenty of garlic. Soft creamy ricotta and crunchy toasted breadcrumbs compliment the pasta. This is an easy dinner to make on a busy day, and one everyone loves. This is also an excuse to use the lemons growing in my garden.
Iceberg Salad with Tomatoes, Pancetta, Pork Floss, and Yogurt Dressing
While I’m usually a fan of bold greens like arugula and kale, there’s something about the crisp, refreshing crunch of iceberg lettuce that hits just right—especially in the heat of summer. This salad delivers precisely what you want when craving something light but still satisfying, with its juicy, crunchy texture that feels like a cool
Özlem Warren’s Garlicky Zucchini and Carrots with Walnuts in Yogurt
This gorgeous dish is perfect on a hot summer day and I’ve eaten it with eggs for breakfast, directly slapped onto toast, or with flatbread. It’s also a great side for lunch or dinner as Turkish cookbook author and instructor, Özlem Warren writes in her book, Sebze (Hardie Grant, 2024). (Recipe printed with permission)
Bombay Lemonade/Nimbu Paani/Shikanji
Nimbu Paani, Shikanji, or, as I like to call it, Bombay Lemonade, is one of my favorite summer drinks. Typically made with green limes in India, it’s also a spectacular drink with lemons (try Meyer lemons in the recipe for a different aroma). Sweet and sour with a smoky, spicy, and citrusy flavor will quench your summer thirst and keep you coming back for more.
Roasted Strawberries and Rhubarb with Balsamic Glaze
Every spring, I find myself waiting for strawberries and rhubarb, for their fragrance to fill the kitchen, for their colors to bleed together in the oven like a watercolor painting.
Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream
What are your favorite movie snacks? I love popcorn and ice cream so much that I combined them! First, I make fresh popcorn milk for the ice cream base in my Breville the Smart Scoop. Then, I fold caramel popcorn and drizzle it with plenty of caramel sauce. It’s the ultimate movie treat that makes me so happy!
Peach, Cardamom, and Saffron Cake
This is a busy summer, I’ve embarked on the process of remodeling the house. Of course, the idea to do this, started with my kitchen! When we moved into this home a year ago I fell in love with the kitchen and the garden. But as time progressed, I realized working in this kitchen became a challenge. The layout wasn’t practical, the larger appliances need to be updated, and I needed a place where I could use my kitchen for work but also entertain. Over the next couple of months, you can follow my progress (the ups and downs) of gutting, and remodeling a kitchen over at Instagram.
0