FIVE RECIPES TO TRY RIGHT NOW

Summer is always my favorite time to try new recipes, but this year, I feel like I am still decompressing from the school year and so, I’m craving simple meals with easy sides that can be made quickly. Today I’m sharing three sides, a dessert and my favorite, no-knead bread recipe, all of which are amazing for every day family dinners, but are also special enough to serve at or bring to get-togethers and barbeques all summer long! The best part is that you can control what ingredients you put in each recipe. If you’re trying to be vigilant about what your family is eating, homemade really is the best way to go, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complex. With the Fourth in just a few days, any of these would be huge hits to serve:

NO-KNEAD BREAD This recipe from Recipe Tin Eats is, hands down, the easiest and most amazing I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many). Three simple ingredients and it’s so easy to make that my kiddos each make this on their own (they also fight for who gets the first piece as soon as I take it out of the oven!) If you want to make your own bread, but are intimidated, this is the perfect recipe to start with.

GOUDA MAC AND CHEESE This is one of my kiddos’ favorites, but it’s also one of the most requested whenever we are going to a friend’s for dinner. You can swap out the gouda for any kind you like, but what makes this really amazing is the little bit of ground mustard. SO GOOD!

NAUGHTY FORK PASTA SALAD We’ve had quite a few poolside dinners and we’ve attended just as many at friends’ houses and I am pretty sure I’ve made this each and every time! Chock full of salami, mozzarella, peperoncini, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, it’s such an easy summer side to grilled chicken (and leftovers are amazing the next day).

PANZANELLA Nothing is more delicious in the summer months than fresh veggies, kalamata olives, feta cheese and homemade croutons (I make mine out of my day-old bread recipe listed above; just saute cubes in olive oil in a cast iron pan and sprinkle with a little sea salt). This is on heavy rotation in my house!

CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE This is as tasty as it is pretty with a little sprinkling of powdered sugar on top, and it’s become a family favorite. It’s also easy enough that my kids can whip it up and, like most cakes, is even better the next day.

What recipes are you loving lately?