Hooray for June! The sun is shining and I can’t wait to participate in summer activities with Grace. I’ve been thinking of some fun recipes for summer produce (my favorites) and been working on our garden lately.
Since I so often look for fresh chives when cooking scrambled eggs, I also grow herbs near the window. I’ve found this narrow planter (affiliate link) which has a water tank at the bottom. So far, so good! The herbs are so thirsty!
This month, seasonal produce options expand to include fresh fruits like blueberries and strawberries, rhubarb and cherries. I think I’m going to make a crisp soon. The only question is what kind…blueberry, mixed berries Or strawberry rhubarb? Asparagus and spring peas are on their way out, so stock up on them while you can.
Lawyer
Creamy Avocado Dip
Gluten-free and vegan
“Another successful dinner! It was surprisingly tasty. Honestly, I let this go thinking “huh”, but then my friends had a dinner party and I was dying for an excuse not to eat their steak or ground beef tacos, so I made the refried beans for my tacos. Tonight I made the avocado sauce and pickled onions with… YUM. And super easy!!” – Erin
beets
Colorful beet salad with carrots, quinoa and spinach
Gluten-free and vegan
“This might be THE best salad I’ve ever made. I have a vegan friend who I always try to find interesting recipes for and she loved it too. I made it exactly according to your recipe, except for adding a mixture of toasted almond flakes and pumpkin seeds. – Heather
Blueberries
Blueberry Almond Crunch
Gluten-free and easily vegan (see recipe notes)
“It was delicious, served with vanilla ice cream and topped with leftover plain yogurt. Such a simple dessert! –Lindsay
Cherries
Cherry Couscous and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Easily gluten-free and easily vegan (see recipe notes)
“I just ate this for dinner and it was as amazing as it looked!” -Kate
Cucumber
Gaby’s cucumber salad
Gluten-free and vegan
“Did it immediately last night and loved it – so did my daughter! Quick and easy when you get home from work – served with pasta. – Connie
Green beans
Green bean salad with toasted almonds and feta
Gluten-free and easily vegan (avoid feta)
“Amazing! I made this last night and absolutely loved it – it was so fresh, easy to make and satisfying. I served it hot and the tangy lemon, crunchy almonds and salty feta combo was perfect. This one definitely goes into my weekly rotation – thanks for another winner, Kate!” -Sarah
Green vegetables
Sun-dried tomato, spinach and quinoa salad
Gluten-free and vegan
“Another great recipe! I made it the other day and loved it. The next one had some leftovers so I had an avocado I needed to eat so I cut it up and threw it on it and wow! This will definitely be on my favorites list. -Christine
More spinach recipes » (Also rocket)
Herbs
Classic pesto
Gluten-free and easily vegan
“I got a big bunch of basil from my farming co-op, so I made it yesterday from your cookbook and froze it in an ice cube tray. Now I have delicious little cubes of pesto to add to soup, roasted vegetables, and probably everything else! Today I’m going to try the same with leftover cilantro, parsley, maybe some arugula, and toasted pepitas. -Jeanne
More basil recipes » (Also coriander And dill)
kale
All-purpose Kale Salad with Green Tahini Dressing
Gluten-free and vegan
“I made your ‘Anything Is Fine Kale Salad with Green Tahini Dressing’ last night for my daughter’s 25th birthday. I’ve never grilled pepitas before – and my daughters loved them! My two daughters asked for your recipe – The salad was beautiful and tasted delicious…” – Peg
mango
Fresh mango salsa
Gluten-free and vegan
“This summer we had a bountiful harvest of mangoes in our Florida home, and I found this recipe online. Perfect for a women’s lunch I was invited to. It was simple to make, beautiful and delicious. Almost all the guests asked me for the recipe. I will definitely do it again. -Vicky
Radishes
Almond Sesame Soba Zoodles with Quick Pickled Vegetables
Easily gluten-free and easily vegan
“It was such a quick and easy meal to prepare! The pickles really balance out the sauce and the noodles – and the sauce is so delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe!” – Maya
Rhubarb
Almond cake, roasted strawberries and rhubarb
Gluten free
“I have made this cake 3 times now. Once with apple, raspberry and rhubarb. Twice with strawberries and rhubarb. It’s so simple. I have all the ingredients in my cupboard and it comes together in minutes so I can whip them up between preparing the main meal and surprising everyone. A good idea Kate to separate the fruits. This means that I can keep it for a few days and garnish it as I wish. The flavor is delicate and pleasant. I have shared with many of my friends. – Molly
Strawberries
Colorful arugula salad with strawberries and balsamic vinaigrette
Gluten-free and easily vegan
“I didn’t believe it was possible to crave a salad until I ate this!” This is the BEST salad in the world, hands down. The dressing room is also perfect! – Rebecca B.
Don’t forget to tag your recipe photos #cookieandkate so we can all see them! If you are looking for an ingredient that is not listed, check out my new ingredient index for relevant recipes.
Other resources you might enjoy: 13 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that go well for lunch And 20 Simple Weekday Dinners. You can shop my kitchen essentials here. do not forget to follow us on Pinterest for a constant stream of recipe inspiration!
