I am a self-declared pasta junkie (make that Italian food junkie), but have tendency to forget all about it during the warmer weather months. I often delegate these coveted carbs to fall and winter, when I am craving a hearty lasagna or a rich bolognese. I recently had an Aha! moment when I realized that fresh summer vegetables are just begging to be paired with pastas of all kinds—and not just in the obvious pasta salad. I know I am probably the last person to think of this, but surely better late than never. More

People can be protective about their pesto recipes and approaches. A little extra garlic or the special way they grind down the pesto? It's the magic touch. This is largely because pesto is so adaptable: you can create a signature pesto of your own using different nuts, greens, cheeses and spices. And that is exactly what we have here. More

Do you enjoy eating spicy food in hot weather? I love the refreshing combination of cool cucumbers and hot chile peppers, as in the case of Korean oi muchim. This quick and easy salad makes a great potluck dish, or a fiery alternative to kosher dill or bread and butter pickles alongside sandwiches. And, of course, it's excellent alongside Korean BBQ (meat or tofu). More

I've never met a chickpea I didn't like. Chickpeas have a satisfying texture and nutty flavor that shine when dressed with a simple vinaigrette, so I've especially been enjoying them lately in salads. And this chickpea salad is a special one, full of tender beans, chewy barley, and crunchy zucchini, all held together with a bright, refreshing vinaigrette. More

Lately it's been hot as all get-out in New York and this week the pilot light went out on my range, so I feel like I'm completely ensconced in no-cook cooking.

One of my favorite ways to feel like I'm getting a good dose of vitamins and protein without turning on the stove is a simple dish with slabs of tomato and anchovies marinated in vinegar, known as boquerones. Sometimes it's enough for lunch, sometimes even dinner with a hunk of bread and a good cheese. Here's a version that gets dressed up with bread crumbs, basil and red onion. More

Gazpacho was invented for days like these. The hot, humid days of summer when the very idea of setting a pot over a burner has us reaching for another glass of lemonade. There are a million and one versions of gazpacho out there, all equally easy to whip up in a blender and all equally perfect for a hazy summer night. Here's our most basic, simple recipe to get you started. More

Seafood salads served in avocado halves always used to remind me of 1960s kitsch food, the sort of thing you might see photographed in garish colors in a thrift store magazine. That was until I realized why this retro combination was so popular with the ladies who lunched fifty years ago: it is very, very good. More

I didn't grow up eating pickled shrimp, which is surprising considering my mom's coastal upbringing. Her family spans from the Atlantic beaches of Florida, all the way to the bayous of Louisiana. Seafood made regular appearances at our family gatherings, but usually in the form of spicy gumbos and jambalayas. More

Pasta salad can mean a lot of things to a lot of people; down South, we've certainly made "macaroni salad" our own. Heirloom recipes sometimes include onions, celery, hard boiled eggs, pickles, or sweet relish, and you can always count on a heaping dollop of, but what else? Mayonnaise, of course! More

I attribute my early-in-life distaste for asparagus to my grandmother's habitual over-cooking of all things green, but now I love to eat it raw and flash-cooked. And now is the time.

Last week I wrote about rhubarb bursting forth from the garden. Next in line in spring's parade of gifts is asparagus. When it comes, it really comes. Bundles of it give a new fresh texture to the market, their tight little cone heads poking up into the sun.

Since we're talking about grilling this week on The Kitchn, I wanted to share a recipe from my last book, Good Food to Share. It's a lightning-fast way to cook asparagus with fire, bringing out the best of this spring vegetable. More