It feels unoriginal, at the mid-point of summer, to complain about the weather. There are probably more important things to talk about. And yet, when the heat is cranked to 104° and its muggy weight presses down every time you step outdoors, it's hard to think about anything else. I know what I'm not thinking about: turning on the stove!

But we have to eat, so let's talk about salad. Let's talk about salads that are such thoroughly satisfying heaps of vegetables we can eat them for dinner, all by themselves. These salads have heft and crunch. They're ice-cold. And if you can bear to turn on the oven or stove for just a minute you can even top them with chicken or baked tofu. From broccoli slaw to kale salad, here are 15 ways to talk salad tonight and leave the weather behind. More

When your garden is overflowing and your kitchen is packed with produce, there is ratatouille. This thick and silky French stew of eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers, and ripe summer tomatoes will use up your extra vegetables in one fell swoop, making enough food to feed a crowd, pack for lunch, and still freeze for later. More

Southern temperatures have been breaking records right and left—this past week it reached 106 degrees in Atlanta almost every single day! The heat and humidity combo have been leaving me physically drained, but just because it's so hot doesn't mean I can't get my daily caffeine fix.
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Sweet summer basil is the Don Juan of herbs. It woos the unsuspecting market shopper with a flip of emerald green leaf while its sensuous licorice-like aroma makes even the most hardened cook smile with pleasure. This is an herb that promises good things to come. More

I am a complete and total sucker for mix-ins. In soda, in ice cream, in coffee or even tea. I love that extra kick of something special in my drinks. I'm thinking these vanilla ice cubes are the perfect things to keep my sweet weekend beverages cold without getting watered down. More

Before blueberries were a superfood, they were simply those roly-poly little berries that we looked forward to scattering on our yogurt and sneaking into muffins all summer. Not much has changed, really! What are your favorite ways to use blueberries? More

Happy 4th of July! Are you lazing about today? Headed for the grills in the park later? Or perhaps you are waiting for the weekend and you're still plotting your big cookout menu. Well, we have a few suggestions. Suggestions like this 3-ingredient Hurricane, a cold and fruity classic cocktail you can mix up in a big pitcher. Or a pasta salad with tomatoes and basil, and the juiciest burgers ever. Read on for these and more: our own favorite cookout recipes. More

If there was ever a week for iced tea, this would be it. Thick, woozy heat, and a national holiday all at once? What are we doing here?! Let's close up shop, go home, and sip a glass of icy green tea with tangerine and mint, or make a pitcher of classic Southern sweet tea. Those and other fresh takes on iced tea here, including tapioca boba milk tea, hibiscus Earl Grey tea, and a spiked iced chai latte. Grab a glass! More

The 4th of July is tomorrow, and we want to know what you have planned. Are you enjoying this mid-week holiday at home? Or are you revving up for a big party in the park or in the back yard? What are you planning to cook? I loved the two ideas pictured above... More

If there's anything better than homemade pie, it's a petite and crusty hand pie that you can claim as your own and nibble at leisure. And if there's anything better than a hand pie, it's one that's filled with jammy summer peaches and just a touch of spicy ginger. Don't you think? More