Smart Strategies for Summer Cooking

Appears in

Published 2015

If you’ve got an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly at the beginning of the season. Disassemble the grates, thoroughly clean out the bottom with a stiff wire brush, and clean with eco-friendly grill cleaner.
Avocados are a natural for summer food, adding richness without cooking a thing. Keep a few unripe ones on the windowsill and use them as they ripen.
Heirloom tomatoes are a summer treasure, but they can be expensive, so handle them with care. Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator or they will go from juicy to mealy in no time.
Basil goes with almost all summer produce, especially eggplant, tomatoes, and zucchini. It’s easy to grow in pots or in the garden. I like to plant several different types, including spicy Thai, sweet Genovese, and zesty cinnamon basil. Tear the leaves and toss them in salads and add them as a fresh garnish at the last minute to everything else.
Stone fruit and berries make amazing desserts. Serve sliced white peaches in goblets with Italian sparkling wine, layer berries with sweetened whipped cream and store-bought meringue cookies, or try grilling halved peaches and serving them with pistachio ice cream.

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