Rachael Ray uses Kirby cucumbers for this salad because they have a very thin skin; you can just wash them and use them without peeling.
Get the Recipe: Tomato, Onion, and Cucumber Salad
Store-bought red velvet cupcakes add a moist layer to ice cream pie. Top this no-bake layered dessert with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of crumbs.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet-Blueberry Ice Cream Pie
Serve this corn tomato salad on its own, on pasta or even as a taco topper for an extra-fresh flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
Rachael’s individual cheesecakes have a beautiful pink blush to them and couldn’t be easier to make, thanks to help from store-bought crusts.
Get the Recipe: Individual No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes
Rachael’s fruit tart comes together quick with the help of instant pudding mix and a premade crust.
Get the Recipe: 10 Minute Fruit Tart
Slurp up this smoothie after a workout, for breakfast or as dessert. Bobby Flay’s healthy treat takes less than five minutes to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Papaya-Banana Smoothie
Ina’s five-minute appetizer is a beautiful display to have on your picnic table. Vary the color of your tomatoes to get the most-appealing presentation.
Get the Recipe: Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad
Ellie Krieger’s salad is simple and light. A dressing of white wine vinegar, sugar and dill is all you need to top your cucumbers.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad
Kick off a summer meal with Tyler Florence’s quick and refreshing gazpacho. The blended watermelon keeps the soup light, and a bit of serrano chile will add just the right amount of heat.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho
Bobby uses blue corn tortilla chips to add crunch to this side. Toss all the ingredients together, crumble the chips on top and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Avocado Salad
A muffuletta is a traditional Italian sandwich typically made with Italian deli meat, cheese and a marinated olive salad. Jeff Mauro’s version uses mortadella, salami and capocollo, which each have a distinct taste that comes from the process of curing the meat.
Get the Recipe: Monster Muffaletta
Gather around with friends and family for dinner to share Rachael’s fresh salad inspired by Greek tapas recipes.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad
Ina Garten’s no-cook combination of watermelon, arugula, mint and feta cheese gives this salad a ton of flavor without taking a lot of time.
Get the Recipe: Arugula, Watermelon and Feta Salad
The Neelys layer cookies, ice cream, caramel and whipped cream to create their decadent, layered ice cream bars. Best of all, this no-cook treat features ingredients that are likely stocked away in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Bars
Bobby features white grapes and white grape juice in his gazpacho with champagne grapes as a contrasting garnish. Simply puree all of the ingredients in a blender and strain before chilling. Fold in the whipped heavy cream at the very end.
Get the Recipe: Chilled White Gazpacho
Spike these frozen treats with vodka or substitute orange juice for a family-friendly summertime dessert.
Get the Recipe: Spiked Watermelon Pops
“When it comes time for summer,” says Alex, “I can’t resist making a salad bursting with ingredients from the local markets. For best results, make the salad without ever refrigerating the tomatoes but with the watermelon cold from the refrigerator. The contrast of temperatures will give the salad an extra-fresh taste.”
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Watermelon Salad
This no-cook soup is made entirely in a food processor. It gets a creamy consistency thanks to smooth yogurt and a touch of sweetness from honey.
Get the Recipe: Chilled Creamy Cucumber Soup
This simple salad (ready in just 10 minutes) is loaded with fresh flavor thanks to chopped fresh herbs and a tangy vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Salad
Make Alton Brown’s pepper and dill pickles ahead of time and you’ll be set in advance for the next summer cookout or picnic.
Get the Recipe: Dill Pickles
These vanilla milkshakes with malted milk aren’t for kids. A splash of Scotch in these sips makes them an adults-only indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Boozy Blondie Milkshakes
Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this salad a filling but still no-cook option. Toss with a peanut dressing and drizzle with chile oil for extra heat.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad with Red Chile Peanut Dressing
Anne Burrell uses green apples, fennel and horseradish to transform a typical cabbage slaw into a creamy and tart side dish for your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Slaw
With only three ingredients, you can make a classic vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake anytime of day.
Get the Recipe: Almost-Famous Milkshakes
Peeling zucchini into ribbons with a mandoline or vegetable peeler gives the strips the appearance of fettuccine.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini “Fettuccine” With Tomato Sauce
These beauties from Giada De Laurentiis can be refrigerated for up to two days for an impromptu indulgence at a moment’s notice. Start with store-bought pound cake for a quick dessert solution.
Get the Recipe: Individual Strawberry Trifles
Alex Guarnaschelli showcases how delicious strawberries can be when used outside of the dessert realm.
Get the Recipe: Arugula and Strawberry Salad
Trisha Yearwood gives traditional salsa a makeover with fresh summer mango and watermelon. Serve with tortilla or pita chips to tide over a crowd before your main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salsa
Get the Recipe: Breadless Cucumber Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Ina deconstructs guacamole and turns it into a festive summer salad. Mix everything together ahead of time and then toss in the avocado at the last minute for extra freshness.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole Salad
All you need is 15 minutes to turn crunchy endive into a salad filled with toasted hazelnuts, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
Get the Recipe: Endive-Tomato Salad
This salad is both beautiful and healthy, thanks to a variety of greens. Serrano chile adds heat to the dish while English cucumbers give it crunch.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cilantro-Scallion Salad
This 20-minute salad is inspired by island ingredients. Fresh and sweet mango is complemented by spicy jalapeno.
Get the Recipe: Tropical Watercress Salad
The acid from the lime and orange juices “cooks” the scallops for the easiest starter or no-cook light meal. Top with sliced avocado or make your own guacamole.
Get the Recipe: Scallop Ceviche
The cool crunch of cucumber and the juiciness of in-season watermelon make this salad perfect for a summer day.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Using Asian sesame oil in addition to olive oil gives this savory summer snack a nuttier taste.
Get the Recipe: Hummus Dip
Stay cool as a cucumber with this simple side dish that’s a perfect complement to a summer meal on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad
Pineapples offer a fresh take on the lettuce wrap, while the fish sauce, a salty Asian condiment, gives it a nutty edge.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps
Quick and easy dill slaw, made with preshredded coleslaw mix, gives this lunchtime classic a crunchy, flavorful twist.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Wraps With Dill Slaw
Dress thinly sliced zucchini and yellow squash with a little lemon juice, fresh herbs, olive oil and pecorino cheese for a simple summer salad.
Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Carpaccio
This British-inspired dessert is nice and light — and layered with sweet, fruity flavor.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry-Blackberry Summer Trifle
This upgraded turkey sandwich features traditional ingredients like mayonnaise and celery, as well as some unconventional ones like grapes and almonds. It is also perfect to take on the go for a picnic.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Turkey Salad Sandwiches
The fresh flavors in this salad shine when drizzled with white wine vinaigrette and topped with crumbled queso fresco cheese.
Get the Recipe: Vine-ripe Tomato Salad with Queso Fresco, Cilantro, and Serrano
This dessert is literally easy as pie. The chocolate pie topped with fresh whipped cream and shaved chocolate is ready in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cream Pie
Bobby features the sophisticated flavors of sangria in an ice pop. Combine reduced red wine with fruit and fruit juices, then let the mixture steep overnight in the fridge before pouring into ice pop molds.
Get the Recipe: Sangria Ice Pops
Instead of sprinkling cheese directly on top of your salad, try incorporating it into your dressing for more layered flavors. Feta, dill, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil make up the dressing for this colorful salad.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Salad
Bourbon-spiked whipped cream gives this dessert a kick of flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet summer peaches.
Get the Recipe: Boozy Peaches and Cream
Beans make a versatile and filling spread for these sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Veggie-Stack Pita Pockets
This torte is a fantastic no-bake, hot-weather version of cheesecake. The recipe uses Neufchatel cheese, which is very similar in texture and taste to cream cheese.
Get the Recipe: Limoncello Raspberry Torte
Ellie’s petite treats are perfect one-bite summer desserts.
Get the Recipe: Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches
Source: www.cnn.com