I love pesto, especially as summer gets into full swing and basil can be plucked right from the pots of it growing with wild abandon in my herb garden. Very Culinary brings together the best of the season-delicious tomatoes, tender asparagus, and tops them with gooey cheese on an artisan bread. What a wonderful light dinner in a warm late spring evening on the patio!

Asparagus Muenster Melt with Pesto Spread

Photo copyright thebittenword.com, used with permission

Chick pea salads are my favorite go-to meals when we have a busy evening, like this great recipe from Family Feed Bag. They are so easy to toss together, and then supplement with another salad or even some quickly stir fried prawns in a bit of lemon and garlic butter. You can use canned chick peas, but if you are adventurous try using dried. The flavor is better, there is less sodium, and they are much more economical!

Chipotle Chickpea Salad

Photo copyright Family Feed Bag, used with permission

I have a confession to make: I’ve never, ever, cooked a roast. Mostly because my family, not being big beef eaters, would never eat the whole thing! Nugglemama’s Handful could school me in how to make a good roast, and I gazed at this post longingly as I remembered Sunday lunches from when I was a child. Perhaps I’ll just have to make a roast anyway.

How Nug Does Roast

Photo copyright Nugglemama’s Handful, used with permission

Do you like fried chicken, but are afraid of all the fat? Gourmet magazine may be no longer, but the site has lots of great recipes, one of which is a great oven fried panko chicken. I love panko and the crunchy goodness it lends to bits of tender chicken without all the fat. To top it off and get into the summer feel, drop by Kraft Canada to get some great summer salad recipes. I often use their potato one-it’s easy and a good basic salad you can dress up to your liking.

Oven Fried Panko Chicken
Great Canadian Potato Salad

Photo copyright La Grande Farmers’ Market, used with permission

When I’m short on time and don’t have much in the pantry, this recipe is one of my go-tos to get dinner on the table in short order. Canned tomatoes make a quick sauce simmered with basil, clams, and a bit of red pepper flakes.

Photo copyright Karen Humphrey

Pasta with Clam Sauce