Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Cucumbers with Dill
Sprinkling cucumber slices with salt and letting them stand in a colander draws out excess water so they stay crisp when set on a barbecue buffet. Try this cucumber dill salad alongside any grilled entree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ravishing Radish Salad
Here is a recipe that showcases spring veggies in all of their glory. The fresh, crunchy radish salad really complements grilled entrees. —Maggie Ruddy, Altoona, Iowa
Maple Mocha Pops
"One is just not enough," my husband says of these creamy pops. They're a breeze to make, and kids love them, too. You might also freeze in pretty serving cups and top with whipped cream for a grownups' "frappaccino" presentation. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
Grilled Corn in Husks
If you're new to grilling corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It's especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Pork Chops With Nectarine Salsa
This special pork dish has a zesty flair and is a snap to prepare. A sweet fruity salsa balances perfectly with the spicy rub that coats the pan-fried chops. —Bonnie Bufford, Nicholson, Pennsylvania
Watermelon Sherbet
My family has been harvesting watermelons for generations. Our church group often serves this refreshing treat at the town's watermelon festival.—Lisa McAdoo, Rush Springs, Oklahoma
Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets
Here's a super easy salad that looks and tastes festive for the wonderful Christmas season, but is also wonderful all year round. Vinaigrette dressing coats the greens nicely. —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Bella Basil Raspberry Tea
Beautiful basil and fresh raspberries lend bright color and refreshing flavor to this grown-up iced tea. You’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience for parties. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Herbed Feta Dip
Guests can’t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy.—Rebecca Ray, Chicago, Illinois
Lime Coconut Smoothie Bowl
This Key lime and coconut smoothie bowl is the most refreshing thing on the planet! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado
Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea
Sweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations. What could be better than combining them? —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Cinnamon-Basil Ice Cream
I started experimenting with herbal ice creams when I was teaching classes at our local college. Not only were the ice creams popular with my students, but my family loved them as well! One of our favorites is made with a variety of basil called cinnamon basil; however, unless you grow the variety yourself, it can be rather difficult to find. I decided to try to re-create the flavor, and this delicious basil ice cream recipe is the result! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Effortless Guacamole
Here’s one delicious, extra-easy classic you’ll turn to again and again. “I’ve been making this recipe since I started cooking, and that was a long time ago.” DeAnn Lokvam — Tijeras, New Mexico
Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad
"I created this dish when I was trying to duplicate a very lemony Caesar salad," recalls Kathy Armstrong of Post Falls, Idaho. "I think my version is not only delicious but more healthful, too!"
Orange Cream Pops
For a lower-fat alternative to ice cream-filled pops, try slurping this citrus novelty. The tangy orange flavor will make your taste buds tingle—while the silky smooth texture offers cool comfort, no matter how high the temperatures soar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coconut Cold Brew Latte
Cold brew lattes are all the rage at coffee shops, but they're so easy to make at home. This coconut cold brew version is ridiculously refreshing and it's vegan! —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
Shrimp Cobb Salad
This shrimp cobb salad is quite healthy. I often use a grill pan, but you can simply saute, too. Feel free to use any greens you like. — Nicholas Monfre, Hudson, Florida
Moroccan Lamb Lettuce Wraps
I am a huge fan of both Moroccan lamb and lettuce wraps. This combination—with the creamy and crunchy cucumber—makes a tasty slow-cooked dish. The wine and chili powder add extra flavor elements to the sauce mixture, too. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Cilantro-Lime Chicken
As a working mom and home cook, I strive to serve fabulous, flavor-packed dinners that make my family smile, like this tasty cilantro-lime chicken. There is nothing more awesome than a slow-cooker recipe that makes it seem as though you've been cooking in the kitchen all day! —Mari Smith, Ashburn, Virginia
Chicken Breasts with Melon Relish
This tropical-tasting melon relish is sweet and very flavorful. It tastes so good with the tender chicken breasts and is perfect for summer.
Nicoise Salad
This garden-fresh salad is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Add some crusty bread and you have a mouthwatering meal.
Easy Tomato Avocado Salad
I came up with this recipe one day when avocados were on sale at the market. It's a nice change from a lettuce salad, plus it's quick to make.
Blackberry Buttercream
Juicy blackberry buttercream frosting has a stunning color and sophisticated flavor. This frosting works especially well on rich, decadent chocolate cake. —Jocelyn Delk Adams, GrandBaby-Cakes.com
Mom's Pickled Carrots
My mother is the only other person I've known to make this recipe. In fact, when I take it to a potluck or picnic, no one has ever heard of pickled carrots. But once they try them, they are hooked. —Robin Koble, Fairview, Pennsylvania
Grilled Tuna Salad
I love cooking this tuna spinach salad! Tuna steaks are quick to cook and delicious, and always seem a little more elegant, even though they're pretty inexpensive. You can find them at most meat and seafood counters. —De'Lawrence Reed, Durham, North Carolina
Roasted Asparagus With Thyme
This is good-for-you spring-time side dish is so easy to prepare, yet the simply seasoned spears look appealing enough to serve guests or take to carry-in dinner. -Sharon Leno Keansburg, New Jersey
Rosemary Strawberry Daiquiri
This strawberry daiquiri recipe is a standout with its herbal twist! I used to teach herb classes at our local technical college and everyone enjoyed my segment on herbal cocktails like this one. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Greek Feta Chicken
Feta cheese takes this chicken and potatoes dinner over the top with a bit of tangy saltiness. Serve with a side salad tossed with pepperoncinis, black olives and reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon-Garlic Salmon Steaks
"I always enjoy making this easy recipe for my husband, Jim, and me. He absolutely loves salmon and garlic, they go together so well in this recipe." —Mary Lynn Baronett, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Cookies
I need to avoid gluten and have tried transforming my favorite recipes to fit my diet. I came up with these cakelike cookies, and no one ever guesses that they’re gluten-free.
Quick Mango Sorbet
Last summer, I decided to try my hand at making a passion fruit and mango sorbet. But fresh fruits require more prep and are difficult to find ripened at the same time. So I experimented using frozen fruit and juice, and voila! Both are readily available and inexpensive, too. —Carol Klein, Franklin Square, New York
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
This sweet-tart lemonade is a traditional part of my Memorial Day and Fourth of July menus. Folks can't get enough of the fresh-squeezed flavor. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky
Spicy Pork Tenderloin Salad
A friend served this curry-flavored salad at a luncheon, and I tweaked it to fit our tastes. Since it's a meal in one, it's perfect for weeknights, and the presentation makes it ideal for entertaining. —Pat Sellon of Monticello, Wisconsin
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies
I converted these blondies to be gluten-free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were really craving brownies one night, and this cakelike treat hit the spot! They're a great spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
Peppy Peach Salsa
Garden-fresh salsas are one of my favorite condiments. So when I saw a recipe for peach salsa in the newspaper, I couldn't think of anything that sounded better. —Jennifer Abbott, Moraga, California
The post 36 Gluten-Free Recipes That Have Us Excited for Summer appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski