Fast and Fabulous Recipes That’ll Help You Savor Summertime—While It Lasts!

By Southern Living Editors
Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Let the slow, simmering days of late summer keep on ticking. We’re stocked up with plenty of reasons to savor the flavors of the season. First, journey into Louisiana’s Cajun country where you’ll find a secluded bed-and-breakfast that hosts some of the most spirited celebrations of the region’s culture that we’ve tasted. The menu balances the traditional and unexpected with quirky takes like Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes and Braised Greens and Grapes. We’re feeling the heat this season and responding with no-cook summer suppers. Step away from the stove using these five fresh and fabulous recipes that’ll get dinner on the table without breaking a sweat. The Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad will save you again and again, we promise. We’re giving you a reason to fire up the grill, too. Try our sizzling skillet steak recipe with blistered vegetables that can be made entirely in your cast-iron skillet. It’s low on cleanup, high on flavor. Is any late-summer night complete without a classic dish with a brand-new twist? Our Best-Ever Succotash features standout ingredients like okra and basil, making it a hit at every gathering. Save any weeknight with a grilled pizza packed full with fresh summer vegetables and savory smoked chicken, while our Mini Tomato Sandwiches with Bacon Mayonnaise turns a classic dish into a tasty appetizer. We couldn’t round up the season without a perfectly chilled dessert. Serve up slices of our No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie, and you’ll be raking in the compliments. Whatever you whip up this August, make it a breeze with these easy recipes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons

Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Yellow Gazpacho with Herbed Goat Cheese Toasts

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Yellow Gazpacho with Herbed Goat Cheese Toasts

3 of 15

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise

Advertisement

4 of 15

Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Tartar Sauce

Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Tartar Sauce

5 of 15

Best-Ever Succotash

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Best-Ever Succotash

6 of 15

Greek Chicken Salad Wedges

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Greek Chicken Salad Wedges

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad

8 of 15

Seared Hanger Steak with Braised Greens and Grapes

Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Seared Hanger Steak with Braised Greens and Grapes

9 of 15

Grilled Pizza with Summer Veggies and Smoked Chicken

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Grilled Pizza with Summer Veggies and Smoked Chicken

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Grilled Steak with Blistered Beans and Peppers

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Grilled Steak with Blistered Beans and Peppers

11 of 15

Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta

12 of 15

Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Vegetable Bowls

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

14 of 15

Blackberry Trifles with Pecan Feuilletage and Mascarpone-Cane Syrup Mousse

Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Blackberry Trifles with Pecan Feuilletage and Mascarpone-Cane Syrup Mousse

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in food

All Topics in food

Advertisement