Cajun Rice

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Tender rice with onion, bell pepper, and celery mixed with a great blend of spices adds up to bowl of Cajun rice—a simple, easy-to-make side dish that tastes like something a whole lot fancier than it actually is.

overhead horizontal photo of cajun rice in stainless skillet

While a basic pot of rice cooks, you’ll saute the Cajun trinity (that would be onion, bell pepper, and celery) in a bit of butter, along with that mix of bold, smoky spices, and the next thing you know that plain rice becomes the star of the table.

If you’ve never cooked with the Cajun trinity before, your tastebuds are about to be very happy—it’s the Southern version of mirepoix, only with a little more attitude. The sweetness of the sautéed onion and bell pepper balances the earthiness of the celery, and that forms the flavorful base of this dish.

A sprinkling each of smoked paprika, garlic, oregano, thyme, black pepper, cayenne, along with a good pinch of salt turn this into something really tasty. Don’t be afraid of the cayenne either. It doesn’t actually provide heat here, it just gives the other flavors a boost.

serving spoon holding colorful rice with bell peppers

This dish is as versatile as it is flavorful. Serve it as a side next to grilled chicken or shrimp—or pile the rice into a bowl and call it dinner. I highly recommend cooking up a batch of Cajun chicken bites while the rice is cooking and then serving them over the rice.

The best part is, this recipe is super forgiving and about as adaptable as can be. You can adjust the spice to your taste, double it for leftovers, or toss in whatever protein you have on hand. (It’s excellent with sliced kielbasa or andouille sausage stirred into the rice, too.) It’s a great base to build on, but it’s just as good left simple as written.

One final note, friends. Don’t skip that finish of fresh parsley. It might seem like a small thing, but it adds just the right brightness to balance out all the warm, deep flavors happening underneath.

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Ham Pasta Salad

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Crunchy bite-sized pieces of fresh vegetables, herbs, and ham, combined with a light and creamy dressing, make this ham pasta salad a standout! Be the belle of the buffet or the big wig of the barbecue with a bowl of this elevated summer standard.

ham pasta salad in a bowl

Ham Pasta Salad

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time working in a steamy kitchen when it’s hot outside. But we all have to eat, so pasta salad often becomes my go-to in the summertime.

It only takes a few minutes to boil the pasta, and once you’ve drained it, all the hot work is done. Rinse that pasta in cool water, chop up some vegetables and ham, and stir it all together with dressing. If you ask me, meat, vegetables, and pasta equals a full meal.

Watermelon Basil Salad

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Chilled cubes of watermelon tossed with lemon juice, salt, and a hint of spice are topped with thin ribbons of basil in this watermelon basil salad. Whether you eat it as is or top it with goat cheese or feta, it is destined to be a surefire summer hit!

watermelon basil salad on a black plate

Watermelon Basil Salad

Packing a surprising amount of flavor, this light and refreshing summer salad is a perfect choice to accompany anything grilled. And since it’s grilling season, this is a salad recipe you want in your back pocket.

This is best the day it’s made, but is still very tasty if eaten within a day or two. Wait to top with cheese right before serving for the best results.

watermelon basil salad in a white bowl

Watermelon salad is mercifully easy to make when you know how to cut watermelon. And if you don’t know, check out that link for easy step-by-step instructions.

Basil is such a great natural pairing with watermelon. Both are fragrant and floral but the basil brings a little peppery zing to complement the sweet melon.

You can choose to scatter a little feta or goat cheese on top of the salad for a little briny deliciousness just before serving, but that’s strictly optional. I love the creamy, saltiness with the sweet watermelon.

watermelon basil salad collage

Watermelon salads go into heavy rotation around here when it’s wa

Parmesan Pepper Pasta

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Parmesan cheese, black pepper, butter, and olive oil combine to make this version of the classic simple and sublime Parmesan pasta. Its ease to prepare is matched only by its perfection.

parmesan pepper pasta in a bowl

Parmesan Pasta

Nothing beats pasta when it comes to turning out a quick meal that makes everyone happy. But this pasta dish is a particular stand out in that category.

Whether you serve it as a stand-alone vegetarian main dish with a Strawberry Spinach Salad or pair it with a meat dish like Baked Italian Chicken, it’s sure to please.

parmesan pepper pasta in a bowl

Cacio e Pepe

This recipe is a gentle riff on the classic Italian dish cacio e pepe which literally translates as cheese and pepper. The original dish uses only pasta, black pepper, salt, and Pecorino Romano cheese.

There are so many reasons to love this dish; simplicity of preparation, perfect balance of flavors, and budget-friendliness, just to name a few.

Our version makes use of Parmesan cheese both because it’s our preference and what we had on hand and I don’t like making special trips to the store unless I have to.

spaghetti being tossed with parmesan cheese in a bowl

Asian Cabbage Salad

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Bright and colorful, this flavorful Asian cabbage salad is full of freshness and crunch. You’re going to turn to this again and again during grilling season.

multi color Asian cabbage salad in a white bowl on a wooden surface with a blue and white linen

Asian Cabbage Salad

Different from the ever popular ramen cabbage salad that has crumbled ramen noodles in it, this is a fun variation on the classic. This multi-colored riff has no ramen, but still packs plenty of texture and fun.

Asian Coleslaw

This recipe makes use of classic Asian flavors to create a slaw that is terrific with a multitude of options.

I use this salad much as I would a standard coleslaw addition to almost any meal. It is an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, pork, and beef.

But don’t stop there! It’s great with sub sandwiches or fried chicken or fish, too!

multi color Asian cabbage salad in a white bowl on a wooden surface with a blue and white linen

Cabbage Salad Recipe

To make this summer staple salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Napa or green cabbage
  • purple cabbage
  • carrots
  • green onions
  • sliced almonds
  • sesame seeds
  • Sweet Sesame Dressing

The versatile sweet sesame dressing used is the same one that goes into our Asian Salmon Salad. You can even use some of it to marinate fish or chicken to grill to go with this salad!

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