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This month, Summer Miller is back, sharing her meal plans for April. Summer is a mom, a full-time food writer, and also helps test the fabulous recipes we bring you every week at Simply Recipes.
This is about the time of year when home gardens and farm stands start bursting with produce. The best of which is not only visually stunning on the plate, but also often refreshing made into a beverage and served in highball glass.
Which is why I'm including a few summery drink recipes in this month's meal plan, some with alcohol and some without. They'll make your front porch-sitting activities even more relaxing.
This week’s meal plan is about making the most of what remains of early season fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries and peas, while also enjoying the first tomatoes and corn of the season and our love of all things grilled.
It starts out light with a bright, and vibrant pea soup that can be served hot or cold and ends with the my favorite backyard burgers on the grill paired with an herb and citrusy rhubarb spritzer. Cheers!
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Summer Pea Soup
Elise Bauer Long, hot days go well with light simple suppers. If a bowl of chilled pea soup isn’t enough to satisfy you for an evening meal, pair it with this vibrant berry salad.
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Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken
Sally Vargas Warm weather makes dinner a snap. Grilling dinner means fewer dishes and that’s a win for me on a Tuesday night. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour but preferably overnight. Lime adds a bright, zippy flavor to the side salad. Watermelon and cotija cheese pair together for that sweet and salty combination everyone loves.
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How to Grill the Best Burgers
Nick Evans Happy 4th of July! With your holiday burgers, don’t go lean on meat -- an 80/20 ground beef mix is best. The fat keeps the burgers juicy and bursting with flavor. Pair this burger with the tart and herby Rhubarb Spritzer!
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Grilled Fish Tacos with Strawberry Pineapple Salsa
Sabrina Modelle I love this recipe because the fish isn’t breaded or fried. Instead, it's lightly grilled. The charred flavor from grilling pairs beautifully with the sweet and tart fruit salsa. It’s also easy to deconstruct if your children are in the “my food can’t touch” phase.
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Summer Vegetable Risotto
Elise Bauer Risotto is a great dish to master. One vegetable can easily be swapped for another depending on what's in season. This version makes the most of all those garden veggies!