My July cooking wish list ☀️
Hey, Reader, it’s Erin.Real talk: we're in the middle of a kitchen renovation and that means my family is living with a minimal kitchen setup. Our dinner strategy has become incredibly simple: it's always a grilled protein paired with a raw or steamed vegetable or the occasional bagged salad. (Love those!) Breakfast is yogurt, granola and whatever fresh fruit I can find in the fridge. And lunch is whatever I can reheat in the microwave. We don't even have a hot plate, so the cooking that is going on here is happening in the toaster oven, the microwave or on the grill. Which just consequently happens to be sizzling hot because I live in Texas, and it now feels like the surface of the sun. I know this is a self-imposed minimal kitchen setup situation, and it is absolutely going to be worth the hassle when we get into our new kitchen. (And it is coming along!) It has been an interesting reset as I brainstorm on what we can eat and how we can make these recipes in a way that works with our current setup. So today, instead of telling you what I'm actually making this month, I'm going to share the recipes that I'm dreaming about making. Here's my July 2026 cooking wish list... For busy weeknights:Caprese ChickenSo summery and so delicious. This features some of my all-time favorite summer ingredients and is made on a single sheet pan.
Crunchy Chicken Cobb SaladThe recipe that birthed my homemade chicken nuggets recipe, this salad is a fast food chain knock-off. It is my go-to salad for when I have an actual kitchen. The creamy honey mustard dressing is a must, in my opinion.
When you want to get together:Baked BBQ Turkey BurgersScalable, summer flavored and absolutely delicious. And you don't have to worry about them sticking to the grill or catching on fire because they're baked in the oven.
Cucumber Caprese SaladSo fresh and delicious. I could probably make this at home, though slicing cucumbers with a plastic knife is not easy and I would prefer to have my actual knives back, please and thank you.
Snickerdoodle BarsI have desperately missed baking in my kitchen, and any kind of bar recipe is great to share with friends. This one is particularly special because it has the flavor of a classic snickerdoodle without requiring a chill or individually rolling singular cookies in the cinnamon sugar. The cinnamon sugar just goes straight on top of the bars and bakes up in no time flat.
Planning ahead:Peach Ricotta CrostiniIt's peach season, and this recipe is an all-time favorite. Throw the peaches on the grill, and you've got some serious magic that is great for an appetizer... or for dinner... or for sharing... or for whenever.
Ooey Gooey BarsThis recipe is perfect for any summertime gathering. It's easy to make and easy to enjoy. Also, there are never leftovers.
Some things I'm loving right now:This section of the email contains affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.
I hope your July is absolutely amazing and that whatever is on your plate this month (literally or figuratively), I hope that one of these recipes makes it better And if you ever need help finding the right one, just hit reply. I'm always happy to help. Bye y’all! P.S. Don't forget you can click "Update your profile" at the bottom of any email from me to update your email preferences. I have several newsletters that I send throughout the week, including one that tells you about all the newest recipes on the blog! However, I never want to email you more than you like'd, so make sure your profile is up to date! |
The Speckled Palate: Real Life Recipes for the Moments that Matter
Get my feel-good, comfort recipes for real life and the special moments that matter, all inspired by the things I learned growing up in the Southern U.S.