Hey, Reader, it’s Erin.

Listen, y'all. It's hot outside and I don't think it matters where you live.

The last thing I want to do is turn on the oven or the stovetop. (And, ahaha, I actually can't do either currently.)

Between our renovation and the fact that it's still very much the summertime, my strategy for cooking this summer is simple: keep the heat outside.

Here are some recipes that are saving my sanity this month...

Keep the heat outside:

Grilled Beef Burgers

This is a new recipe on my site, though we have been making these for years. You can't beat a classic burger and it is the perfect summer time easy meal to make and serve for the whole family.

Skirt Steak Tacos

Marinated and grilled skirt steak is hard to beat and when put on tacos and dressed with your favorite toppings, this is an elite dinner.

Grilled Peach Salad with Burrata

We made this salad for July 4th, and there was nothing left when everyone had made their plates. Peaches and burrata are such an elite combination and when you grill the peaches, their natural sugars char up beautifully and create even more depth for this simple yet satisfying side.

Charred Corn Salsa

Is it an app? A side? Whatever you serve this recipe as, it's awesome and calls for sweet seasonal produce. Plus, it comes together quickly, especially when you've already got the grill going.

No Cooking Required:

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

This is one of my all-time favorite lunches, and it is so easy to make on a weekend. Shred your rotisserie chicken and immediately chop it and combine it with the rest of the ingredients. Give them a good stir and store in your favorite containers in the refrigerator to enjoy all week long on sandwiches, salads and more. This also comes in clutch as a super easy dinner, too.

Blueberry Pecan Feta Salad with Chicken

This is another one that relies on rotisserie chicken. and I cannot recommend it enough. What's not to love about seasonal ingredients being tossed together with rotisserie chicken and served cold with a homemade blueberry vinaigrette that could not be easier to make at home?

Summer Snack Sandwiches

We started making these when my girls were little, but they are something that we still make to this day. Serve it for lunch or make it as an afternoon snack. It's fantastic for both adults and kids.

Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Bright, fresh and simple to put together, this combination of ingredients is the perfect side for any type of gathering (or, honestly, any type of meal.)

Sweet and Savory Chicken Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing

This chicken salad recipe (another rotisserie salad one!) has some sweetness to pair with the savory elements. Sweet grapes, crunchy celery and a tangy dressing make a delicious flavor combination.

No bake treats... just because

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

If you're in the mood for something a sweet treat that doesn't require turning on the oven, this is the perfect compromise. These peanut butter bars strike that perfect balance between sweet and salty.

Watermelon Pizza

You might be wondering: what in the WORLD? And you, my friend, are in for a treat because watermelon pizza is a fun, fresh and colorful dessert. All you need are a handful of ingredients, and it's ready in 15 minutes.

No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pecans and Chocolate Chips

Listen. I know the name of this recipe is really long, but I promise you that the combination of flavors is perfect... so long as you love peanut butter. To me, this ice cream tastes a little bit like a Butterfinger, which was one of my favorite candy bars as a kid.

Strawberry Icebox Pie

This old fashioned pie tastes like summer! Layers of graham crackers, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream come together to make this vintage recipe spectacular.

Some tools you need to make these summer sippers:

• Quality grill tongs: It feels silly to tell you that I have a favorite pair of tongs... but I do. It's this one, and they are one of the few tools that I pulled from our kitchen boxes to ensure I had them for grilling all summer.
• Meat thermometer: This is one of the items that I did not pull from our kitchen boxes, and they are sadly stored away until our renovation is through. I'm real sad about it because an instant-read meat thermometer is the best way to know when your meat is cooked through to your liking (and a safe temperature to eat.) It doesn't have to be expensive to be helpful either. We have multiple ones from this brand.
• Food storage containers: I love using glass storage containers because they clean up easier and don't retain any smells. I really like the size and shape of this brand's 5-pack. We were gifted one of these (filled with cookies) a few years back, and I also love the look and feel of it.
• Salad spinner: I don't think that I was a salad spinner convert until I realized that I could spin more than just salad greens in it. Using this for fresh herbs is a game changer, and it actually helps everything stay crisp and happy in the fridge, too.

I hope that one or two of these recipes fit the bill for you this week, and I hope that you find them absolutely delicious!

If you ever need help finding the right one, just hit reply. I'm always happy to help.

Bye y’all!
Erin

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!

Howdy! I'm Erin. At The Speckled Palate, you'll find easy recipes and drinks that call for simple, fresh ingredients that hopefully inspire you to invite your people into your home for super low-key gatherings. Buy me a cup of coffee. take me to the blog

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