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This time of the year, dinner can be as easy as grabbing a pile of fresh herbs, blending them with a couple of pantry items on hand, and tossing it with freshly-cooked noodles. Green can be so easy in the midst of the harvest!

As the warm weather of summer gives way to the cool kiss of fall, we're lucky enough to have a generous harvest offering to fill our dinner tables. Take advantage of the weather and the bounty and put together an inspired pot of soup.

Versatile and quick, you can put together this meal in a bowl in about the same time it takes a rice cooker to get your rice ready. A perfect mid-week dinner that will have you loving the combination of ingredients you get to explore.

When gardens and farm stands everywhere are putting fresh produce before you, it's time to enjoy it splendidly. Do just that with some delightful fritters brimming with tender sweet corn and spicy peppers.

For a quick lunch or dinner, I often find myself turning to potatoes. After baking a potato, it becomes the backdrop for my culinary creativity and cravings. Open the refrigerator and pantry and find your own version, too!

Spending just a little time figuring out how to blend flavors and textures can spell the end of boring salads in your home, whether they be simple side salads or glorious main dish adventures.

Have you ever enjoyed a loaded baked potato? Now it's time to apply the same concept to potato salad. The result? A creamy, rich potato salad that's brimming with crisp bacon, sharp cheese, crunchy onions, and tender potatoes.

It's time to enjoy the results of your recent fishing excursion. If you think fresh fish is overwhelming in the kitchen, give your family a wink and take it to the camp site instead!

Grab a pasta pot and be prepared to make a new friend. This one-pot dinner is packed with bacon, chicken, pasta, veggies, and a tangy barbecue sauce that will have you wondering why you're not making it more often.

Lest you think I'm suggesting that you clean the kitchen floor, let me hasten to add that mops are very thin, flavorful basting sauces used when grilling. Read on to get my favorite mopping sauce for chicken!

In about as much time as it takes to boil some noodles, you can have a sweet and spicy vegetable lo mein on the table. Make it a one bowl meal or add some simple sides to make it a no fuss gathering for friends.

If you've ever had Mexican hot chocolate, you know how wonderfully cinnamon and hot pepper blend with chocolate. Now it's time to reunite them all in a decadent ice cream that doesn't require any cooking or special equipment.

If you've found yourself wondering whether you ordered cheesecake or vanilla ice cream when at the ice cream shop or scooping it out of a carton from the store, it's time to make your own. It's an easy, no cook method that won't have you wondering anymore!

Time to jump on the bacon bandwagon and leap the final hurdle. Time for bacon to star in its own creamy, decadent ice cream. And time to rejoice because you don't need eggs or an ice cream maker to make it yours!

Weekday leftovers inspire a spicy start to the day when zesty black beans get paired with flour tortillas, tomatoes, salsa, cilantro, chèvre, and eggs to help get you going on the weekend. Brunch will never be the same!

If you think pizza needs to wait until it's cool enough to fire up the oven again, think again! Pizza is a snap when you have a grill on hand. Get some simple ideas about how to make your very own grilled pizzas without roasting your home.

I love summer squash, so when there's an abundance of zucchini in my kitchen, it goes into everything from muffins to stir-fry. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it, though, is breaded and baked. Add a yummy dip and French fries can wait until zucchini season is over!

When left to my own devices, I'll incorporate stone fruit into most meals this time of the year. So when I find myself in the possession of a bunch of greens and a need for lunch, these normally sweet-centric fruits become the stars of a savory salad.

Summer is a great time for enjoying shrubs. No, not the little bushes in your front yard … a delightful range of drinking vinegars seasoned with summer's best fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Get started with one of my favorites: Blackberry-Sage!

Sometimes, my youngster and I are on our own for dinner. It's not often, but when we are, we opt for fun dishes that feature fresh foods and a lot of crunch. A perfect example are salads teeming with gourmet greens, crunchy coconut chicken, and drizzled with a spicy-sweet mustard dressing.

Let's face it: pie is amazing. However, it can be time consuming and fussy … unless you have a couple of secret ingredients and then it can be yours with about 10 minutes of time and effort on your part!

If you've tried to make sorbet at home before only to end up with a chunk of fruity ice, it's time to give it another go with one of summer's favorite flavors. Enjoy a smooth, silky helping of watermelon daiquiri sorbet and you'll find yourself leaning into summer!

Weekends are made for decadent breakfasts and brunches. All the better when enjoying them involves very little work. Get a great make-ahead recipe for baked French toast covered in sweet strawberries and tangy rhubarb and lean into the weekend.

A couple of days ago, I shared a recent smoking success involving a pork roast. Lest you think I've forgotten my tried and true smoked chicken, I'm now sharing a version that got a spicy-sweet brining before finding the coals.

When I set up my smoker, I'm almost always smoking a whole chicken. This time around, I did that … and I smoked a pork roast. Now I might have two things I need to smoke every time I fire up my smoker!

Being green is easy when you have a pile of fresh garden vegetables, pizza dough, and an oven. Oh, and some dreamy, creamy cheese to help make all of your dreams come true. Okay … that might be over-billing slightly, but you can bet on a delicious dinner!

Fruity, creamy cheesecake bars are a great way to enjoy the best of summer without opting for a giant slice of traditional cheesecake. What's more, you don't need any fancy pans to make them. Enjoy the blueberry variety that's showcased or create your own favorite!

Fish tacos are a great way to enjoy a laid back summer meal in the sun. Add a little zing to yours by choosing flavorful fish, a spicy breading, fun condiments, and slices of juicy watermelon alongside. You'll want summer to linger.

If you love spanakopita, but aren't looking to fuss with filo dough, try a simple tweak that marries the flavors of spanakopita with another culinary classic: quiche. The result is a great dish that can be ready in under an hour.

Summer is a great time for bringing a great host or hostess gift along to that stellar backyard BBQ or swanky garden cocktail party. But are you at a loss for ideas? Never fear, we're here to help you find a perfect gift for all kinds of food lovers.