Summer - quick and easy recipes - page 4

Indian spiced tea—masala chai—has a lovely delicacy and a fortifying strength. We harnessed both qualities for these refreshing milkshakes that should help you get through the muggiest summer afternoon. Chai tea bags are handy, but we suggest making your own sachet, using cheesecloth and a good-quality masala chai, a blend of loose-leaf black tea with whole spices such as cardamom pods, cloves, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon, and dried ginger.

We took the basic elements of a s’more and added ice cream—in this case, strawberry ice cream, for acidity, flavor, and an irresistible pinkness. It’s an indulgent tower of broken-up graham crackers, scoops of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, marshmallow topping, almonds, fresh strawberries, and a charred marshmallow topknot. For a berry-free version, check out these Easy Chocolate S’mores Sundaes.

Gooey enough to satisfy kids, architectural enough to appeal to adults, this ice-cream-sundae take on classic campfire s’mores is literally over-the-top. Broken-up graham crackers, scoops of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, marshmallow topping, almonds, and a charred marshmallow add up to a tower of indulgence. For a fruity variation on the s’mores sundae theme, check out our Strawberry S’mores Sundaes.

You hear pizza, you think cheese that flows like roof tar; pepperoni slices cupping in the oven, filling with grease; and a crust so overladen with toppings it droops like sorrow when you try to lift a slice. It is both elegant and summery, full of flavor from good-quality cheeses and produce—so flavorful, in fact, that you won’t even notice it’s vegetarian.

Add a strip of bacon to your s’more to kick it up a notch and make your fellow campers jealous. Other variations include using dark chocolate instead of milk, sprinkling toasted coconut, sea salt … the possibilities are endless for these campfire treats.

The G and T has become the dominant warm-weather gin cocktail, maybe because it’s one of the simplest: just gin, tonic water, and an aromatic boost from a lime wedge. Variations on the gin and tonic include taking it Barcelona style. And if you want to try making your own spiced tonic water, go for it.

Make this great desert with fresh peaches! So easy and so delicious.

What's a better summer dessert than old-fashioned peach cobbler? This easy recipe will help you prepare it for all your friends and family.

This easy recipe teaches how to make the best homemade Gazpacho, a traditional Andalusian summer soup. Don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make the best homemade rolled ice cream. Don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make the best homemade fresh green bean salad. It's healthy and tasty, don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make homemade authentic Italian Panzanella, one of the best summer salads. Don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make the best homemade pink lemonade, the perfect summer beverage. Don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make homemade Pimm's original, a refreshing party drink. Don't miss it!

This easy recipe teaches how to make the best homemade sangria, a typical Spanish drink. Don't miss it!