Summer is the scent of sunblock and the taste of soft serve and dinner at dusk. It is hot dogs with ketchup and corn gnawed off the cob. It is salty and sweet, and it is finally here.
Some people love winter cooking and baking, the woolen hygge of it all, but to me this is the best time of year to cook and eat, for the simple fact that the cooking itself is so gloriously easy. Boil the corn and slather it in butter; slice the tomato and season it well. Summer is also an ideal time to explore the sacred pairing of great produce and carbs: cucumbers and cold rice noodles, peaches and toast, tomatoes and pasta. (You will see a lot of great produce and carbs in the months ahead.)
One thing before we get to recipes: Did you see Yewande Komolafe’s 10 Essential Nigerian Recipes? Her introduction is a beautiful piece of writing, and the dishes are fiery and bright and will make you hungry. Have thoughts for me? I’m dearemily@nytimes.com.
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Here are five recipes for the week:
CreditJulia Gartland for The New York Times
1. Crispy Rice With Bacon, Shrimp and Corn
This dish remixes a few beloved flavor combinations: The shrimp and corn recall shrimp and grits, while the fresh tomato and bacon are like a BLT in a bowl. You could toss in arugula to add something green, and you’ll almost certainly want to jazz it up with pickled jalapeños or hot sauce, and a squeeze of lime. Note that you need to start with precooked rice.
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2. Grilled Sesame Lime Chicken Breasts
This recipe is designed to combat chicken-breast-dryness — the breasts are charred quickly on the fire, so the insides stay juicy — while a soy and fish sauce marinade delivers pretty outrageous flavor. This one requires an hour of marinating but is lightning fast to cook. Serve with rice (leftovers can be used for the crispy rice above) and a cucumber salad.
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3. Pasta Salad With Summer Tomatoes, Basil and Olive Oil
What I want to eat all summer long: pasta tossed with tomatoes that are left to marinate and slump into even more delectable juiciness. This could be dinner, or the chicest pasta salad at the barbecue. Up to you. Just build it in time to let everything sit: I am giving this to you during a holiday week on purpose.
