Dinner

“A lighter, spicier version I could get down with on even the hottest of days.” —Alison Roman, senior associate food editor

The pasta will continue to absorb the broth as it sits, so use a small noodle like ditalini, stars, or alphabet shapes.

This white chili recipe works well with ground chicken or turkey, too.

Leftovers are the key to packing lunches easily—and this recipe is perfect for that. Plus it freezes well, too; if you freeze in small portioned containers, all you have to do is reheat and go.

Try pouring the soup directly over the sliced sandwich for an irresistible cheesy bread soup.

Make a big batch of this crunchy oven-fried chicken on Sunday for easy packing during the week. A little grated cheese in the breadcrumbs is a welcome addition.

“Coating sweet grilled corn with miso butter brings nutty flavor to a classic.” –Brad Leone, test kitchen manager

This seasoned salt is equally good on other cuts of meat, like chicken thighs or breasts or pork chops. Make a big batch and use it as you like.

The soup equivalent of dipping your bread into tomato sauce, this rustic dish is summer’s comfort food.

Hot weather and spicy foods just go together, but this speedy stovetop dish won’t heat up your kitchen.

The best blue cheese for this is salty but creamy, not too sharp or funky.

There’s something special about lobster you’ve prepared yourself, but if cooking one on a weeknight isn’t your speed, buy cooked lobster or shrimp instead.

Park 121 makes its own zucchini pickles for these messy (in a good way) sandwiches.

The flesh immediately surround-ing the seeds is the most succulent part of any melon; if you haven’t tried eating the crunchy seeds before, hold on to your hat.

Dress just before serving so that the fennel will still be crunchy and the melon retains its juices.

This dish is a bold mix of salty, sweet, and acidic components. Crunchy slabs of melon and sharp greens keep it fresh; meaty chops provide depth.

Cooked summer squash can be mushy. Solution: Eat it raw. If you can’t find buckwheat groats, use chopped toasted almonds instead.

Making tomato water sounds fancy, but all you’re doing is collecting the juices that weep from chopped ripe tomatoes. It’s delicious with simple seafood, or add a splash to any vinaigrette.

“Cool and bright, this herb-laced corn salad is my new summer staple.” –Alfia Muzio, recipe developer

A super-juicy watermelon is key; it should feel heavy for its size and sound hollow when tapped.

Yes, you can treat parsley as a salad green, as long as your bunch isn’t woody. Sweet molasses and tart sumac make it vibrant. As for the raw onions, massage them with salt and let them sit for half an hour so they’re not so astringent. Also, adds Ottolenghi, “so you don’t burb.”

With stretchy mozzarella inside and a coating of crunchy breadcrumbs, these squash blossoms get the creamy-crispy ratio just right.

You can also make this dish with littleneck or cherrystone clams instead of mussels.

Separate compartments are key to packing this lunch. Switch up the fixings to keep it fresh: Salsa, guac, and sour cream are all good options.