Summer

Once you get hooked on fresh chiles, you'll want to pack them into everything you cook—including your antipasto.

Progression of a tomato sandwich: On buttered bread with salt; on bread with mayo and cheddar; seasoned and grilled with cheddar and mayo. They’re all pretty perfect, but we’ll take the advanced version, thanks.

Chop these Calabrian-style chiles into pasta sauce or sprinkle onto pizza.

Budino is what Italians ask for when they want pudding. Sub in any stone fruit for the plums.

This thin red sauce gets its name since you can frequently brush or "mop" it onto a variety of foods for an extra kick of spice.

One in ten Padróns or shishitos is actually spicy. Pepper roulette!

A cool green zingy soup; pack it in a thermos on ice and take it picnicking or to the beach.

Splash liberally on fried eggs, toss with grilled veg, or spread on a sub.

Mussels steam in the same saucepan as chili-and-fennel-spiced tomato sauce in this effortless supper.

Use any stone fruit you like, alone or in a combination.

If topping a fried fish sandwich with lobster mayo sounds decadent…well, it is.

There’s no law that says watermelon salads must incorporate feta. This renegade combination is at once sweet, tart, and savory—the kind of dish that’s as comfortable at the breakfast table as it is at a potluck.

Chiles and pineapple? Believe it or not, this sweet/spicy mix is insanely refreshing in drink form.

This bean salad is taken to new, luxurious levels with the addition of eggs, anchovies, and your favorite summer squash.

This graham cracker crumble takes peaches and cream to another dimension.

Slice these and mix with cured meats for a fresher take on antipasto salad.

Lining the toasted, buttered bun with lettuce might seem controversial, but it provides both crunch and a waterproof barrier that keeps the bread from sogging out.

Spare your friends and yourself the fuss of bartending your own party. Do this instead.

Got mealy, lackluster tomatoes? Turns out you’re in luck.

It doesn't get more American than this.

Forget roasting—these techniques for brining, curing, smoking, and more will change everything you know about cooking veg.

No summer meal is complete without one of these flavor-packed condiments.

This smashed cucumber salad is easy, spicy, and perfect for summer.

How do you make the most of peak-season produce? If you're market regular Brooks Headley, sometimes you don't.