The Dorothy Project: Spanish rice pilaf with zucchini and tomatoes.

As I’ve been browsing through my grandmother Dorothy’s “Kitchen Klips” recipe file, I’ve smiled as I discovered recipes that are very familiar to me. That’s because I sent them to her. Back in the 90s, Grandma published a cookbook, and she included many recipes from family and friends in addition to her own favorites. I sent her this recipe for Spanish Rice Pilaf with Zucchini and Tomatoes — it didn’t make the cut for her book, but Rob and I make it all. the. time. It’s the perfect summer-to-fall transitional dish. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

‘Lost and found’ zucchini casserole.

When you’re going through a collection of vintage recipes, it’s fun to imagine what prompted the person who assembled the collection to include a particular recipe. This recipe for a simple, one-bowl zucchini casserole just seems so much like my grandmother: it’s good, and not at all fussy. Here’s the next installment in The Dorothy Project: Lost and Found Zucchini Casserole, which she clipped from Gourmet magazine in the 1980s. Get the recipe on writes4food.com.

Quite possibly the best summer gazpacho.

I’m sort of a junkie for gazpacho — that most refreshing (and no cook!) of summer soups. This Quick Blender Gazpacho recipe is my go-to for the season: bright, flavorful, perfect for lunch on a hot day.

Sheet pan vegetable soup.

Around here, we love sheet pan suppers: Pile everything onto a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast until it’s all tender and browned. Dinner — and cleanup — done! For the win! This Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetable Soup uses the same technique as a starting point. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

Broken noodle bowl with broccoli peanut pesto.

It’s always fun when I make up a recipe from scratch and idea translates from my head to the plate more deliciously than I imagined. Like this recipe for Broken Noodles with Broccoli-Peanut Pesto. Because I’m craving healthy lunches right now, I stocked up on crisp veggies and grabbed some soba noodles and threw together this lunch-able noodle bowl. And I LOVED it!!! Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

All-vegetable ‘Bolognese’ pasta sauce.

This vegetable-centric Bolognese pasta sauce is just what I’m craving right now: full of seasonal vegetables (mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, butternut squash), yet not too heavy. It’s just right for fall. Make a big batch this weekend, and stash leftovers in the freezer for frosty winter dinners. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

Low-fat red pepper hummus.

In this lower-fat hummus recipe, I’ve added nonfat Greek yogurt to add tang and smooth texture. In place of tahini, I’ve used a splash of toasted sesame oil—so you get all that bold sesame flavor with less fat. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

Heirloom bean and tomato panzanella salad.

Will you just look at this gorgeous plate of summer goodness? Heirloom tomatoes, beans, hunks of toasted bread, fresh herbs — I mean, c’mon, does it get better than this? You’ll want this recipe for Heirloom Tomato and Bean Panzanella Salad, trust me. Get it on writes4food.com!

Sweet-spicy red bell pepper jam.

What to do with the crop of red bell peppers from the garden or farmers’ market? Make jam, of course! Sweet and a bit spicy (you can up the spice level to suit your taste), this is the perfect accompaniment to a salty cheese like Manchego. Inspired by a dish we had on vacation earlier this year. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!

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recipes and wisdom from a Midwestern kitchen

Category: Peppers