Clean-out-the-larder minestrone.

I call this ‘clean-out-the-larder’ minestrone, because you can make it with whatever leftover or not-enough-for-a-meal vegetables, fresh or frozen, that you have on hand. Dump everything in a pot, simmer, and voila! Soup! Get the recipe (plus 2 secrets for excellent soup).

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late summer cheddar and tomato gratin | writes4food.com

Tomato-cheddar gratin.

Tomatoes are still in season. Get yourself 3 nice, ripe ones, a pile of cheddar cheese and some cracker crumbs. Boom! The best tomato dish you’ll have all year, no doubt. It’s an oldie but goodie. Get the recipe.

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Celebrate fall, food, Cincinnati.

No, really. I’m totally OK with the onset of fall. I’ve bid adieu to 80°, to summer corn, to shorts and Ts. Yep, fine. Fortunately the Fall Food Fest at Findlay Market will help me make the transition. Get the scoop!

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recipe for summer corn and tomato pie

Sharing a summer favorite: tomato and corn pie.

We’ll still enjoy red, ripe tomatoes for several weeks yet, but summer corn is on its way out at farmers’ markets around here. So make this summer favorite tomato and corn pie in a no-roll cornmeal crust — while you still can! Get the recipe.

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fresh tomato salad with goat cheese and warm bacon dressing recipe | writes4food.com

BGT salad: bacon, goat cheese and tomato.

Here’s a new take on the ubiquitous summer tomato salad with … wait for it … BACON. Even better: a warm dressing of bacon drippings (let’s call it what it is, people: bacon FAT) and balsamic vinegar that softens the tomatoes and releases their juices. Oh, and goat cheese. Yep. You want this. Get the recipe!

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Classic tomato sauce for canning or freezing.

At an organic food conference last spring, I heard about a new-to-me process for making homemade tomato sauce using ripe summer tomatoes. It’s a wonder! This three-part recipe for tomato sauce is super efficient — and delicious! Get the recipe!

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tomato salad dressing made in the sunshine | writes4food.com

Fresh tomato salad dressing.

As if summer tomatoes aren’t sun-kissed enough: This easy tomato salad dressing is doubly so. Mix chopped tomatoes, herbs and other good stuff in a tall jar, pop on the lid and set it in the sun for a couple of hours. This dressing is super easy and versatile, too! Get the recipe!

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18 best recipes to make this summer.

We’re in that glorious transitional time between summer and fall, when warm days mix with cool nights, when farm-fresh produce is still abundant (though we know it’s fleeting). Here are 18 must-make recipes for summer corn, tomatoes + more. Get the recipes!

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baked corn and ricotta dip for tortilla chips | writes4food.com

Creamy baked sweet corn dip.

Got corn? Sure you do! Which means you’ll want to make up a big batch of baked sweet corn and ricotta dip and grab a bag of restaurant-style corn tortilla chips. Get the recipe!

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