When Gourmet closed in 2009, a stack of unpublished menus, recipes, and articles was left behind—including this collection of summer recipes so casual and easy you can make them while you're still in the water (almost).
Tomato course #1
If your peak-summer meals don't have at least two tomato courses, you're doing something wrong. Here, cherry tomatoes are cooked with garlic, piquillo peppers, and goat cheese until everything is soft enough to spread on toast.
Sweet, spiced grilled chicken
Apricot jam forms the base of the glaze for this barbecued chicken, but don't worry—unsweetened pomegranate juice and a quartet of spices evens out the sweetness.
Tomato course #2
For your second dose of tomatoes, things are kept raw—wedged heirloom tomatoes are simply tossed with lemon juice and lots of herbs.
Simple sides
Romano beans tossed in vinaigrette, corn slathered with basil butter...if you're too comfortable in the sun, your 9-year-old nephew can probably handle these.
A slightly Southern sweet
Call it Kentucky Baklava. Or, um, actually, don't. Just call it baklava. But know that with a hefty dose of bourbon and all those pecans, this Middle Eastern sweet may transport you to the American South.
