Garden-Fresh Recipes - Cooking Light

Market Salad with Goat Cheese and Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe

Photo: Johnny Autry

Healthy Garden-Fresh Recipes

We asked our fans on Facebook, "What's growing in your kitchen garden this year?" and were inspired and delighted by all the delicious fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs you have growing in your own backyards. In honor of the summer kitchen garden, we've compiled a collection of recipes featuring the best that summer has to offer: tomatoes, assorted peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, lavender, basil, summer squashes, and much more.

First up is Market Salad with Goat Cheese and Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette. Fresh herbs make all the difference in this versatile dressing. Try it on any combination of greens and vegetables from your garden or local farmers' market.

View Recipe: Market Salad with Goat Cheese and Champagne-Shallot Vinaigrette

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Spicy Squash Pickles

These summer squashes offer meatier flavor and texture than traditional cucumber pickles. This recipe was given top marks by readers—and for good reason. You'll love the burst of fresh flavor that you receive with each bite.

View Recipe: Spicy Squash Pickles

Melanie's Garden-Tomato Soup

Fresh diced tomatoes and fresh herbs bring the garden to your table with this delicious tomato soup recipe. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil for an extra kick of freshness.

View Recipe: Melanie's Garden-Tomato Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

Summer Veggie Rice Bowl

Fresh tomatoes, zucchini, basil, and toasted pine nuts bring this rice salad to life. Serve it with 1 pound roasted fresh green beans.

View Recipe: Summer Veggie Rice Bowl

Photo: Johnny Autry

Caprese "Salsa" Zucchini with Sea Salt

Find all the fresh flavor of a Caprese salad with the addition of pan-grilled zucchini in this superfast side dish. For more tender zucchini, leave slices in the pan an extra 1 minute on each side. When the flesh starts to look translucent, the zucchini is done.

View Recipe: Caprese "Salsa" Zucchini with Sea Salt

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Garden Harvest Cake

Zucchini, carrot, and apples add moisture and flavor, eliminating the need for excess butter and oil. This simple cake-like bread only takes about 10 minutes to prepare the batter. Prep tip: Grate the apple, carrot, and zucchini using a handheld grater. A food processor releases more water, which will make the bread wet.

View Recipe: Garden Harvest Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor

Spicy Basil-Beef Salad

If regular Italian—or Genovese—basil is all you have growing in your garden, it'll work fine. However, it's worth searching out a few extra varieties, such as purple, Thai, or lemon basil. Using a mix of varieties improves the salad by adding visual interest and nuanced flavors. If you can't find hanger steak, substitute flank instead.

View Recipe: Spicy Basil-Beef Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Marinated Peppers and Mozzarella

Serve this stunning dish solo as a predinner nosh, or spoon over mixed lettuces for a fresh spin on salad. Reserve excess oil, and toss it with steamed brown rice or noodles.

View Recipe: Marinated Peppers and Mozzarella

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Herby Cucumber Salad

Creamy and tangy, this simple side comes together in a flash. Don't make the salad ahead—the cucumbers will release too much water.

View Recipe: Herby Cucumber Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Bulgur, Mint, and Parsley Salad

Light, herby, and vibrantly flavored, this salad makes a great appetizer salad or first course. Make up to two hours ahead so tastes can meld.

View Recipe: Bulgur, Mint, and Parsley Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mixed Bean-Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

A bright assemblage of flavors, textures, and colors, this salad can be made early in the day and refrigerated until ready to serve.

View Recipe: Mixed Bean-Cherry Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Photo: Randy Mayor

Roasted Eggplants with Herbs

A simple preparation yields irresistible results with roasted eggplant. Use very firm, small eggplants; if young and fresh enough, they won't be bitter.

View Recipe: Roasted Eggplants with Herbs

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Quick Pickled Dilly Green Beans

A fresh alternative to pickled cukes, these crisp, crunchy treats make a zesty summer snack, garnish for a Bloody Mary, or condiment in a sandwich or salad. They're easy to prepare and will keep up to a week in the refrigerator.

View Recipe: Quick Pickled Dilly Green Beans

Lavender Lemonade

Lavender adds a delightfully different dimension to this refreshing summer favorite. Garnishing with lavender stems makes for a pretty presenation.

View Recipe: Lavender Lemonade

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Smoky Tomato Salsa

Smoked tomatoes and jalapeño pepper make a world of difference in this salsa and blend beautifully with the garlic and lime. Garnish with a cilantro sprig, if desired.

View Recipe: Smoky Tomato Salsa

Photo: David Prince

Herb-Glazed Carrots

This is a delicious, versatile summer side dish for roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or steak. This recipe is full of garden-to-table freshness.

View Recipe: Herb-Glazed Carrots

Photo: Johnny Autry

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar is a nice foil for the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version. If making these poppers for a party, you can stuff the peppers, cover, and chill. Then grill just before your guests arrive.

View Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Spiced Marinated Tomatoes

Marinated tomatoes are a great choice for summer entertaining because you can marinate up to two days ahead. This spiced-up version features jalapeño pepper, ginger and cumin.

View Recipe: Spiced Marinated Tomatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Summer Squash Pizza

You can use all zucchini or yellow squash for this grilled pie—whatever you have on hand. Serve one slice as an appetizer or two with a salad for a simple supper.

View Recipe: Summer Squash Pizza

Photo: Joseph De Leo

Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa

Adding the inner veins and seeds from the poblano chile will increase the heat in this salsa. Serve with tortilla chips for a fresh summer appetizer.

View Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa

Frozen Mint Margaritas

Fresh mint adds a delicious, refreshing flavor to this drink that's hard to resist. For an appealing presentation, rub the rims of the margarita glasses with lime wedges and dip the rims in a half-and-half mixture of kosher salt and sugar. Serve with fresh lime wedges as a garnish, if desired.

View Recipe: Frozen Mint Margaritas