Last week I blabbed openly about how leisurely we spent our weekends.

This weekend, not so much. It was most definitely a project weekend, where from the moment we woke up until my feet demanded I sit down and drink a margarita, we were out in our backyard building posts and planters, and stringing up lights over our porch.

There is still a ton of work to do—like painting the planters the color of the fence and actually planting things like herbs and flowers in them, but the most laborious part is done. And it means we finally have lights! Which means more dinners and evenings in the backyard, enjoying the best time of the year. 

But now onto what you came here for, dinner:

Beets

• Rainbow Beet Terrine with Goat Cheese
• Warm Beet and Orzo Salad
• Roasted Beet, Carrot, and Blue Cheese Salad

Basil

• Sicilian Pistachio Pesto Pasta
• Grilled Polenta Salad with Burrata
• Grilled Cauliflower Steaks Smothered in Pesto

Zucchini/Summer Squash

• Classic Ratatouille
• Zucchini Fritters
• Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini with Za’atar Vinaigrette

Napa Cabbage

• Spring Roll Salad | 101 Cookbooks
• Cabbage Ginger Noodles | Naturally Ella
• Napa Cabbage Salad with Buttermilk Dressing | Smitten Kitchen

Cucumbers

• Heirloom Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Cucumbers
• Quinoa, Bell Pepper, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad
• Villager Salad

Scallions

• Green Vegetable Rice Noodle Bowl
• Asian-Flavored Gazpacho
• Black & White Bean Salad with Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella

New Potatoes

• Cod and Potatoes with Romesco Sauce
• Paprika-Spice Roasted Potato Salad
• Paprika and Thyme Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

Broccoli

• Chinese Tofu Chop Salad with Sesame Orange Miso Dressing | Faring Well
• Broccoli Stems with Garlic and Anchovies | Food52
• Creamy Roasted Broccoli Soup with Buttermilk and Spiced Pepitas | Serious Eats

Green Peppers

• Pisto Manchego
• Cuban Black Beans and Rice | All Food Considered
• Creole Chicken with Mushroom Dirty Rice | Food52