It is definitively summer. I hear in some parts of the country it’s hot or something? I often find that when the days get longer and warmer, my creativity in the kitchen gets proportionally smaller. This is the time of year when I rely on those tried-and-true, quick and easy recipes that I don’t even have to think about. It’s when I do things like open jars of spaghetti sauce, or put some fish on the grill and call it a day.

These are some of the recipes I rely on in the summertime. Most of these aren’t even recipes, they are just vague suggestions of some things you could do with food and then feed to people and call it dinner. Works for me.

Fish tacos are becoming a serious staple. I have a recipe that I’ve been using, more or less, since college. I don’t think I ever make these exactly the same, though. The tacos you see above were made with petrale sole. I sauteed the fish in some butter and olive oil with onion, jalapeno, garlic, and some chopped tomatoes. I shredded cabbage and dressed it lightly with lime juice, oil, and salt. I think there was some salsa in there.

Tacos in general are pretty great for summer. You can put anything in a tortilla and it will be delicious. I made these super simple veggie tacos the other night, and we were happy.

Just saute your favorite veggies (I used squash, peppers, and chard) with some cumin and chili powder. Tuck that into a warmed tortilla and top it with some guacamole, and if you’re feeling fancy, some chipotle crema. Which is fancy talk for sour cream blended with chipotle until it’s smooth. And dinner is ready.

But I get it. A lady cannot live on tacos alone. This is where pasta enters the picture. You can saute any vegetables and mix them with some pasta, and people will be happy. But I do have some favorites.

This is Chicken Piccata Pasta. It’s your new best friend.

If you’re looking for a slightly different spin, this Chicken Pasta Provencal is pretty special.

I loved this Spicy Spaghetti with Fennel.

Want your pasta to be cold? This Tortellini and Avocado Salad is ah-ah-ah-mazing. Run, don’t walk, into your kitchen and make this now. You will want to eat it all the time. At least, I do. I’ve made a few different variations on the theme and it is always satisfying and wonderful.

Maybe you’re over pasta. We can all overdo it on that starchy staple from time to time. Grain salads seem to be quite the thing these days.

I loved this Wild Rice Salad with Peppers and Carrots. So much color and flavor and awesomeness in one bowl.

Did you know that broccoli and dill are a great couple? Practically made for each other. This Broccoli and Dill Wild Rice salad brings them together, the way things were meant to be.

And you know what? In the summer, you totally have permission to pick up some ribs or a roasted chicken from the market and save yourself some work. We warmed these ribs in the oven, and I mixed up a quick batch of potato salad. It was a memorable, messy, and, bonus, super easy summertime dinner.

What is your favorite summer dinner?