50 Things You Need To Cook Between Now And Labor Day

August is here bringing with it the best of summer: we have corn, tomatoes, zucchini and eggplants; for fruit we are blessed with blueberries, and peaches, and plums. Plus, seafood fans get excited: we have just entered Alaskan salmon fishing season.

These recipes will keep you well, and seasonally, fed with summery salads and soups; grilled fish, vegetables, burgers, and steaks; chilly desserts; and more. This collection honors the summer season and seeks to showcase the deliciousness of ripe flavors at their peak of production. Many of the follow recipes even have minimalist ingredient lists, letting the true nature of the main element shine true.

There are only 49 days left of official summer, and only 32 until Labor Day. So eat cook up, eat up, and keep on enjoying summertime. 

Simple-to-make panzanella includes grape, heirloom, and sun-dried tomatoes and is topped with fresh basil and a light cracker crunch.  It's perfect as a side or appetizer. Find the recipe here.

Swing by your local farmers market to find heirloom varieties of yellow tomatoes. The tomatoes are lightly roasted so that they easily shed their skins, then blended with onions and peppers and cucumber for a vibrant summertime soup. Click through for the recipe.

La Marina's executive chef Kelvin Fernandez created this nice and summery lobster flatbread. It's a great starter, especially if you're hosting an alfresco dinner party. Click through for the recipe.

This seasonal dish completely encompasses summer's zesty and bold flavors: juicy watermelon, Greek feta, avocado, red onion, all tossed in mint vinaigrette. Get the recipe here.

Panzanella salad comes from the Italian region of Tuscany and makes use of that old, stale bread. Calling all crouton-lovers: This salad was made for you. Find the recipe here.

This is the absolute perfect time of year for this salad. Choose several different kinds of ripe tomatoes to create the prettiest summer salad. Taste and adjust the vinegar, salt, and pepper amounts to best highlight your unique tomatoes. Find the recipe here.

Sweet pears are a great addition to savory dishs, like this soup. Be sure to use summer's sweet corn and fresh pears in this recipe here to take full advantage of the best of the season. Find the recipe here.

This recipe wants you to taste the true amazing flavors of these vegetables at their peak. All the corn and zucchini need are a light sauté and a touch of salt and herbs.

Find the recipe here.

Tomatoes should be served at room temperature, and this icy vinaigrette is a cool and refreshing way to add textural contrast. Click through for the recipe.

Tangy goat cheese contrasts summer's best strawberries and peak-season peaches over a crisp bed of greens. Get the recipe here.

Ribbons of raw summer squash are tossed with toasted pine nuts, salty feta, and a zingy citronette: warm weather salad perfection. Click through for the recipe.

Citrus and fennel work together to pack a bright and refreshing crunch to this squid salad; and the basil adds just a touch of necessary sweetness to tie the whole dish together.  Check out the recipe here.

This recipe makes the smoothest, sweetest, simplest chilled corn soup. Click through for the recipe.

Delicate homemade puff pastry bakes around light ricotta and summer's finest tomatoes. Find the recipe here.

This fresh summer salad is the best way to use up all that beautiful corn. Check out the recipe here.

The combination of these flavors will make you smile in delight as sweet grilled peach juice drizzles down your chin. This meal is ready in 20 minutes and can be made entirely on the grill. Check out the recipe here.

This delicious lemony salmon recipe paired with fresh summer corn and avocado is a quick way to get delicious meal on the table quickly. The salmon marinates for 30 minutes but only takes 4–6 minutes to cook in the broiler. What could be easier than that? Check it out here.

Keep your cool on a hot summer day by chopping up fresh cucumbers and dill to make your own tzatziki yogurt sauce. Find this recipe here.

These healthy turkey burgers are anything but boring. Topped with sliced red onion, ribbons of crisp cucumber, and fresh cilantro, this tasty turkey burger recipe is sure to be a hit at any cookout.

Find this simple recipe for Turkey Burgers here.

This butcher burger gets its name from the decadent short rib meat used to create the patty. Extra steps need to be taken to create the caramelized onions and pepper crusted bacon, but it's worth it. Click through for the recipe.

Smoke is the key ingredient in this recipe. Add a pile of applewood chips to your grill to infuse the meat with a thick, sweet-and-smoky flavor. Find the recipe here.

You can't enjoy summer without fish tacos. These delicious and authentic crispy fish tacos will take you to the streets of Mexico right in your very own kitchen. Click through for the recipe.

Okra is in season this August, so use it up in this Indian-inspired fried okra recipe. It's seasoned with a blend of pungent spices and then gets dipped into a cool, cucumber raita. Check it out here.

This brick chicken recipe gets its finger-lickin' flavor and caramelization from the addition of dark beer in the marinade. Get the recipe here.

Thin-cut, bone-in, lean pork rib chops cook in minutes and offer a hearty, meaty richness that can be extra satisfying. Oregano, thyme, and paprika season the chops, and the fond (browned bits) left in the pan later flavor the zucchini as it sautés. Check out the Greek Pork Chops With Zucchini and Feta recipe here.

Eggplants and tomatoes are in season, so grill them up and serve with mozzarella for an impressive dish. Find it here.

Vegetarian burgers don't need to be dry and dull: Fill your burger bun with grilled eggplant and halloumi for a healthier, tasty summer barbecue option. Click here for the recipe.

The hearty squash really takes on the chimichurri flavors, making this the perfect summer grilling dish. Check out the recipe.

Never grilled potatoes before? Now is your chance! The warm potatoes absorb the juice from the tomatoes, melt the blue cheese, and bring out the flavor of the basil. Check it out here.

A quick and easy summertime salad like this one is ideal for every sunny evening. For the Grilled Salmon and Avocado Salad recipe, click here.

If you're already outdoors and grilling up some steaks, why not slice them up and eat them in a tortilla with lots of fresh and delicious toppings? Shredded cabbage and thinly sliced radishes add amazing crunch to soft shell tacos; plus pickled red onions and a squeeze of fresh lime juice add a bright, tart flavor to the meat. Get the recipe here.

Halibut steaks are marinated in watermelon-raspberry vinaigrette, quickly grilled, and then topped with refreshingly tart watermelon salsa. Don't be fooled: This fresh and exciting entrée is ready to serve in minutes. Get the recipe here.

Enjoy this easy and delicious maple pulled pork with flavorful spices enhanced by the subtle sweetness of maple syrup. Serve it will a crunchy and zesty slaw to balance out the fat and sweetness. Check out the Maple Pulled Pork recipe here.

After a long day playing in the sun, you'll want to be able to eat something filling, nutritious and, of course, easy. Find the recipe here.

Salmon is in season in August, so enjoy it grilled on a flavorful wooden plank and topped with a light and refreshing fruit salsa. This salsa is made with mango, watermelon, serrano peppers, and fresh mint. Find the recipe here.

The pulled pork in this recipe gets all its flavor from a combination of orange juice and coffee in the marinade, then this strange combo cooks down into a sticky, finger-licking-good sauce. The mango, fennel, and celery root brighten the dish adding crunch and contrasting flavors.  Check out Pull Pork Sandwiches With Mango Salsa recipe here.

The tart, sweet hints of black cherry lemonade cuts through the smoky richness of this funky, Sonoran-style hot dog. Get the recipe here.

Kansas City Chiefs fans call this the "awesome" burger because, well, it pretty much is. An onion cream spread and fried onions put this cheeseburger in a league of its own. Get this ballpark burger recipe here.

Impress any guest by grilling up a whole chicken — trussing optional. The bird will gain an attractive char and wow all with its crispy skin. Check out the recipe here.

For a twist on both the classic hot dog and lobster roll, try this grilled tuna roll recipe. Grilled tuna and tangy vinaigrette all wrapped up in a toasty hot dog bun makes for an excellent summer night meal. Get the recipe here.

Every great chef knows that you don't need a lot of ingredients to make a dish great. Pitmaster Clint Cantwell uses a crazy simple spice rub in this recipe for easy-to-make beef ribs. Find the recipe here.

Juicy blackberries, fluffy cream, and tender shortcakes collide in this cornmeal and lime-flecked twist on a summer classic. Get the Blackberry-Lime Shortcakes recipe here.

Get all the flavors from a baked dessert straight out of your freezer. In this recipe, granola and macerated blueberries are alternatingly layered with fresh vanilla ice cream, creating gorgeous swirls of summer goodness. Check out the recipe here.

Ripe summer peaches and floral honey are mixed with yogurt to make creamy, summery ice pops. Find the recipe here.

The corn in this sweet and savory ice cream adds natural sweetness (and a beautiful golden color) while the fresh thyme leaves lend a subtle savory note. Click through for the recipe.

This recipe is a delicious way to reap the antioxidant benefits that come from blueberries. It is a luscious dessert that you can enjoy without the guilt. Check it out here.

The mint is subtle in this icy treat — you'll taste it after the cold, refreshing citrus crystals have melted on your tongue. Try it for yourself here.

Mouths tend to drool whenever pies are mentioned, but better yet, these pies are grilled! Once prepared, you can cook these hand pies straight on your grill just until the dough turns a crispy, golden brown. Click here to check out the recipe.

In a blender combine the wine and frozen peaches, and purée until smooth. Garnish with fresh peach slices for an adults-only refresher. Find the recipe here.

Make this rich custard pie this summer when fresh, plump blueberries are at their best. Change up the flavor by adding a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a teaspoon of lemon zest.

For the Blueberry Sour Cream Pie recipe, click here.