With a long holiday weekend ahead, I’m envisioning barbecues with friends and leisurely meals at home. Between trips to the pool and new books, I plan to spend some time in my kitchen whipping together easy, seasonal meals. Here are a few of my go-to recipes for the hot days of summer.

1. Quick Zucchini Saute 
2. Mango Slaw with Cashews & Mint
3. Blueberry Crumb Bars
4. Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
5. Asian Coleslaw
6. Guacamole
7. Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic Oregano Vinaigrette
8. Summer Fruit with Wine & Mint
9. Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Glaze
10. Cheeseburgers (I use Rachael Ray’s method, described below.)

Cheeseburgers

Serves 4

1 lb. ground beef

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. Montreal seasoning

Extra virgin olive oil

Smoked gouda or sharp cheddar from the deli counter

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

In a bowl, combine the hamburger with the Worcestershire sauce and Montreal steak seasoning.  Mix together with clean hands. Score the meat, creating four equal sections. Take each section and shape into a patty. Leaving an indentation in the middle. This will help the burger cook evenly. After you’ve made four patties, rub them with olive oil. Place them on the grill waiting to turn until one side is brown. Do not flip them continuously. When they’re almost ready, add a slice of cheese to the top of each burger, letting it melt. Pull of the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before adding your favorite burger toppings.