I have a new understanding of time now that I am a mom.  This week we did our normal park routine but stopped at this water feature that resembles the canyons surrounding our city.  This sweet spot is always bustling with kids, moms sitting nearby with snacks and towels or guiding their little ones around the tiny rivers. This time last year, Everett and I sat and dangled our feet in the cool water splashing and giggling.  This year, Everett rushes through the streams to find the deepest parts of the water, ending up fully soaked even though he was fully clothed.  I chase after him, making sure he doesn’t trip or get in too deep, then quickly realize that he is perfectly fine, enjoying the water confidently with all of the other kids.  He is a kid this summer.

This year, he’ll be eating corn off the cob all by himself, holding his own ice cream cone, and even mastering cherry pitting all by himself. And I get to observe all of it, the growth, independence, and exploration.  He’s already starting to have more of an opinion on just about everything including foods.  Summer fruits are definitely his jam.  We make smoothies as a treat almost daily and he always picks the berries off my salads leaving the greens for mommy.

During the summer we heighten our sense of awareness, whether we are aware of it or not.  We watch our kids grow, and savor every bright flavor of the season.  Today I’m leaving you with tons of recipes using all of the best produce available in July.  The produce guide above is one to save to your desktop computer as a reminder of what’s fresh this month.  The image at the bottom of the post is one made for a phone screensaver.  I hope you all get a beautiful taste of this new season!

Apricots

Apricot Blueberry Cobbler (pictured above)

Apricot Couscous Salad

Apricot Hazelnut Pie

Maple Vanilla Apricot Jam

Apricot Lavender Butter by Simple Bites

Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad by Kitchen Confidante

Fresh Apricot Coconut Muffins by Flavor the Moments

Arugula

Mushroom and Arugula Pasta Salad

Grilled Cheese with Arugula and Sun Dried Cherries

Arugula Salad with Blackberries and Chèvre by Cafe Johnsonia

Arugula Cashew Pesto with Polenta by Project Domestication

Berry Arugula Quinoa Salad by Floating Kitchen

Blueberries

Blueberry Bread (pictured above)

Blueberry Mint Gin Cocktail

My favorite Blueberry Muffins

Kale Salad with Blueberries and Lemon Ricotta

Blueberry Lemon Oat Smoothie by Climbing Grier Mountain

Roasted Beet and Blueberry Salad by Simple Bites

Broccoli

Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad

Roasted and Charred Broccoli with Pasta 

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Roasted Broccoli Stuffed Shells

Broccoli and Chicken Quinoa Casserole

Chard

Swiss Chard and Ricotta Cakes

Green Soup with Chard 

Pan Seared Chicken with Israeli Couscous and Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard with Pancetta, Corn and Cannelini Beans by Kitchen Confidante

Swiss Chard Cashew Dip by Project Domestication

Cherries

Cherry Salsa (pictured above)

Stone Fruit Burrata Salad

Fresh Cherry Kale Salad

Cherry Hazelnut Galette

Beet, Cherry, Berry Smoothie 

Cherry, Corn and Quinoa Salad by Floating Kitchen

Cherry Nutella Scones by Kitchen Confidante

Corn

Coconut Creamed Corn

Fresh Corn Cakes with Pulled Pork and Cherries

Chicken Corn Chowder

Sweet Potato Black Bean and Corn Salad

Farro Risotto with Squash and Corn

Bluberry Corn and Feta Salad

Cucumbers

Salmon with Apple, Cucumber and Avocado Salsa

Chinese Cucumber Salad

Tzatziki Chicken Salad (pictured above)

The Botanist Gin Cocktail with Cucumbers

Greek Pasta Salad

Cucumber and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Za’ahtar Dressing by Project Domestication

Quick Refrigerator Pickles by Mountain Mama Cooks

Fennel

Apple Fennel Salad

Spanish Carrots with Fennel and Hazelnuts

Orange Fennel Bundt Cakes

Panzanella Salad with Fennel, Grapefruit and Avocado

Green Beans

Roasted Pork Chops with Peaches and Green Beans (pictured above)

Curry Chicken with Green Beans

Green Beans with Feta and Pecans

Easy Green Bean Salad by Simple Bites

Pearled Barley Salad with Green Beans and Feta by Flavor the Moments

Green Garlic/Green Onion

Quinoa with Asparagus, Green Onion and a Fried Egg

Garlic Scape and Almond Pesto

Chicken Curry with Cashews, Cauliflower and Scallions

Quinoa with Asparagus and Scallions

Cauliflower Fried Rice with Scallions

Greens and Lettuces

One Pan Farro with Tomatoes Sausage and Kale

Kale Caesar Salad

Kale and Coconut Chicken Salad

Simple Greek Salad

Farm Salad with Goat Cheese Croutons

Herbs

Tzatziki Yogurt Chicken Salad with Fresh Herbs 

Blueberry Mint Gin Cocktail (pictured above)

Tomato Basil Chicken Quinoa

Cauliflower Couscous Greek Salad with Parsley, Mint, and Basil 

Thai Basil Pesto Pasta

Avocado and Basil Picnic Sandwiches

Peas or Pea Shoots

Summer Vegetables and Dumplings

Fresh Pea Carbonara

Spring Veggie and Goat Cheese Pasta

Cauliflower Fried Rice with Fresh Peas

Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds by Well Plated

Baked Spring Vegetable Risotto with Peas by Floating Kitchen

Strawberries

Strawberries and Cream Oat Bars

Strawberry Rhubarb Coconut Crisp

Strawberry Rhubarb Skillet Pie or Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Lemon Beignets with Strawberry Sauce

Strawberry Charlotte Cake Recipe

Baked Strawberry Rhubarb French Toast

Roasted Balsamic and Vanilla Strawberries

New Potatoes

Potato Leek Soup with Sorrel

Rosemary Breakfast Potatoes

Farmers Market Salad with Green Beans, New Potatoes and Goat Cheese Croutons

Roasted Potato Salad (pictured above)

Farm Stand One Pot Wonder with Potatoes and Green Beans by Bless This Mess

Grilled Fingerling Potato Salad by Flavor the Moments

Zucchini

Greek and Italian Zucchini Noodle Salads

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hazelnut Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Quinoa Primavera with Zucchini

Skillet Chicken and Zucchini Parmesan by Simple Bites

Baked Zucchini Sandwiches with Avocado Aioli by Floating Kitchen

Zucchini Oat Chocolate Chunk Muffins by Kitchen Confidante