Taste of Home June/July 2023

If you ask me, everything—yes, everything—somehow tastes better when eaten outside. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m cooped up for months out of the year to shield myself from cold Wisconsin winters, but once the sun pops out, it’s patio season—picnic-table season, back-deck season and lunch-on-a-boat season too. That’s why I’m always wild about our June/July issue. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of summery delights you can enjoy outside, inside or wherever mealtime takes you! Of course, a cookout is classic, and the char-kissed recipes in “Greater on the Grill” (page 34) practically beg to be served at a backyard shindig. From breakfast to dessert, these dishes prove that anything is amazing when cooked on the grill top! Cakes are invited to the cookout as well, and the gorgeous sweets in…

No-Bake Beauties When the heat is on, we want the ovens off. But just because the temperature’s rising doesn’t mean you can’t whip up a sweet treat like banana crumb pudding, limoncello tiramisu or strawberry pretzel pie. No-bake desserts like these are made for sweltering days, and we’ve got loads more online for you to try. To find all our favorite sweets made without the heat, hover your camera here. Sunny-Day Sensations Relish every bite of summer with the Taste of Home American Summer Cookbook, our mouthwatering collection of 150+ seasonal recipes and tips that are ideal for any warm-weather meal, party or potluck. Order yours today for only $10 and free shipping! tasteofhomebooks.com/S2306 COMMUNITY COOK’S RECIPE REVIEW Tennessee Peach Pudding Erin Wright, Wallace, KS USERNAME: @erinshea1982 on tasteofhome.com “Amazing!…

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! [Throwback] Fit to a BLT Your favorite stack in a one-bite snack? Pretty please, with a cherry tomato on top! Fit to a BLT cont’d. The humble BLT sandwich is traditionally made with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and, despite its absence in the acronym, mayonnaise. It’s hard to imagine that the American restaurant workers of the mid-20th century who are thought to have nicknamed the beloved stack knew they were christening a now-ubiquitous flavor combination. To turn the BLT into a picnic-perfect, poppable snack, try these blissful bites that originally appeared in our August/September 1993 issue and have been a reader favorite ever since! BLT Bites Cut a thin slice off 20 cherry tomato tops. Scoop out and discard pulp. Invert tomatoes on a paper towel to drain.…

Adios, Allergies! Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain. This special protein helps fight inflammation—including the swelling in sinuses brought on by pollen and other allergens. Build Strong Bones Just 1 cup of this tropical fruit packs a serious punch of manganese—more than half the daily recommended amount. The trace mineral helps build strong bones and healthy cartilage. Impact Immunity When it comes to vitamin C, citrus gets all the recognition. But don’t overlook pineapple! One cup of this fresh fruit has all the vitamin C you need for the day. This compound helps maintain a robust immune system so you can kick that cold faster and keep well. Ward Off Disease According to a 2016 study published in Biomedical Reports, in addition to being anti-inflammatory, pineapple also has anti-cancer and…

Maintaining plant life is an ongoing struggle between pests, weeds and weather. And if you have pets, with them comes a whole additional set of complications. Discover some gentle yet effective solutions to deter your pets from sniffing, digging and noshing around the garden this summer. CATS • Plant a cover crop of sedum to make the soil harder to access.• Layer gravel or twigs and pine cones over the soil.• Away from your garden, plant catnip in a pot to distract your furry friend. DOGS • Construct physical barriers such as fences or raised garden beds. A clear visual boundary makes training easier.• Plant marigolds or calendula around your other plants. Dogs are turned off by the strong scent. ALL CREATURES—AND CRITTERS! • Lay chicken wire over the soil…

Meal Plans • Quick Dishes • Smart Cooking HEART HEALTHY Gingered Spaghetti Salad On hot days, we love to make this chilled chicken salad brimming with veggies. Make it meatless by omitting the chicken and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, CO Takes: 30 min. • Makes: 8 servings 1 pkg. (16 oz.) whole wheat spaghetti1 cup frozen shelled edamame1 tsp. minced fresh gingerroot1 cup reduced-fat sesame ginger salad dressing3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast1 English cucumber, chopped1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped1 small sweet yellow pepper, chopped1 small red onion, finely chopped3 green onions, sliced 1. Cook spaghetti according to the package directions, adding edamame during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Rinse mixture in cold water and drain well. Meanwhile, stir ginger into the salad dressing. 2.…