Better Homes And Gardens June 9 2021

Grapefruit-Guava Fruit Punch

Credit: Carson Downing

The recipes from our June 2021 issue ofBetter Homes & Gardens® magazine bring out the best of summer. Light the grill to enjoy tropical-inspired recipes like mango ribs or passionfruit shrimp. Or pull out a mandoline (a vegetable peeler works too) to create gorgeous shaved salads built with summer's best produce. Choose a recipe that keeps things light and bright, or pick a hearty, stomach-stuffing meal; there are options for any appetite.

1 of 12

Tamarind BBQ Chicken

Credit: Carson Downing

Bright, acidic tamarind paste takes BBQ sauce tropical. Standing in for the molasses of a traditional sauce, tamarind—along with soy sauce and rice vinegar—gives this version a distinctly tangy, umami flavor. Serve alongside coconut basmati rice with charred green onions.

2 of 12

Passion Fruit Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

Passion Fruit Shrimp & Scallop Skewers

Credit: Carson Downing

As the base for a marinade and grilling sauce, passion fruit's puckery tartness—think mango and pineapple with a slightly sour kick—is an ideal complement to rich, buttery shellfish. Reserve some sauce to stir into mayo for a quick postgrill dip.

3 of 12

Grilled Bananas and Pineapple with Coconut-Caramel Sauce

Credit: Carson Downing

Brush melted butter and sugar onto banana and pineapple, then caramelize them with a quick sear on the grill. Spoon them over purchased coconut ice cream, and top it all with a coconut milk-and-dulce de leche sauce.

4 of 12

Sweet and Spicy Mango-Sauced Ribs with Smoky Slaw

Credit: Carson Downing

Grab the tongs, recline the lawn chair all the way, and let these spice-rubbed pork ribs grill low and slow for a couple of lazy hours. Cook fresh mangoes down into a lightly sweet sauce, and toss a few more on the grill to go in the red cabbage slaw.

Buy It: OXO Tongs ($12, Bed Bath & Beyond)

5 of 12

Coconut Rice

Credit: Carson Downing

Sure you've made foil packs to grill veggies and even desserts, but probably not for flaked coconut. A quick stint on the grill adds more toasty-nut flavor to the rice side dish; coconut milk adds creaminess. Definitely no boring rice here.

Buy It: Bob's Red Mill Unsweetened Flaked Coconut ($7, Amazon)

6 of 12

Grapefruit-Guava Fruit Punch

Credit: Carson Downing

Spoon a little grenadine or cherry juice in each glass to give this mocktail punch the colorful layers of a summer sunset. If you like, splash in some smoky mezcal or tequila to make this mocktail recipe a cocktail.

7 of 12

Zucchini, Summer Squash and Chicken Salad

Zucchini Summer Squash and Chicken Salad

Credit: Carson Downing

With fresh corn, tomatoes, and summer squash, summer's best ingredients fill this main dish salad. The dish gets a big hit of bright flavor from poaching the chicken in a liquid containing lemon halves—not just plain water—to add citrus notes.

Related: How to Cut Corn Off the Cob (Without Making a Mess)

8 of 12

Thai-Inspired Beef and Cucumber Salad

Thai Inspired Beef and Cucumber Salad

Credit: Carson Downing

A vibrant mixture of lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil does double duty as flank steak marinade and salad vinaigrette. Ribbons of cucumber aren't shy about soaking up the citrusy vinaigrette, and their texture plays with the crunch of blanched haricot verts (or green beans), peanuts, and raw shallot. Grilled chicken or shrimp would work well in it too.

Related: Main Dish Salad Recipes for Fresh Weeknight Meals

9 of 12

Julienned Snow Peas, Celery and Radish Salad

Julienned Snow Peas Celery and Radish Salad

Credit: Carson Downing

Combine slivers of some of the crunchiest veggies out there with lacy slices of biting endive and nutty Manchego cheese and Marcona almonds. Slicing and shaving ingredients with a mandoline or vegetable peeler means each bite contains a jumble of ingredients.

Buy It: OXO Hand- Held Mandoline ($17, OXO)

10 of 12

Melon, Peach, and Prosciutto Salad

Credit: Carson Downing

Reinvent the classic prosciutto-melon appetizer in this main dish summer salad. Use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to cut stone fruit and melon into thin planks for the fennel seed-flecked dressing to cling to. Pile the mix on plates with peppery arugula, salty prosciutto, and shredded Gouda in this summertime beauty.

Buy It: OXO 3-Piece Peeler Set ($15, OXO)

11 of 12

Shaved Fennel and Fingerling Potato Salad

Credit: Carson Downing

We love a creamy potato salad, but if there's room at the barbecue for another rendition, try this fresh take on German potato salad. Fennel—the licorice-flavor root usually reserved for roasting or braising—proves its versatility in this salad. Feathery slices of crunchy raw fennel contrast with creamy boiled fingering potatoes. Finish the salad with julienned bell pepper, green onions, parsley, and the Dijon-forward vinaigrette.

12 of 12

Chocolate-Cherry Muffins

Credit: Carson Downing

Come for the bittersweet chocolate and dried cherries; stay for the healthy serving of oats, nut butter, and yogurt that will keep you going all morning. Any leftovers from the batch of 12 will keep at room temperature for 3 days or in the freezer up to 3 months.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Muffin Pan ($20, Target)

Up Next