5 Fruit-Forward Meals for Your Summer Menu

Welcome to Forkcast—a weekly meal-planning newsletter with five recipes for the week ahead, plus a handy grocery list and helpful tips. This week’s is curated by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, a nutrition expert with a passion for practical, family-friendly meals. Learn more of her expertise here.

What better time to boost your fruit intake than the start of summer, when sweet, colorful fruit is reaching its peak? If you’re anything like me, you love a good sweet-and-savory combo—and this week’s menu is full of them. We’re highlighting two of the season’s best: juicy peaches and bursting-with-flavor blueberries. You’ll see just how well they shine in the five recipes below.

Produce

• 1 small lemon

• 12 ripe peaches

• 4 cups blueberries

• 1 ½ teaspoons fresh ginger

• 1 small jalapeno

• 1 ¼ cup basil leaves

• ¼ cup red onion

• Baby arugula (or romaine)

• Onion

Dairy & Eggs

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt

• 4 slices Swiss cheese

• 8-9 ounces halloumi cheese

• 1 ½ cups grated mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese

Meat & Fish

• 1 ½ pounds flat iron steak

• 4 ounces pancetta or bacon

Pantry:

• ¼ cup stone ground yellow plain cornmeal

• 1 teaspoon bourbon

• 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 2 teaspoons chia seeds

• 1 French baguette or 4 hoagie rolls

• 1 pound pizza dough

• Miracle whip like dressing (optional)

1. Start With What’s in Season (and on Sale)

Start your menu plan with what’s in season and on sale. For example, if peaches aren’t ripe, swap for other stone fruits that are, or if chicken is on sale, swap it for steak in dinner 1 above.

2. Shop Smarter With a Sorted List

Once your menu is set, group your shopping list by category and layout of your go-to supermarket. It will save you time and make your trip more efficient. (Bonus: We’ve already given you a head start with the list above!)

3. Double Up for Leftovers You’ll Love

Consider doubling recipes to enjoy leftovers or repurpose ingredients throughout the week. For example, extra steak is the perfect topping to a lunch salad and leftover Greek yogurt makes a great base for a breakfast parfait.

4. Make Extra Jam—You’ll Thank Yourself Later

Whip up a double (or triple!) batch of the Blueberry Balsamic Jam to keep on hand. It’s perfect with a cheese board or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.

5. Top It Off With Homemade Whipped Cream

Bringing the pandowdy to a backyard barbecue? Make a batch of homemade whipped cream to serve on top—a dollop will take this dessert up a notch!