It's fun for me to have my family members together so I can prepare their favorite foods, like this saucy barbecued chicken. The juicy, tender recipe always brings enthusiastic compliments from our four grown children and three grandkids. —Barbara Blickens Derfer, Edgewater, Florida

This glazed ham steak is a yummy quick-and-easy main dish. It tastes especially good heated on the grill but works well in the oven broiler, too. On summer weekends back home, Dad does the grilling while Mom prepares the rest of the meal.—Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

At our house, we love the summer tastes of sweet grilled nectarines and fresh basil over goat cheese. I can usually find all the ingredients at the farmers market. —Brandy Hollingshead, Grass Valley, California

These boneless beef short ribs are a hearty and wholesome comfort food the whole family will love. They're packed with sweet, tangy flavor and easy to whip up on a weeknight.

This white balsamic vinaigrette is creamy, flavorful and best of all, easy to make. Serve it drizzled over a bed of fresh greens, or use it as an overnight marinade for chicken.

Whether it's nutrition or taste you're after, it doesn't get any better than a bulgur salad. Bulgur wheat, beans, tomatoes, pine nuts and olive oil team up in this Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian main dish salad.

I like how grilled pork and fruit bring out the best in each other. If you have leftover relish, break out the tortilla chips! —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey

This comforting, warm soup will help to keep your spirits up in the fall. Using your garden goodies, warm spices are mixed with some heat from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You can use any beans you like and add fresh spinach or kale.

Marinated mozzarella is the ultimate light-touch appetizer, as you really only need to combine the ingredients, then let the marinade do the work. It’s perfect for parties or a snack to enjoy with a glass of wine.