Prep Once, Eat Twice: Liz's Go-To Summer Recipes
Thu Apr 10 2025
- Furniture Buying Tips
- Lifestyle & Home

Summer calls for vibrant, flavorful dishes that help you make the most of the season and your time in the kitchen. With just a little prep and the right appliances, you can whip up meals that transform into delicious next-day leftovers. Whether you’re firing up the outdoor grill or using a high-performance convection oven, these summer recipes are all about maximizing flavor with minimal effort.
Today, we’re spotlighting three of Liz’s favorite recipes that deliver fresh, summery goodness while showcasing what appliances like outdoor pizza ovens and grills can do for your culinary game.
1. Sheet Pan Lobster Tails with Lemon Shallot Butter

Photo/Recipe (Sheet Pan Lobster Tails): Beth Bollinger of Nest Wellness
Few meals scream summer like the combination of lobster, corn, and shrimp. This Sheet Pan Lobster Tails with Lemon Shallot Butter recipe keeps the cooking process simple by bringing everything together on a single baking sheet. With a flavorful compound butter made from parsley, shallot, lemon zest, and Aleppo pepper, this dish is perfect for an elegant yet effortless dinner.
Pro Tip: Prep extra compound butter to spread on warm baguettes or toss with roasted vegetables the next day. With dishes like this, less is more—less effort, more flavor.
Why a Convection Oven Works Best
A convection oven takes this dish to the next level. The even heat distribution ensures your lobster tails turn a perfect shade of orange while keeping the shrimp tender and the corn slightly charred. Because convection ovens cook faster and more evenly than traditional ones, you save time while achieving professional results.
2. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta, and Lemon

Photo: Liz Andrew; Styling: Erin McDowell; Recipe (Grilled Flatbread Pizza): PureWow
Pizza night meets gourmet summer dining with this Grilled Flatbread Pizza recipe. Using store-bought flatbread as a base, the toppings—a creamy ricotta spread, marinated artichokes, thin lemon slices, and fresh basil—pack a refreshing punch.
Pair with: A leafy green salad and chilled white wine. Any leftovers make for a satisfying lunch the next day. Just warm them slightly and enjoy.
Fire Up the Outdoor Pizza Oven
Cooking this pizza in an outdoor pizza oven brings unmatched crisp textures and smoky flavor to your crust. Pizza ovens are designed to deliver high, even heat, mimicking Italian wood-fired ovens. This means your flatbread emerges perfectly golden with melted ricotta and slightly caramelized artichokes in a matter of minutes.
3. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers

Photo: Liz Andrew; Styling: Erin McDowell; Recipe (Grilled Flatbread Pizza): PureWow
If you’re looking for an easy way to feed a crowd, these Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers are always a hit. Tender pork cubes marinated in a tangy pineapple-based sauce are skewered alongside juicy pineapple chunks. A quick turn on the grill caramelizes the sugars, giving the skewers a sweet, smoky glaze.
Transform leftovers: Turn excess skewers into a hearty stir-fry by slicing the pork and pineapple and tossing with veggies. Add rice or noodles for a reinvented meal everyone will love.
Outdoor Grills Are a Game-Changer
One of the best parts of summer cooking is firing up the outdoor grill. Grills don’t just cook your food—they infuse it with that unmistakable barbecue flavor. For these skewers, the high heat ensures an even char while locking in the pork’s juices. The result? Restaurant-quality skewers right in your backyard.
The Role of Great Appliances in Stress-Free Cooking
What makes these three recipes truly shine? The tools and appliances you use. From making the perfect crisp pizza crust to caramelizing pork on the grill, your equipment plays a key role in the end results. Here’s why having the right appliances matters:
- Convection ovens speed up cooking and ensure consistent results for dishes like lobster tails or roasted vegetables.
- Outdoor grills deliver smoky char and lock in flavor for meats and summer fruits alike.
- Outdoor pizza ovens recreate the bold textures and flavors of restaurant-grade pizzas right in your backyard.
Investing in quality cooking appliances from Appliance Warehouse ensures you can create memorable meals with ease. Explore our range of appliances to upgrade your culinary arsenal this summer.
Dining Inside or Al Fresco? Don’t Forget the Furniture
A delicious meal is best enjoyed in a space as welcoming as the food itself. Whether inside or outdoors, choosing the right dining furniture enhances the overall experience. Our selection of dining room and outdoor furniture at Great Living Home has you covered.
Comfortable Dining Room Furniture
Want a space to enjoy lobster tails or grilled pizzas with family? Great Living Home offers stunning dining room furniture. From modern minimalism to timeless elegance, our furnishings add functionality and charm to your interior dining area, making every meal feel like an occasion.

Relax and Savor Outdoors
Prefer to enjoy a breezy summer evening? Our outdoor furniture transforms patios into cozy, stylish dining spots. Picture lounging on a weather-resistant sectional or sitting at a modern outdoor table as you savor sweet-and-sour pork skewers under the stars.
For everything from dining chairs to patio sofas, Great Living Home ensures your furniture is both durable and beautiful, perfectly fitting the vibe of a well-earned summer feast.
Elevate Your Summer Dishes in Seabrook, NH
With a little planning and the right tools, summer cooking becomes less about effort and more about enjoying the process. From preparing lobster tails to firing up the grill for pork skewers, these summer recipes celebrate bold flavors and creative ways to prep once and eat twice.
Explore high-quality convection appliances, pizza ovens, and grills at Appliance Warehouse to turn your kitchen into a summer-friendly culinary hub. And don’t forget to finish off your setup with stylish dining and outdoor furniture from Great Living Home, helping you create the perfect backdrop for every meal.
Contact us or visit our showroom today!
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