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14 Fresh Summer Recipes — Thai Basil Chicken, Lump Crab Cakes & More
Plus even more dinner ideas!
Rhys Lawson
July 06, 2025
Looking for dinner inspiration that feels both fresh and exciting?
This week’s lineup has something for every craving … think zesty Thai basil chicken, Maryland-style crab cakes, Laotian grilled pork, and vibrant summer salads.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy curry, a crisp chopped salad, or something totally new, you’ll find plenty of ideas below to liven up your table.
Hope you enjoy! — Rhys
14 Tasty Dinners — Thai Basil Chicken, Lump Crab Cakes & More
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1. Thai Basil Chicken
Spicy ground chicken stir-fried with fresh basil, garlic, and chilies, served over rice.
 | Gai Basil by Gai Noi Ground chicken sauteed with fresh Thai chilies, crushed garlic, Thai basil, served with rice topped with a crispy fried egg. |
2. Fresh Fish & Lump Crab Cakes
Pan-seared cakes with fresh fish, lump crab, and house-made remoulade.
 | Crab Cakes by Liberty Oak Maryland-style lump Crab Cakes pan seared served over warm Texas caviar and topped with a Creole Remoulade. |
3. Gai Noi Laotian Grilled Pork
Marinated pork skewers with lemongrass, served with sticky rice and fresh herbs.
 | SUON HEO NUONG by Monsoon GR Grilled pork tomahawk - Marinated pork tomahawk, spring mix, lime fish sauce vinaigrette & Vietnamese chimichurri |
4. Cotogna-Inspired Summer Salad
Farm-fresh greens, citrus, and toasted nuts, finished with a tangy vinaigrette.
 | Summer salad by Indigo Restaurant Experience the freshness of summer with our vibrant Summer Salad, featuring a colorful medley of crisp greens, juicy heirloom tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers, all tossed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Topped with creamy feta cheese and a sprinkle of toasted nuts, this delightful salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish on a warm day. |
5. Meddys Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Sliced, spice-rubbed chicken over turmeric rice, topped with pickled veggies and garlic sauce.
 | Chicken Shawarma by Sitti Thinly-sliced marinated chicken thigh served with Sitti rice, grilled tomato, sumac onion, pickled wild cucumber, and garlic whip |
6. Halibut with Lemon-Caper Butter
Pan-roasted halibut fillet finished with a silky lemon-caper sauce.
 | Pan-Seared California Halibut by M'tucci's Twenty-Five Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce |
7. Endive Salad with Gorgonzola & Caramelized Pecans
Bitter endive, creamy blue cheese, and sweet nuts in a white balsamic dressing.
 | Endive Salad by Nightingale Radicchio, white balsamic, blue cheese, dates, candied pecan |
8. Vegetarian Thai Green Curry
Colorful veggies simmered in coconut milk and green curry paste, with fresh basil.
 | Green Curry by 9 Thai Cuisine Thai style coconut milk green curry with bamboo shoot, eggplant, string bean, basil leave and bell pepper |
9. BBQ Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
Grilled bone-in pork chops served with a bright, juicy peach salsa.
 | Pork Chop by OBC Kitchen French cut pork chop, bourbon peach chutney, roasted poblano and yucca mash, white balsamic gastrique |
10. Joey’s Prawn Curry Bowl
Jumbo prawns simmered in a creamy coconut curry sauce, served over rice noodles.
 | Prawn Thai Curry Laksa by Moxies - Victoria Grilled prawns, creamy coconut broth, mushrooms, rice noodles, fresh vegetables & sprouts |
11. Bay Shrimp & Avocado Little Gem Salad
Sweet shrimp, buttery avocado, crisp lettuce, and green goddess dressing.
 | AVOCADO and SHRIMP SALAD by Brave New Restaurant Bibb lettuce topped with slices of avocados, segments of grapefruit, and gulf shrimp, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. |
12. Classic Arnold Toasted Yolk
Buttered English muffin with a perfectly runny egg and creamy hollandaise.
 | The Classic Arnold* by The Toasted Yolk Cafe Two English muffin halves topped with Canadian bacon, two poached eggs, and Hollandaise sauce. |
13. New York Deli-Style Chopped Salad
Crisp romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, and provolone, tossed in house vinaigrette.
 | Chopped Salad by Blackbird Wood Fire Pizza Chopped romaine, salami, cucumber, red onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, provolone cheese and a house made basil vinaigrette |
14. Korean BBQ Pork Lettuce Wraps
Tender prime rib slices wrapped in crisp lettuce with jalapenos, scallions, and spicy gochujang sauce.
 | Korean Lettuce Wraps by FireWorks Restaurant Bulgogi marinated prime rib, red peppers, carrots, jalapeños, peanuts, rice and lettuce cups. Served family style with pineapple salsa and sweet and sour sauce. |
Forward to a friend if you found recipe inspiration this week!
It only takes 5 seconds. Making this took me 1.5 hours :)
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Looking for more?
Check out my previous dinner ideas! There’s everything from buddha bowls to tropical tacos.
 14 Tasty Dinners — Pasta Bravo, Shrimp Tacos & More |  14 Delicious Dinners — Burrata Peaches, Hot Honey Chicken & More |
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