Not only are ice cream sandwiches a cool summer dessert, but these dazzling recipes will get even hesitant bakers into the mood—and may inspire you to host a few ice cream sandwich summer socials.

For sure, Cookies & Cream: Hundreds Of Ways To Make The Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich, by Tessa Arias, has inspired us.

There are 50 recipes for both sweet and savory sandwiches, using simple ingredients to deliver very creative flavor combinations. The recipes include both the ice cream and the cookie or other sandwich base.

Instructions are simple to follow and thorough: You can give this book to a young teenager (and we’d encourage that, because one cookbook leads to another, and self-sufficiency in the kitchen).

You can switch the flavors around to make hundreds of different combinations.

The recipes are divided by category:

 
We want to make every recipe in the book!

The hardcover book is just $12.72 on Amazon.com. How much better can it get? Order your copies!
  

It’s new, different and full of antioxidants and fiber. And there are different varieties beyond the curly kale found in supermarkets. See the different types of kale and check farmers markets for them.

This recipe from Galli Restaurant in New York City inspired us:

KALE SALAD

Ingredients

Asian Kale Salad Recipe. You can make an Asian kale salad with a vinaigrette of 2.5 parts olive oil, .5 part sesame oil and 1 part rice wine vinegar, plus some optional Asian ingredients: baby corn, bean sprouts, bok choy, red bell pepper, toasted sesame seeds, water chestnuts, etc.

Tuscan Kale Salad Recipe. For a Tuscan kale salad, make a vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves and optional red pepper flakes, plus grated pecorino toscano, asiago or Parmesan cheese. It’s like a kale Caesar salad.

You can add chickpeas, currants and anything else that appeals to you. Italians like to garnish with fresh bread crumbs.

More kale-friendly ingredients:

 
Let us know your favorite combination.

KALE NUTRITION

Kale, also known as borecole, is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet, says Web MD (here’s the whole article). It belongs to the Brassica family that includes the anti-carcinogen cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, and mustard greens, among others.

See how many times a month you can add kale to your table.
  

If you like grilled potatoes, try these elegant grilled fingerlings with “spud rub” dip. Use the spud rub to season the potatoes and anything else you’re grilling; then stir it into the dipping sauce and serve the grilled fingerlings on a platter alongside a bowl of spud rub bip.

GRILLED FINGERLING POTATOES RECIPE

Ingredients

For The Spud Rub

 
For The Spud Rub Dip

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE all spud rub ingredients in a glass jar; close the lid and shake to blend. Store at room temperature.

2. PREPARE a medium-hot fire in your grill. Place the potatoes in a bowl, drizzle with the olive oil, and sprinkle with spud rub. Toss to coat.

3. PLACE the potatoes on the grill rack or in grill basket directly over the heat and close the grill lid. After 3 to 4 minutes, open the lid and toss the potatoes or turn the basket. Close the lid again and repeat the process for 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

Makes 4 side dish servings.

SPUD RUB DIP RECIPE

1. COMBINE combine 1/2 cup prepared buttermilk or ranch-style dressing and 2 teaspoons spud rub in small bowl. Stir to blend.

2. REFRIGERATE until ready to serve.

See the different types of potatoes in our Potato Glossary.

Find more delicious potato recipes at PotatoGoodness.com.