Joanna Gaines

I wonder if I haven’t always been the best host. For as much as I love entertaining, especially the signs of life that resound when family and friends fill my home, not to mention the art of it—the thoughtful table, creative details, favorite foods—there were years when I questioned why some of our gatherings felt like they’d ended before they ever really began. Easy evenings with family or friends could still fall short. It wasn’t for lack of interest or desire.

It’s the great paradox of summer: fresh produce is at its peak, inspiring so many flavors and dishes, but so too is the heat. Motivation to pull together a meal is often inversely proportional to the temperature. When it’s hot out, the last thing many of us want to do is turn up the oven or spend an hour at the stove. Having a list of go-to dishes that are easy, nourishing, and no- or low-cook is our summer hack for surviving the soaring Texas digits.

Get exclusive members-only perks when you sign up for a FREE Magnolia Perks account. Join Us or Sign In by The Magnolia Team Published on May 19, 2026 We love a summer holiday around here. These little pockets of joy come at just the right time to welcome warmer weather or soak up one of the sweet, sun-drenched moments during the heat of the season. In our opinion, any long weekend is a good excuse to gather, offering us the gift of (extra) time—together.