It’s been a relatively mild summer thus far, but a rise in temperatures provides an opportunity to try some cook new recipes.

The Made in Oklahoma Coalition recognizes the season, and the first recipe it is offering is Watermelon Gazpacho, which combines a classic Spanish dish with Oklahoma’s favorite seasonal fruit. Gazpacho is an Andalusian recipe, which typically combines raw vegetables in a tomato-based soup, served cold. Oklahomans aren’t afraid of good, fresh tomatoes, but they go crazy for watermelon — preferably purchased from the back of a pickup parked on the side of the road. This is a sweet treat sure to offer respite from July heat.

This time of year is also perfect for getting up early or finding a good shady spot near the lake to do some fishing. The MIO is offering its Oklahoma Style Fried Catfish recipe to offer guidance when you empty those trot-lines or bring in a stringer full of channel cat. The recipe uses a beer batter, which is a great alternative to the standard cornmeal version. The recipe calls for Pittsburg County’s favorite tonic, Choc Beer. No, this isn’t the kind brewed in a home crock and stored in a cheap Champagne bottle, it comes from the Krebs Brewing Company next-door to Pete’s Place.

Fresh fruit is a wonderful choice for dessert, with plenty of fresh fruit in season this time of year. The U-Pick Fruit Syrup recipe here calls for strawberries and preserves, but one could make a version of the recipe using Stratford or Porter Peaches and Garden Club’s peach preserves, Garden Club Red Plum Jam with fresh blueberries or Garden Club Apricot Preserves with fresh apricots.