Debut cookbook authors Kimberley Hasselbrink (Vibrant Food) and Anya Kassoff (The Vibrant Table) share more than just a pub month and the word “vibrant” in the titles of their new cookbooks. Both are active bloggers—Hasselbrink’s photos and writing appear at The Year in Food, while Kassoff’s recipes at Golubka feature photographs taken by her daughter—and both recognize the value of seasonal, healthy food that looks as good as it tastes. Here, the authors describe what “vibrant” food means to them and suggest perfect height-of-summer meals from their new books.

“I became enamored with the word vibrant early on in the process of writing my book: it always felt like the right word to use to describe what I love most about food. Originally I was just thinking about color. But I realized that the word perfectly encompasses all of the senses involved in eating and enjoying a meal. It describes not only the striking colors and visual appeal of a dish, but also its dynamic flavors and its composition, and the joy that’s found in celebrating these things.” —Kimberley Hasselbrink, author of Vibrant Food

“I don’t need to look further than the stalls at the farmer’s market for cooking inspiration. The rainbow of seasonal fruit and vegetables drives my imagination and helps shape ideas for new recipes. When it comes to choosing ingredients, I believe in one simple wisdom: the more color on your plate, the healthier the meal. It makes so much sense that the freshest, most natural ingredients will always be the brightest and most delicious. Every recipe in The Vibrant Table is centered around preparing vibrant, whole foods and ingredients to be at their best, satisfying the body’s need for both flavor and nourishment.” —Anya Kassoff, author of The Vibrant Table

Vibrant Food: Celebrating the Ingredients, Recipes, and Colors of Each Season by Kimberley Hasselbrink. Ten Speed, June. ISBN 978-1-60774-541-9

The Vibrant Table: Recipes from My Always Vegetarian, Mostly Vegan & Sometimes Raw Kitchen by Anya Kassoff, photos by Masha Davydova. Shambhala/Roost, June. ISBN 978-1-61180-097-5