All Things Summer!

Sorry for the delayed post! Hope everyone had a great weekend—I did! Unfortunately, Eric had to work all weekend (are you starting to see a trend here?), so I went to Lake Martin with some good friends! It was a much needed relaxing, fun weekend. We cooked in every meal, so I thought I would share a few (5) yummy summer recipes with you. Mallory and Tatum were so nice to share with me their recipes—such great pals. First and foremost: the perfect, fruity alcoholic beverage. Mallory came up with this yummy concoction thanks to Tatum’s mom (of course we added more alcohol than the original recipe). Can’t go wrong with fresh peaches and strawberries! I have to say, I cracked up when I realized that she used Minute Maid Frozen Pink Lemonade—you know the ones that all our moms had in the freezer growing up. As a kid, I always remember my mom having those and the Bacardi ones. Also, I have to say Mallory impressed me this weekend with her guacamole recipe. Tatum and I cook often but Mallory…not so much! Tatum did a really tasty summer salad and cooled us off with what I call “a little piece of heaven” aka vanilla ice cream, Oreo's, and Cool Whip. I’m pretty sure I caught Tatum licking the Pyrex Dish before I left. Lastly, I made a pasta salad that is perfect for this hot weather. I have recently decided to call this “Anna’s Pasta.” Anna, my niece loves this pasta salad, I always think of her when I make it. Eric and I went up to Minnesota a few summers ago, I taught her how to prepare it one night. Anytime either one of us make it, we have to send each other a picture. This pasta salad has so many variations, but it’s so simple and refreshing. 

Peach Fuzz Buzz
Ingredients
12 FL oz. Minute Maid Pink Lemonade (Frozen and Concentrated)
12 FL oz. Tito’s Vodka
1 peach (leave skin on, pitted)
Ice
1 strawberry for garnish

Instructions
Place pink lemonade, vodka (fill up the empty pink lemonade container [12 oz.]), peach, and ice in blender.
Keep adding ice until it’s at the consistency you desire.
Pour in a mason jar and add strawberry for garnishment.


For the Love of Guacamole
 Ingredients
3-4 avocados
1 red onion
½ medium-sized limes
Tomatoes (optional)
Secret ingredient—garlic salt

Instructions
Cut avocado length ways and remove pit. Scoop out insides of avocado and place in bowl.
Chop up red onion and add to bowl. Also add tomatoes here if desired.
Cut limes in half and add lime juice to taste. Depending on the lime, you may need more than one lime, so get two just in case.
Sprinkle garlic salt to taste.
Stir all ingredients and enjoy some delicious guacamole paired with your favorite tortilla chips!
*This recipe feeds roughly 5-6 people



Grilled Corn and Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 ears of corn, shucked
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained
3 scallions, sliced
1 container cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
½ cup chopped basil
½ cup chopped parsley
1 container crumbled feta

Instructions
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush 1 teaspoon oil over the corn and then grill until charred all over (about 7 to 9 minutes). Cool and then cut kernels off the cob.
Whisk the remaining 2 teaspoons oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in corn, chickpeas, tomatoes, basil, and parsley. Stir in about half the feta, if desired. Transfer to a serving dish and top with the remaining feta.




Cookies N' Cream "Cake"
Ingredients
1 - 16oz Cool Whip
1 - Container Vanilla Ice Cream
1 - Package Oreos

Instructions
Bring cool whip and ice cream to room temperature.
Mix Cool Whip and ice cream together. Crush 2 sleeves of Oreos. Mix crushed Oreos with Cool Whip/ice cream mixture.
Spread onto 13x9 casserole dish.
Cover and freeze for 1 hour.
Remove from freezer, crush 1 sleeve of Oreos and top. Cover and freeze for another 2 hours before serving.   


Anna’s Pasta Salad
Ingredients
1 16 ounce tri-color uncooked pasta
1 16 ounce Lite Italian Salad Dressing
1 Cucumber
1 package of frozen Mukimame (shelled Edamame)  
1 package of Cherubs Tomatoes (Cherry Tomatoes)
1 red onion

Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes until done, and then drain.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the Italian dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes, Mukimame, and red onions. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Side note—I don’t use the whole bottle of dressing, and I save some dressing until right before serving.




Happy Eating!!!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts