Cool Summer Recipes

RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post by badwater (683) | (02/15/2008) Contact In the hot summer months, I keep certain canned goods in the fridge till I get ready to serve them with a meal: pickled beets, baby corn, cranberry sauce, candied yams, any canned fruits, etc. Other dishes that can be made up in advance that keep really well in the fridge are pimento cheese spread (that can be served on various sliced fresh veggies like celery pieces, cucumber slices or used as a sandwich spread or as a chip dip). Potato salad, ham salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, mixed beans salad, a variety of sliced melons, all can be served at a moment's notice, all cool and refreshing. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Sarah (Guest Post) (06/17/2007) Crockpot, crockpot, crockpot!!! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Jackie (Guest Post) (06/16/2007) When it is so very hot, I love to eat salads. One of my favorite is a plate of greens, some tuna fish, out of the can, some salmon, cottage cheese, just a scoop, a hard boiled egg cut up, or two, maybe some cold lunch meat, then eat it with some crackers, etc. Makes a good meal, you could add cucumbers, carrots,tomatoes, whatever is cool and will cool you down. It is a good idea. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post by cookwie (933) | (06/16/2007) Profile | Contact Cook the entree in the back yard in the bbq or electric skillet! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Lynda (Guest Post) (06/16/2007) Think cold soups and crisp salads of ALL sorts, for a change. The Imagine boxed veggie soups at Whole Foods Health food store here are just great cold, with croutons or Pepperidge Farms crackers floating on top. Also, keep plenty of made-ahead finger foods ready to serve in the fridge. You won't regret it. Remember that cool refreshing new mixed flavored drinks are equally exciting, if you have the money, time and creativity. Just think about what you and your family likes. Try different things like fresh pineapple spears in iced tea glasses, and fruit punches with real frozen fruit added to ice cubes, and LOTS of things made from cold pasta salad combos, using tuna, salmon, cold canned boned chicken, cold boiled ham, keeping LOTS of cold boiled eggs and sliced veggies handy to add to each meal on the side. Nothing says each meal has to be a certain way, rememer, so THINK OUTSIDE OF THE POT, PAN, BOX, PACKAGE, BOTTLE, AND NORM in order to get freely CREATIVE. Avocados, melons/fruit of all varieties, cabbages and peppers of all colors will add zing to both flavors AND visual appeal to all new recipes for Summer heat. Remember to rely on LOTS of cold LEMONADE, ORANGEADE, Watermelon, ORANGE Ju, and watch for GOOD sales on cheap colorful glasses and plastic dishes to brighten up the table. Use every placemat, tablecloth, colorful napkin you own,to inspire you. Don't "match" food to the cloths, but rather contrast them so that there is ALWAYS a LOT of color for offsetting the heat. Learn to use interesting tree/flowers/pods, grasses, twigs, knick knacks as well. Use kitchen utensils to ball melons, slice/trim/decorate fresh veggies, changing the usual sizes and shapes and taking an extra moment to "place" them on the plates and table. It helps stimulate the palate, I hear. Plan on spending time under a tree on pillows having a dinner-picnic, with Christmas lights strung overhead? Or candles on the table if evening time. Remember the Patio stakes that folks often toss curbside? Use a couple of them for a change. Summer's the time for ICES, bought or homemade. Targets has a WONDERFUL cheaper SnowCone Shaved ice machine you will love, if you have extra cash. It's worth it. Keep the cups frozen in the freezer for ready use for visitors, too. Use ANYTHING on the ice, or the ice in any drink you serve. Grill, with LOTS of K-bobs, steamed veggie chunks/thick slices, fish with garlic/lemon & lime with dill and parsley, and all sorts of COLD OLIVES. Make fruit Frosties/Whips out of whipped egg whites, powdered sugar and fresh fruit drinks, along with crushed ice. This serves as dessert as well. Serve ginger snaps, and lemon sand tarts in Summer. Small amounts of after dinner hot tea/coffees warm up the skin and makes a Summer wind seem cool. This is the principle used by Arabians in the hot desert. Serve with light sponge /angel food cakes of all flavore if dessert is wanted. Breakfasts of cold healthy cereals and unsweetened vanilla Almond milk, sprinkled with lightly with cinnamon is divine, especially if with melons, different variety/shape on the side, each morning. Brunches/Lunches are good with big salads and cold veggie soups, for a change, in cups with bread sticks, variety crackers/chips/ small cold meats or egg sandwiches. Berries go well in individual bowls. Don't swelter inside, BUT, keep insect repellent available for everyone and keep fans going OUTSIDE at all times of the day/night. Set up a service area that's cheery, has closeable salt/pepper, and room to set pitchers of drinks, desserts on, to save you from going in and out. Place napkins inside a gallon plastic bag or bugproof container. Buy two of the "picnic food umbreellas" from the dollar stores, and use/keep handy until ready to serve the food and eat. Try top keep a table setup that's clean and large enough to eat on, if possible, otherwise, keep TV trays handy under cover. Also, keep a jar of soapy water and a roll of paper towels nearby to clean up any mess or accidents from wind or children. Keep in mind that it takes a little adjustment to the outdoor living, but with practice, you will enjoy your efforts. Keep trying to improve upon your past efforts and you will finally work the "bugs" and kinks out of any problems that might arise. Even the poorest of us, and most frugal, can get our thinking caps on and use whatever we have to our best advantage, when we put our minds to it, right? Good luck, and God bless you. : ) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Mythi (Guest Post) (06/15/2007) Apple Chicken Salad Recipe This simple but tasty salad combines cooked chicken breast, apples, celery, carrots, and sweet onion with ranch dressing. The apples give a sweet crunch and a perfect offset to the tanginess of the ranch dressing. Use as a topper for lettuce greens or as a sandwich filler. Kids love this salad. 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast 1/4 cup finely-diced Red Delicious apple 1/4 cup finely-diced celery 1/4 cup finely-diced sweet onions 1 Tbsp grated carrot 1 Tbsp mayonnaise 1/4 cup ranch dressing Salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste Lettuce and tomatoes Gently toss chicken breast, apple, celery, sweet onions, carrot, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, salt, and pepper until well-combined. Serve with salad greens and tomatoes or as a filler for sandwiches. Yield: 4 servings Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Mythi (Guest Post) (06/15/2007) Slowcooker French Dip Sandwich 5 lb Boneless rump roast 1 tbsp Garlic powder 1/2 tsp Seasoned salt 1/4 tsp Cayenne 1/2 tsp Oregano 1/2 tsp Rosemary 2 Beef bouillon cubes 1 Onion, chopped fine 1-2 cans onion soup or beef broth Put all in slowcooker. Cook SLOW 8 to 10 hours or HIGH 4 to 6 hours. If gravy is too thin mix cornstarch with some of gravy. Heat until thickened. Slice thin and serve on French bread or French rolls. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cool Summer Recipes Post By Cheryl (Guest Post) (06/15/2007) This is where your microwave and crockpot come into play! There are tons of wonderful recipes online that utilize these appliances. Best regards- Cheryl Report Spam or Abuse