With summer just around the corner, graduation parties, holiday cookouts and picnics will be in full swing in a matter of weeks. If you need something to go with the old standbys (hotdogs and hamburgers, that is), here are some great summer recipes from AllRecipes.com to enjoy under the sun.
Traditional Potato Salad
Serving Size: 12
Ingredients
5 pounds red potatoes
6 eggs
2 cups mayonnaise
1 onion, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain, cool and cut into cubes.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
3. In a large bowl, combine chopped potatoes and eggs. Mix together mayonnaise, chopped onion, green onion, green pepper, and celery. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well. Cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Serving Size: 8
Ingredients
1 (20 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained
1 (15 ounce) can unsweetened dark sweet cherries, drained
1 1/2 cups cubed cantaloupe
1 1/2 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1 1/2 cups cubed honeydew
DRESSING:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Combine the fruit in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients; pour over fruit and toss to coat. Serve immediately with a slotted spoon.
Honey Chicken Kabobs
Serving Size: 12
Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 1 inch cubes
2 cloves garlic
5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
skewers
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken to the mixture, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking.
2. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least two hours (the longer the better).
3. Preheat the grill for high heat.
4. Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
5. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.
And a recipe of my own…
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
Serving Size Varies
Ingredients
Cookie – flavor of your choice
Ice Cream – flavor of you choice
Directions
Choose the cookie and ice cream flavors to suit your taste buds. My favorite is chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream, but experiment with your favorites.
Bake the cookies a few hours before you plan to use them so they have enough time to cool – otherwise they’ll melt the ice cream instantly.
Place a scoop of ice cream in between two cookies. You can eat them right away or freeze them overnight for a more solid sandwich.
With any of these tasty treats, you will surely make your friends and family drool this summer. Enjoy warm days by the pool with any of these snacks!