Recipes: A Final Salute to Summer

Autumn might be right around the corner, but we aren’t quite ready to bid adieu to the lazy, hazy days of fun in the sun. With that in mind, we’re serving up a last hurrah and celebrating with the best menu from the summer of 2019.

Celebrate the end of summer with some fun cocktails and Margarita Madness!

Tomato, Cucumber & Pita Salad (above)

Ingredients

3 large pitas, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
4 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

Citrus Dressing

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

2) In a medium bowl, toss cut pita with olive oil and salt. Spread on prepared baking sheet and bake 10-15 minutes, until crisp. Set aside and let cool.

Tofu & Peach Salad Rolls

Ingredients

Peanut Sauce
½ cup smooth peanut butter
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp Sriracha sauce

Tofu Salad Rolls
1 (350g) pkg extra firm tofu, pat dry with paper towels, cut into 20 long, thin strips
2 tsp vegetable oil
10 round rice paper sheets
10 soft green lettuce leaves
2 large ripe peaches, thinly sliced
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
2 tsp black sesame seeds
1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and julienned

Directions

1) For the peanut sauce, in a medium bowl, whisk peanut butter, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil and Sriracha sauce together. Set aside.

7 Bean Salad

Ingredients

Lemon Dijon Dressing
6 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp champagne vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp lemon zest
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Seven Bean Salad
2 cups fresh green beans, ends snipped
1½ cups frozen edamame, thawed
2 cups snow peas
1 cup fresh green peas
1½ cups canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1½ cups baby lima beans, rinsed and drained
1½ cups white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp lemon zest
¼ tsp kosher salt, or more to taste

Directions

1) For the Lemon Dijon dressing, in a food processor or blender, combine olive oil, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, mustard seeds, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Pulse 2-3 times, until well combines. Set aside.

Chipotle Burgers with Creamy Coleslaw

Ingredients

Chipotle Burger
1½lbs ground beef
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
2 tsp adobo sauce
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Creamy Coleslaw
4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
2 tsp fresh lime juice
½ tsp adobo sauce
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Spicy Special Sauce
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup salsa
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp chili powder

4 hamburger buns
2 tomatoes, sliced
1 avocado, sliced

Directions

1) For the hamburger, preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place ground beef, chopped chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, salt, cumin and pepper in a large bowl. Mix all ingredients together using your hands, taking care not to handle the meat too much. Form the meat into 4-6oz. patties. Lightly oil the grilling surface and place patties on the preheated grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. Remove from grill.

Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

Ingredients

Lime Marinade
½ cup fresh lime juice
½ cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lime zest
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Creamy Russian Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sweet green relish
¼ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

18 slices rye bread
12 romaine lettuce leaves
12 avocado slices
12 crispy cooked bacon slices
12 vine-ripened tomato slices
Salt and pepper, to taste

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

2 large egg whites
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 lbs (about 4) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick strips

Creamy Lemon Dip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Homemade Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients

Chocolate Cookie Crust
½ cup butter
1¼ cups semi sweet chocolate
1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder, sifted
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp kosher salt
1½ cups sugar
2 eggs

Oreo Cookie Ice Cream
Oreo Cookies, coarsely chopped for garnish

Directions

1) For the chocolate cookie crust, preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2) In a microwave-safe dish, melt the butter and chocolate. Let cool. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until well combined. Whisk in melted chocolate and fold in flour mixture, just until flour disappears. Scoop 3 tbsp of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet, pressing dough down slightly. Bake for 10-11 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Using a round cookie cutter, cut the cookies to make 12 even circles.