It’s the time of the year when we get to enjoy fresh, local produce. If you’re doing some outdoor entertaining this summer, these recipes are a great way to help make things memorable for you and your guests. Each recipe uses produce that is fresh in the summer season, meaning you get to enjoy the flavors at their very best. With this list of recipes, you can spend less time planning and more time with great food and conversation.
Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip
Watermelon is an essential of summer! If you want to serve something a bit more exciting than the typical fruit tray at your next party, this is a great dish to try. These easy-to-dip watermelon fries are cool and refreshing, but also have a nice kick to them. They’re a perfect healthy treat for a hot day!
- 1 small seedless watermelon
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Optional: shredded coconut
Mix spices together in small bowl.
Cut watermelon into small fry-like strips (make sure you remove the rind).
Place watermelon fries in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Squeeze 1/2 of a lime over the fries and gently toss to coat them. Pour in spice mix and gently toss again. Lay your coated fries out on a serving platter or plate.
In a small dip bowl, mix yogurt, coconut milk, honey, and 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice. Top the dip with 1 teaspoon lime zest (you can also top with shredded coconut if you prefer). Serve cool!
Spicy fridge pickles
Did you know you can make your own pickles without having to can them? Pickles are great any time of the year, but during summer, when the local cucumbers are fresh, you get a taste and crunch that are unmatched. These spicy pickles are great for a snack (or on a hamburger if cut into chips) and the amount of spices used can be completely adjusted to match your own taste. The brine in this recipe should make 2-4 jars of pickles, depending on your jar size.
Brine:
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons pickling salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Pickles:
Note: ingredients listed per jar
- Pickling cucumbers
- 1/2 jalapeno
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 whole garlic cloves (peeled and lightly smashed with a knife)
- 7 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- Optional for extra heat: 1-2 tabasco peppers
Chop pickling cucumbers into spears (or small chips).
Fill each jar with the jalapeño, crushed red pepper, garlic, dill, and peppercorns.
Add the cucumber spears to the jar (leave a little room for brine).
Pour all the brine ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
Once the sugar and salt dissolve, remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Pour the brine over the cucumber spears, covering them completely.
Seal with an airtight lid and place in the refrigerator overnight.
NOTE: Pickles should be ready to eat after 24 hours, but to get the best taste, I recommend refrigerating them for a week before eating. They should then be good for at least an additional 6 weeks.
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Berries are another staple of summer! This blackberry bourbon smash is a simple recipe for summer parties that your guests are sure to love. If you want to save time, the syrup can be made ahead and chilled. This drink is also delicious garnished with mint or lime, so be sure to give that a try!
Blackberry syrup:
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup sugar (can substitute with 1/2 cup honey)
Blackberry bourbon smash:
- 2 oz. blackberry syrup
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 2 blackberries (plus more for garnish)
- Small splash of lime juice
Bring all syrup ingredients to a boil.
Let boil for 6 minutes before pouring syrup into a storage jar through a fine mesh strainer. Let cool.
In a short tumbler, muddle the two blackberries before topping with the syrup, bourbon, and splash of lime juice.
To cool the drink down, top the mixture with ice before rolling into another glass then back to the tumbler. Serve cool.
