Summer Recipes

The warmer weather has arrived and that means fun in the sun and lots of outdoor entertaining for our family. I love the ease of outdoor entertaining. When else can the crumbs be taken away by the wind, where it is perfectly acceptable to eat on plastic plates, and where nature and the great outdoors can be the setting for any great party?

The best part about summer recipes is the ease of serving the perfect food with minimal preparation. The fruits and vegetables are at their peak, the grill can do all of the hard work of making any piece of meat or vegetable perfectly delicious, and everything can be made in a matter of minutes.

It is easy to rely on burgers and hot dogs for grilling out, but have you ever thought of switching things up and offering a fantastic meat-free meal that would satisfy even the biggest carnivore? Two of my new favorite summer recipes not only bring together two great meat-free options, but they also are deliciously Greek-inspired. No, this is definitely not the typical cookout fare, but that is what makes it so impressive!

A great starter or side to any meal is a dip with vegetables and crackers.This roasted red pepper dip recipe is an unexpected surprise instead of the traditional vegetable dips. Roasted red peppers are typically found in the condiment aisle and are a very inexpensive item to keep on hand in your pantry for a quick summer dish. They can be added to sandwiches, mixed into cold pasta salads, or pureed in the processor for a delicious summer dip. I love to pair these with fresh vegetables and Town House Crackers. This dish is not only perfect to entertain with, but will be a hit at any picnic guaranteed!

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Burgers don’t have to be boring and this Greek-inspired garlic cheeseburger recipe is not only delicious, but also very nutritious. Look to this fantastic recipe from the very famous Cat Cora for inspiration on new burger topping ideas. Cucumbers, olives, sprouts, gourmet cheeses, arugula, pesto, and many other out-of-the-box toppings can be a great addition to any burger. To help keep all of your guests happy and to make preparation easier, consider setting up a topping bar where everyone can make their own gourmet burger from a variety of toppings.

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