SUMMER Food Porn Tuesday!

SUMMER RECIPES

I'm all for yummy, brightly colored foods using veggies and fruits in the summertime. Summer usually makes me want lighter foods that don't heat up my kitchen or take too long to make...gotta have some lounge-time built into the summer right?

And fresh fruit that is so sweet it dribbled down your chin...amen I say!!!

Thought I'd share a few recipes I've seen around that got my tastebuds going....will be making these the next 2 weeks before we head out on our 15 day vacation starting July 9th.

Chili Lime Sweet Corn Salsa

Our local farmers market is promising fresh corn by next week...so I'm thinking

this would be a yummy side with some fresh, grilled fish.  Mmmmmm!

Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Spears

I make a zucchini dish that I make a lot (diced zucchini & onions sauteed then add mozz cheese on top) so I'm looking to expand my zucchini repertoire because I have a LOT of zucchinis growing in the garden. These look easy & yummy!

Caramelized Onion Quiche

Onions + Cheese = say no more.....sounds like good stuff to me and easy to cook up!

Caprese Stuffed Tomatoes

I love me some stuffed tomatoes....that's just good eating to me...especially when they are fresh 'maters!

Here's a few for ya in case you need variety like me ;)

Spinach, Mushroom & Brie Stuffed Tomatoes

Avocado & Chicken Stuffed Tomatoes

Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad

Yellow Bean & Mushroom Gratin

I am going to have a bumper crop of wax/yellow beans this summer and was looking for new recipes when I came across this.  Sounds sooooo good & easy to do!

Spaghetti with Basil Pesto

I'm growing a few herbs this summer as well and my basil has come in beautifully. I'm going to make this recipe and the one below with my fresh basil...should be yum yums!

Chicken with Basil Artichoke Sauce

Sounds yum right? I'll let you know.....

Creamy Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

I want to try this version on my spinach-strawberry salads this summer.

Looks good, sounds good!

Blackberry Cream Cupcake

And for a very sweet dessert, how about these?  I think I just drooled.....
I like little desserts...just enough to sweeten you up but not enough to stuff ya!

Are any of you growing some fresh veggies this summer?  What's your favorite veggie to eat and grow?

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing!

We here at the Dean house we love Ranch Dressing for dips and salads.  I like to make my own Ranch Dressing myself as I know EXACTLY what's in it and I try to use the freshest ingredients that I can if possible.

This is a recipe that started out from BH&G years ago and slowly got tweaked over the years to my taste...its all about taste so tweak and add as you like to make it your own. That to me is the most fun part of cooking to tweak things and make them become your own.  

Never be afraid to STRAY from the recipe I say!

So the recipe is below along with a link for a printable version of the recipe if you'd like!

Here are the ingredients...I forgot the Dijon mustard when I took the picture so forgive me ;)

And I didn't have fresh Parsley on hand so I used dried but rest of herbs were fresh!

It looks like a lot of ingredients (it is) but it seriously comes together in less than 15 mins...can't beat that even if you are in a rush!

Try to make it a day ahead if not at least a few hours to chill in the fridge!

Chives are hard to dice...just saying..get them as small as you can and then give up and toss 'em in and its all good!

Look at that yummy goodness coming together!  I press my garlic cloves through a garlic press (I like my Pampered Chef one) and then smashed it again on side of bowl with my fork.  You don't want huge chunks of garlic in your dressing trust me, even if you love garlic.

And there you have it...yummy homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing!

Printable Recipe Card Here

Let me know if you make this and try it! I love getting feedback!

Glad to hear those of you that made my Cherry Cola BBQ sauce gave it THREE thumbs up too!

Steak Me!

Steak Salad my Way!

 One of my favorite meals to make in the Spring and Summer is steak salad with potato crisps and crostini...YUMM-O-LICIOUS and not too heavy too.  And even better when the produce is fresh from the garden.

First I marinate my flank steak with salt, pepper, garlic and balsamic vinegar. I put it in a large ziploc bag for at least an hour to marinate and then its good to go.  I like to grill it outside and we like it medium rare...I like it more rare than most LOL but the center is ALWAYS warm!

Then you need some yummy parmesan cheese, lettuce and a lemon.  The lettuce is fresh from my garden and so sweet and crispy.  I buy chunks of parmesan cheese and shave it myself with my mandolin easily.  The lemon I will slice in half and just add a squirt over each salad.  So wash & spin your lettuce, shave enough parmesan for each person and slice a lemon in half.

You can find my Balsamic Dressing Recipe HERE!

Then you prepare your Crostini!  I don't make my own bread...the horrors I know...but I do buy fresh bread from my Wegman's bakery that is just as good.  I slice it into thin slices and lay them on my baking pan.   I use EVOO...that's extra virgin olive oil to brush on each slice nicely.  I use a silcone basting brush because there is NOTHING worse than brush hairs in or on your food...YUCK!

Then I sprinkle Sea Salt on each slice...just a bit...not too much though!  I also add a bit of cracked pepper to each slice as well.  Then its ready for the oven..I broil it for about 3-6 mins depending on how brown and crispy you like it.

I like the edges crispy and brown but the middle a bit soft!

Potato Crisps are super easy too:  

I slice my potatoes in thin slices on my mandolin, toss them with some Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic and Extra-Virgin Olive oil...and then bake for 45-50 mins turning them over halfway in between until they are nice and crispy. That's my lower fat version.  Some people toss them in flour, cheese and butter which is good I'm sure but this way is too and you save on the fat and calories.

Put it all together and YUM I tell ya!  Makes my heart sing!

Now that the tomatoes from the garden are ripe I will add them in next time!