Summer is one of my favorite times of year for cooking. I love the fresh, colorful and healthy dishes that use up all the best summer produce. As the Fourth of July approaches, I wanted to share a few summer recipes that you can bring to parties, picnics or get togethers. These oldies, but goodies will impress anyone at the table!
Grilled Pizza
If you haven’t tried grilling pizza yet, you need to add it to the top of your summer bucket list. It’s my favorite way to elevate pizza into a summer entertaining dish. The dough gets beautiful char marks and you can add any of your favorite toppings. Corn, lemon and basil is such a fresh combo for summer!
Fresh Hummus
If you’re in charge of the appetizers at a party, homemade hummus is the perfect dip to bring. It’s always a crowd favorite and is so easy to whip up with things you have in your kitchen. Customize the basic base with any flavors like roasted red pepper, beet, cilantro jalapeño, or more. Don’t forget to serve with colorful veggies, crackers and pita bread.
Panzanella Salad
If you happen to have crusty bread leftover from the weekend and fresh produce that’s bursting with freshness, they’re both calling for a panzanella salad. I could eat the entire bowl of this salad! The bread soaks up all the juices from the dressing and veggies, the feta adds a salty bite and the basil brightens everything up!
Orange and Dried Cherry Couscous Salad
This salad would be perfect for a Fourth of July picnic. Make it ahead of time, store in a container and then bring out for the festivities! I used dried cherries, orange, cucumbers, feta and slivered almonds in this salad, but you could 100% use any dried fruit, nuts and produce you have on hand!
Microwave Strawberry Crisp
This crisp is a quick microwave dessert that tastes like it’s fresh out of the oven. If you’re looking for a quick dessert after a day outdoors, at the pool or hanging with friends, you could whip up a few of these crips in no time.
What’s on your menu for the Fourth of July?
Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela
So... what do you think?