The Perfect Summer Menu

By: Seri Roth (founder of Seri's Blog)

 

Drink- Watermelon Coolers

Ingredients:

4 cups watermelon cut in chunks

1 lime

Mint

Instructions:

Add watermelon, squeezed lime and a little water to vitamix or blender.

Blend well

Serve cold and garnish with fresh lime

Appetizer- Peach and Plum Gazpacho Soup

This colorful summer gazpacho can be served as an appetizer or dessert

Serves 6

Use a Vitamix or heavy-duty blender

Ingredients:

If possible use organic fruit

3 cups spring or filtered water

3 purple plums

3 white peaches

3 Nectarines

Handful fresh mint

Optional 1-2 TBL sugar

1 nectarine and mint for garnish

Instructions:

Cut fruit into chunks

Add water and all ingredients to Vitamix or blender

Start slow and increase to medium speed for 30-45 seconds so there are still some chunks of fruit.

Garnish each bowl with sliced nectarine on rim and sprig of mint in center

Main Dish- Peach Chicken

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 chicken cutlets

Seasoned Panko

1 Egg

2 ripe apricots pitted and cut in half (can substitute peaches)

Apricot jam

Instructions

Dip each cutlet in beaten egg

Dredge each side in flavored panko

Put half apricot in center

Fold over

Top with teaspoon jam

Bake 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes

Side Dish- Grilled Summer Vegetable Skewers

Grilled summer vegetables are not only delicious but add vibrant color to your summer meals.

Use an assortment of your favorite vegetables.

Tomatoes, onions, zucchini, squash, red and yellow peppers, mushrooms.

Make your own olive oil marinade with your favorite spices and herbs.

Mix together

Olive oil

Fresh rosemary

Fresh basil

Fresh Thyme

Garlic

Pinch of sage

Salt

Pepper

Cut vegetables into bite size pieces

Thread on skewer

Brush with marinade

Grill or roast in 400-degree oven for 10 minutes

Side Dish- Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob can be so much fun. You can brush with any of your favorite spices or marinades on corn to create a multitude of flavors to a summer traditional food.

If you have a sweet tooth you will absolutely love this!

Instructions:

Cook corn

On stovetop Melt 1/4 stick butter 

Add 1 TBL sugar

1tsp cinnamon

Mix together

Brush on hot corn,

Serve immediately

Dessert- No Bake Chocolate Strawberry Delight

Ingredients:

2-3 Packages Lady Fingers

12 Ounces Chocolate Bits

3 Eggs

1 Pint heavy Whipping Cream

Fresh strawberries

Instructions:

Melt chocolate bits in microwave for 3 minutes or on double boiler pot

Separate eggs

Optional add yolks (fork beaten) or just 1 yolk to melted chocolate

Add 1-3 TBL water if needed. Mix well

Beat Egg whites stiff

Fold into chocolate mixture

Whip cream (not too stiff)

Add 1-2 TBL sugar and teaspoon vanilla to taste

Layer the ladyfingers, Chocolate mixture, and Whip cream.

Repeat layers covering the entire top with sliced strawberries