Here are some fun easy summer recipes to enjoy:
Easy Grilled Skewered Shrimp
- 1 lb. peeled and deveined LARGE shrimp – leave the tail on or off – up to you
- Two tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning or Cajun – depending on what you’re in the mood for
- 6-8 wooden skewers
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Directions:
Mix lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning in a large plastic zip lock bag
Once the ingredients are combined, add the cleaned shrimp to the bag
Marinate for minimum of 15 minutes up to 2 hours
Thread the shrimp on to skewers (trust me it’s the easiest way to cook them)
Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side
Or broil for 2-3 minutes on each side
Serve with lemon wedges
Greek Chicken Kabobs
- 1 & 1/4 lb. boneless chicken breast cut into 2 inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red pepper, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces – you can use green bell peppers but they don’t always “agree” with people
- 1 red onion cut into 1 inch pieces
- 6-8 wooden skewers
Combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, garlic and black pepper in a bowl or zip lock bag, add chicken and marinate overnight.
When ready to cook, alternate chicken, onion, pepper on skewer
If grilling – cook 5 minutes on each side
If broiling – cook 8-10 minutes on each side
Dipping Sauce:
You can either make this yourself or buy a pre-made Tzatziki sauce—you can usually find it where they sell humus (Cesar’s Food is the brand I use), Green Goddess dressing, or any kind of yogurt dill dressing.
If you’re ambitious here’s how to make it yourself:
- 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup minced cucumber
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- Optional garnishes: lemon wedges chopped parsley
Watermelon for Grownups
And…no summer picnic wouldn’t be complete without watermelon. But here’s an “adult” version.
- One round “sugar” watermelon
- 2 cups vodka
- Cut a 4-5 inch hole in the top
- Using a paring knife chop the inside of the watermelon to make it chunky
- Add 2 cups vodka
- Fresh mint – pick just before serving
- Put the watermelon in a bowl or a pan so it doesn’t leak all over, chill overnight in refrigerator
Scoop out the watermelon chunks and add 1 cup to a blender
Mix on high adding more watermelon as it emulsifies
Once it’s frothy, pour into an appropriate glass and garnish with fresh mint.
Cheers!