RecipeChatter

How to Savor Summer: 8 Great Outdoor Meal Ideas

by

I really hate to say this, but summer is quickly coming to a close.  I can hardly believe it myself, especially because it’s been over 100 degrees here in the Midwest for the past several weeks, but the calendar doesn’t lie.  August is already here, the “back to school” ads have started taking over TV, and people are beginning to talk about their fall plans.

But you don’t have to say goodbye to summer just yet.  We still have at least one month left of beautiful, warm weather and the best way to celebrate the season, at least for me, is with food.  That’s why I’m planning of taking full advantage of August and feasting on some fabulous summer foods.  There are plenty of perfect summertime recipes that I’ve been collecting and just haven’t gotten around to making yet. Now that I’ve made a pact with myself to not let the rest of summer slip by, I’m getting really excited about finally making some of these great, summer-fresh dishes.

Are you looking to savor the last month of summer too?  Check out the recipes below and enjoy the great outdoors while munching on something tasty.  After all, that’s what summer is all about, right?

Great Grilling Recipes:

Easy Chicken Kabobs – Season your meat with a homemade mustard lemon sauce and then throw these puppies on the grill and have a relaxing drink while they cook.  Nothing says “summer cooking” quite like a super easy recipe for the grill.

Grilled Pork Chops with Mango Cucumber Salsa – Pork is one of the tastiest meats you can grill, and when you top it off with a refreshing fruit and veggie salsa like this you’ll be in summer dining heaven.  Even if this dish may seem a bit out of your comfort zone, try it and you may find a new favorite flavor combination!

 

Sensational Summer Salads:

Veggie & Black Bean Salad – Whether you’re having guests over for an outdoor potluck or are simply enjoying a quiet meal on your patio, this fresh and flavorful salad will add a punch of color to the dinner table. Just looking at the mix of vibrant colors in the bowl is sure to make you smile.  Take a look below… are you smiling yet?

Summer Bounty Pasta Salad, from Bibberche – A slightly tangy dressing, crisp fresh vegetables and perfectly cooked pasta… what more could you ask for on a warm summer afternoon?  There’s nothing quite like enjoying a refreshing summer pasta salad when the weather gets hot.

Lazy Day Lunches:

BLT Ranch Chicken Wraps, from Taste and Tell – Keep your lunch under wraps with this tasty recipe. Perfect to take along for a picnic or to stash in your lunch bag as you head off to work, this variation on a sandwich packs in all of the amazing flavor of a BLT but with a summer-spin makeover!

Miami Chicken Salad Sandwiches – These delectable sandwiches are named after one of the sunniest cities… and for good reason!  Chunky chicken salad dotted with crunchy celery and topped with sweet slices of mango, this is a sunny lunch idea you can whip up in just 15 minutes.

 

A Feast of Fruity Desserts:

Strawberry and Watermelon Cake, from Trissalicious – This dessert has two of the best summer fruits, so luckily you don’t have to make a tough choice between strawberry and watermelon. Enjoy the juicy sweetness of this amazing fruit pairing, and in the form of a moist and delicious cake no less!

Grilled Peaches with Marscapone Whip – If you’ve never used your grill for making dessert before, you’ve been missing out!  Try grilling some fresh peaches and topping them off with a homemade raspberry sauce for one of the ultimate summertime desserts. Yum!

Now that I’ve given you some menu ideas, are you ready to indulge the last month of summer?  I hope so, because there’s a lot of tasty food to enjoy while the weather’s still warm!

So tell me:  What’s on your August menu?

 

Latest posts by RecipeLion (see all)
abc123

Appetizers

Casseroles

Desserts

Healthy

Copycat Recipes

Slow Cooker