Virginia Beach, Va

Contributed by Kimberley Cuachon-Haugh

Summer is like Christmas for any foodie. There is no better time of year to taste produce at its freshest and most flavorful. With that said, this is when many great and easy recipes come out of the closet. The following recipes are not only simple; they are delicious and are a great inspiration for future dishes.

Watermelon Salad

This recipe was inspired by a similar recipe from the Shelbourne Farms Cookbook.

2 large beefsteak tomatoes ( 4 roma tomatoes), chopped
1 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
2 cups of watermelon, cubed the same size as your tomatoes
1 tbsp of sea salt
2 tbsp of fresh mint (roughly 12 leaves), chopped

Directions:

1.Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss. Serve immediately. This is a very fresh salad and the flavor combination is exquisite.

Scandinavian Pasta Salad

This is a no fuss recipe that travels well and is low in fat. (Serves 2)

1 cup of whole wheat rotini pasta
1 can of tuna in water
½ cup of feta cheese, crumbled
1 small shallot, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp of capers, chopped
1/8 cup of fresh parsley (use half the amount if using dry) 1/8 cup of fresh dill (use half the amount if using dry)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.Cook the pasta until al dente and then allow it to cool. Do not rinse the pasta with water otherwise your dressing will slide right off the pasta.
2.Once the pasta has cooled add the tuna, feta cheese, shallot, herbs, capers, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
3.Marinate for 30 minutes to an hour. Then check for seasoning and moisture, as your dressing would have partially absorbed into the pasta. If so, toss in some more extra virgin olive oil and a quick squeeze of lemon juice.

Adult Fruit Pops

This recipe is a fun and smart way to use up left over fruit.

Sliced fruit
Alcohol that compliments your fruit i.e. pineapple and coconut rum; cantaloupe and vodka Popsicle sticks

Directions:

1.Slice your fruit thick enough to allow it to be punctured securely with a popsicle stick.
2.Marinade your fruit in the alcohol for at least 2 hours. Use Ziploc© bags.
3.Remove your fruit from their marinades, transfer them to a parchment paper lined tray, and freeze overnight.

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Quick and Easy Summer Recipes

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