For the most part of summer food isn't really on my radar. For starters I live in Alabama which means it's HOT and even better is that it's HUMID. Seriously there are days where the air is so thick and heavy it feels like you can reach out and grab handfuls of it. Then there's the whole fact that school is out. For the older kids it's not a big deal as they're pretty self-sufficient but the Tornado earned his nickname so our days are BUSY. So after a full day at the pool or hiking or entertaining an incredibly active 5 year old the last thing I want to think about is food and with hours of being hot and sticky eating isn't high up on my priority list either.
The only exception is July 4th when for some reason I suddenly look forward to planning a meal again. This summer we'll be making some of my summer favorites and I thought I'd share.
Just to have about throughout the day we'll have:
Microwave Chex Mix - Because it's super easy and I'm pretty sure my husband and brother would mutiny if this wasn't around!
Also, Crack Dip. I made this a month or two ago and it was SO good. I've been wanting more ever since and what's the point of being in charge of the kitchen if you can't do what you want periodically?
For the main meal we're going to have Steak marinated with this marinade recipe. We've never had this before but the title is Best Steak Marinade in Existence so it's worth a try!
We'll also be grilling corn and my sister-in-law is bringing Potato Salad and Baked beans because hers are the best.
I figure I'll do my old standby Roll recipe. These are delicious and pretty easy for a yeast bread recipe. I do half the recipe because the full recipe will feel about 20 people
For dessert I have a bunch of peaches from a nearby orchard so I'm going to try out this recipe for Peach cobbler served with vanilla ice cream. And for the weirdos that don't like peach cobbler I'm going to make Rice Krispies Treats because I'm not sure there is anything better than homemade Rice Krispies treats!
So that's how we'll be celebrating today! What are your plans? And what are your favorite summer foods?
I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads
Crack dip! That's awesome- with a name like that it must be good! Hope you guys have a fabulous 4th and enjoy all the food!
ReplyDeleteOh it's so ridiculously good!! I add about a teaspoon of bacon grease for extra flavor and there's never any left!
DeleteHappy 4th my American friend! :D
ReplyDeleteThe humidity also does not make me want to eat. When I'm hot I can't think about eating anything. Except ice cream. But that's always the exception. Summer is definitely the time of year for lighter foods. I love me a good BBQ. But fruit and corn on the cob is my go to. Delicious. And time sensitive. Gotta eat as much as I can for the the few months they're around.
Happy reading!
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
Happy belated Canada Day to my Canadian friend! I love corn though my absolute favorite of the summer crops is peaches.
DeleteI didn't know you can make Chex mix in the microwave - I'm going to check that out now!
ReplyDeleteYou can and it's super easy and good too! It's so much quicker than the oven method but you don't lose out on the flavor
DeleteYummmm. Can I come over?? That crack dip looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely! I'll save you a seat!
DeleteYum! I hear you on the heat and humidity. I'm a FL girl and now in NC and unfortunately it's no better here in NC and this year we've been hotter than back home in FL multiple times. *flails*
ReplyDeleteGrilled corn sounds perfect! I love slaw and baked beans in the Summer. Trying to think what else. I guess I don't have any big ones. I do love some watermelon though. Mmm. Hope yall have a great 4th!
Yep NC definitely has it's share of humidity. I do love watermelon during the summer. So perfect for really hot days!
DeleteYum! I approve of your menu. ;-) My husband made a blueberry pie from berries we picked last weekend. I can't wait to dig in! Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteA blueberry pie sounds amazing! I haven't had any in far too long. I love blueberry cobbler and muffins too!
DeleteWe were in your state just yesterday! I wrote on Squirrel Head Manor about our little trip. You are correct - the air is hot and humid and you can grab it.
ReplyDeleteWe are grilling and hoping to avoid more thunderstorms. We'll see :-)
We've had rain on and off all day. Hopefully your weather was better than ours today! I used to have family in Dothan but I haven't been in years. I've heard it's a lovely town though.
DeleteI'm with you in not wanting to cook. Toooooo hot, and now I'm thinking of getting a slow cooker so it won't heat up the kitchen even more in case I do want to cook something. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteI always think of slow cookers for winter food with stews and roasts but I really need to reconsider using it more during the summer
DeleteWe went to our first parade as a family and rode our bikes around the lake. Just finished lunch. Nothing special for dinner except leftovers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day! I love parades and a family bike ride sounds like fun!
DeleteFunny, though our climate is exactly alike, we are complete opposites when it comes to cooking in the summer...summer is my favorite time to cook!
ReplyDeleteCobbler and rolls and marinaded steak...yum!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2015/07/eight-hundred-grapeswith-giveaway.html
That is funny! Maybe I will like it better when I don't have little kids but for now the last thing I want do in July is cook!
DeleteYou're a good person to do all that cooking in this weather. We spent the day water skiing and wake boarding (the kids, I read my book) and had sandwiches, fruit and every kind of chip available at the store I think! Off to the fireworks soon.
ReplyDeleteYour method sounds pretty good! Much more time for having fun. Hope you enjoyed the fireworks!
DeleteHappy 4th July - it is mid winter here so heat is not the issue! Cheers from Carole's Chatter!
ReplyDeleteI always have such a hard time getting my mind around the season difference. Stay warm!
DeleteIt sounds absolutely delicious, Katherine! (Can I come over? LOL) We're skipping the fireworks tonight because it's raining - thundering some as well. And we're just having leftovers for dinner. But we'll try to stream the fireworks from somewhere, later this evening - and if not, we'll watch 1776!
ReplyDeleteWe got the fireworks in between the rain but it was touch and go for a bit. I do wish we could have a big book blogger party. Wouldn't that be such fun!
DeleteIt really would!
DeleteGreat menu! We had a yummy potluck at my sister-in-law's house -- shredded chicken in a spicy sauce on buns, pasta salad, fruit salad, green salad, and a terrific dessert made by the new niece-in-law -- a layered ice cream cake!
ReplyDeleteYum! It definitely sound like a delicious menu and nice and light. I'm intrigued by the layered ice cream cake. I'll have to look into that!
DeleteHope you had a wonderful family dinner-- sounds so yummy and good. I love this type of food- potato salad, baked beans, fruit pie... wish I was there with you :) Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe had a good time and everything turned out really well. I do wish you had been here! Wouldn't it be fun to have a big book blogger party!
DeleteIf you're in Florida you definitely understand humidity! I know we don't get the hottest temperatures but I'm pretty sure we are in the running for most miserable!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I miss about my ex mother-in-law is her heavenly potato salad, which she won't give the recipe for (to anyone, not just me, lol). I know it has super finely chopped green olives in it. I need to get serious about trying to figure out the ingredients. I love watermelon, but the two I have gotten so far this year have been all but flavorless. I am going to buy one from the farmers market, when they are in season, to see if there is a difference. I have never attempted yeast rolls before, so I think I might give your recipe a whirl on Labor Day. :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I just made a version of your Crack Dip tonight to have with chips. (I indulge in the summer way too much) My version is an Epicure Dip called Bacon,Cheddar and Chive dip that I mix with 50/50 mayo and sour cream. Looks similar, - mine is also addictive, and tastes better after sitting in the fridge. Unfortunately since I'd forgotten about the dip mix since last summer, mine only sat for 30 seconds before I scarfed in down.
ReplyDelete