5 Scrumptious Seasonal Recipes

There are so many things I love about spring and summer, but two of my favorites are being able to eat outside and the abundance of delicious seasonal food. Cookouts, pool parties, and outdoor dining make spring and summer the perfect time for trying new recipes. Whether it’s bright fruits like strawberries and peaches, or green vegetables like asparagus and spinach, the rainbow of food available during these seasons is gorgeous and good for you! In order to make the most out of your grocery shopping, here are 5 yummy recipes to help you take a tasty bite out of the warmer weather!
 

1. Goldilocks Cocktail
 
What better way to start off a meal than with a refreshing and tasty cocktail? This blend of rum and fruit juice will have you feeling fine and ready for a beach vacation!
 
You will need:
1 measure/1.5 tbsp dark rum
1 measure/1.5 tbsp Malibu rum
3 measures/4.5 tbsp pineapple juice
2 measures/3 tbsp orange juice
 
Mix together and drink up!
 
2. Fresh Avacado Salsa
 
This salsa recipe is seriously to die for! Not only is it vivid in color, it is super easy to make and is always a crowd pleaser. Make it for a cookout or potluck…(or just to snack on) and you’re good to go!
 
You will need:
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
½ container cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado
3 chopped scallions
Juice of 2 limes
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
salt/pepper to taste
 
Combine limejuice, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and whisk together. Pour over vegetables, serve with chips, and have a fiesta!
 

3. Mediterranean Pasta
 
The following light and easy dish is so simple (don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients) and so delicious. Take advantage of ripe red tomatoes and fresh leafy greens with this amazing pasta.
 
You will need:
1 lb of shrimp (frozen works!)
12 oz linguine noodles,
1 cup pasta water (save it!)
1 red onion
3 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves,
1 ½ pints grape tomatoes
½ cup pitted black olives (optional)
1 T fresh flat leaf parsley (dried works)
8 oz feta cheese
3 cups baby spinach
 
Boil 12 oz. linguine for 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 c. cooking water. Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and sauté 1 medium red onion (thinly sliced) with 3 cloves of minced garlic until tender. Add in 1 ½ pints grape tomatoes (halved) and 1/2 cup pitted black olives. (I leave out the olives just because I’m not a fan!) Sautee the tomatoes until they are wilted- about 5 minutes. Add 1 lb. large shrimp, pitted and deveined.
 
Return pasta to the large pot with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Add the tomato and shrimp mixture. Stir in 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach, 1 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, and 8 oz. feta cheese. Toss until spinach wilts. If needed, add more water until pasta is moist and saucy and enjoy!

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4. Pioneer Woman’s BBQ Chicken Pizza (a CPK knockoff)
 
When I think of spring and summer, BBQ is one of the first things that comes to mind! Whether it’s chicken, pizza, pork, or sauce, as a Carolina girl, I love it all! Get into the summer spirit with a mouthwatering slice of BBQ heaven.
 
You will need:
1 roll of pizza dough
1 ball of fresh mozzarella
1 onion
Fresh parsley
2 chicken breasts
Favorite BBQ sauce
 
To begin, preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and place 2 chicken breasts in an oven-safe dish. Then take your favorite BBQ sauce or marinade and pour it over the chicken. Next, coat and salt both sides of the chicken.  (You could also buy a rotisserie chicken and cover it in BBQ sauce if you want a shortcut!) Grab the red onion and cut it into slices. Next, cut the mozzarella into thin slices and dice up the cooked chicken. Before you start layering, check the crust directions to check if you have to preheat etc. Now it’s time to layer the crust with mozzarella, chicken, red onion, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce! Cook the pizza according to crust directions and then top with fresh parsley and…Stuff your face!
 
5. Blueberry Banana Pie
 
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE fruit. I know it may sound strange, but this pie is a birthday staple at my house and it’s perfect for warmer weather. Combining two of my favorite things (blueberries and bananas) this pie just can’t be beat!
 
You will need:
Two graham cracker piecrusts
2-3 bananas
2 pkgs of Dream Whip
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling
A little bit of lemon juice
 
Slice bananas lengthwise into pie shells–sprinkle with lemon juice. Prepare 2 packages of Dream Whip per directions on the package. Mix 8 oz. cream cheese (softened) with 1 cup sugar. Add cream cheese mixture to Dream Whip. Spoon ½ can blueberry pie filling over bananas on each pie. Top with Dream Whip mixture. Chill until your pie is cool and ready to eat!  (And now you have an extra one to take to a friend!) 

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I have, now get cookin’!

Photos from: here and here