Summer Time Dinners

aeiou · 07-20-2006, 09:25 PM

What's your favorite summer time dinner to make?

Mine is a BLT (bacon, lettuce & tomato) sandwich and fresh corn on the cob. I start by toasting a couple of pieces of bread. Add a couple of large pieces of iceberg lettuce then a thick slice of tomato from a very large vine ripe tomato. Top with 3 or 4 slices of cooked bacon. I prefer to use thick sliced bacon. Corn on the cob is best from your local roadside farmer stand.

r8rpwr · 07-20-2006, 11:45 PM

Grilled chicken, grilled corn, some other fresh veggie, lots of iced tea.

We like to do BLT's too.

Or a grilled chicken Caesar (or cobb salad).

Mrs. Chipotle · 07-22-2006, 05:42 PM

Sometimes I'll make a big fruit salad and eat that for dinner.

Also we like to do kebabs (with lots of veggies) on the grill.

I make a cold pasta salad with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese in it (it's called supreme pizza pasta salad) that is quite hearty and a meal to itself, but refreshing since it's cold.

GregGraves · 07-22-2006, 06:19 PM

My favorite summer foods are cold crisp cucumber sliced with a ranch dressing dip, and garden fresh tomatoes.

For dinner, I'll go along and vote for the BLTs on wheat bread made with center cut bacon so there is less fat and a nice freshly made coleslaw that has a mix with lots of shredded carrots and not just a few pieces for color.

**Mama Mangia** · 07-23-2006, 06:54 AM

A great summer meal on those really hot and lazy days for me is a large antipasto! Assorted greens (romaine, iceberg, endive, spinach leaves, etc.), cukes, tomatoes, pepperoncini, banana pepper rings, carrot curls, assorted olives, celery, and a good combination of as much of the following as I want: diced hot ham, ham, cappicola, salami, pepperoni, soppressata, provolone, mozzarella, asiago, fontinella, fontina, topped with garbanzos or canellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, bell pepper rings, and a vinaigrette made from olive oil combined with either lemon juice, wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or white vinegar, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, basil or I just mix some of my dipping sauce (I love to dip crusty Italian bread in it!!) and I use that for my dressing with extra for dipping!! I always keep a jar of my dipping sauce ingredients in the cupboard and then I can just spoon it into my olive oil or vinaigrette!

My favorite summertime lunch has always been: homegrown tomatoes (roma or beefsteak) with onion, drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper and basil serve with crusty Italian bread. And if you mix it and let it sit on the counter for a bit, all those fabulous juices come out - what terrific flavor!! Better yet - cut a chuck of crusty Italian bread, cut in half horizontally and pile it on for the messiest and most delicious summer sandwich!

oldbay · 07-23-2006, 01:51 PM

Steamed crabs are my favorite summer meal. Steamed Crabs with corn on the cob, barbecued chicken, and hush puppies. Messy, but tasty

alice.b.toklas · 07-23-2006, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mama Mangia

My favorite summertime lunch has always been: homegrown tomatoes (roma or beefsteak) with onion, drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper and basil serve with crusty Italian bread. And if you mix it and let it sit on the counter for a bit, all those fabulous juices come out - what terrific flavor!! Better yet - cut a chuck of crusty Italian bread, cut in half horizontally and pile it on for the messiest and most delicious summer sandwich!

You're going after my heart, Mama. I can't wait for my tomato plants to start producing. I see the little suckers there waiting to turn red.

**Mama Mangia** · 07-23-2006, 08:03 PM

Alice - true confessions time!

You make a BIG bowl of tomtatoes and onions - too much to eat. Then you have to put it in the fridge for the next day. So you minced some fresh garlic and stir it in before putting it in the fridge.

Next day - pour mixture into skillet and fry! Serve on crusty Italian bread with a sprinkle (as generous as you want) of Italian mixed grated cheeses (Pecorino Reggiano, mozzarella, provolone and Asiago). And you can always pull the insides out of the bread and "fill" with the hot tomato mixture and grill to toast using either a griddle pan or a George Forman grill - panini style! And you can add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted peppers too!

aeiou · 07-23-2006, 09:30 PM

Mrs. Chipotle, your supreme pizza pasta salad sounds wonderfully delicious and easy to make for a summer time meal. Can you share the full recipe with us or is it a family secret (you will have to kill us if you tell us)?

Upennmama · 07-24-2006, 02:13 PM

Deviled eggs are a great thing to have- if you preboil the eggs it's pretty easy. Boiled eggs are generally a great thing to have on hand in hot weather, IMO.

Cold pasta salads are a favorite here, too.

Any kind of fresh spinach salad with nuts, cheese, and fruit is great.

Omelettes and toast.

Breakfast for dinner!