Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Summertime Good Eats!

There are always recipes that I look forward to making every season.    If you couldn't tell by now, I really like categories, and food is definitely categorized (in my brain) by season.    And there are always those recipes that I forget about or don't remember to make until too late, and it's like I missed my chance.   Because, really, I mean who eats cucumber or tomato sandwiches in the winter?    Well, maybe my mom in law.  ;)  Maybe you do, too.   Or maybe you're thinking to yourself, "TOMATO SANDWICHES - that's just gross."   If you live above the Mason Dixon line, that might be your thought.   But take it from a southern girl, they are soooo good!   HOWEVER......

Today when I asked a college student if she was going on any more trips this summer, she said, "Well, I go back to school next week."    It gave me this race to the finish line feeling, that my window of opportunity to stuff all this yummy food into my mouth is almost gone!   So in response, today I made this:

7 Layer Salad  

(My mom used to make this and I always kind of forget about it.   But not this year!) 
layer in order in 8 x 8 (or however big you want to make it) and refrigerate.   serve chilled.

lettuce
celery (chopped)
red onion
cucumber (or green pepper)
peas (frozen works best)
mayo (sprinkled with sugar)
cheese
bacon

Here are some of my other summertime favs in no particular order:

- Peach Pie (my grandmothers recipe is the best in this entire WORLD)
- Rosemary Dill Potato Salad
- Chicken Salad Supreme (with bacon & pecans others pale in comparison!)
- South Sea Island Chicken Salad (so different, tropical and yummy!)
- Homemade Salsa with fresh cilantro
- Peaches and Cream
- Cantaloupe and Blueberries
- Seven Layer Salad
- Fried Chicken
- Pimento Cheese
- Tuna Salad
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Deviled Eggs
- Tomato Basil Tart
- Egg Salad
- Asian Slaw
- Lemon Squares

Anybody else have summer favorites that I should add to my list?   I'm glad I made my list....I have some that I still haven't gotten to.

4 comments:

Ainsley said...

Peach pie... yum. So you wanna share the recipe for south Sea Island Chicken Salad? Sounds fabulous!

Melissa said...

Sure I'll share. It is sooo good.

South Sea Island Chicken Salad

1/4 c. slivered almonds
3 c. cooked chopped chicken
1 16 oz. can of pineapple tidbits
1 c. diced celery
1/2 c. shredded carrot
1/2 c. mayo (i like dukes best)
1/4 c. sour cream
2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 tsp. salt
salad greens

Bake almonds in a shallow pan at 350 for 5-10 min. stirring occasionally.

Combine chicken and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl.

Whisk together mayo and next 4 ingredients. Pour the mayo mixture over the chicken mixture and toss to gently coat. Cover and chill.

Serve over salad greens and sprinkle with almonds.

SOOO GOOD! Especially in the summer. ;)

Melissa said...

i forgot to tell you to drain the pineapple. ok, that's all. btw - i served this at a shower, and most everyone wanted to recipe afterwards. it's a keeper for sure.

Amy Sasser said...

You are making me hungry! We need to get together soon over a fun summertime meal.