Source: Closetcooking.com

Recipes for an Extended Weekend Summer Getaway

# A Definitive Manual for Summer Getaway Extended Weekend Dishes

The initial summer break is nearly upon us, and what better way to rejoice than with an abundance of delectable cuisine! When the climate is pleasant, resisting the call to the outdoors is a challenge. Whether you’re barbecuing, enjoying a picnic, or simply relishing a meal in your garden, you’ll desire some scrumptious recipes. Here’s a manual for quick, simple, hassle-free, and flavorful summer dishes that will ensure your extended weekend is unforgettable.

## Grilled Main Courses

### 1. Traditional Burgers
– **Ingredients**: Ground beef, salt, pepper, cheese slices, burger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles.
– **Instructions**: Shape patties, season with salt and pepper, grill to preferred doneness, add cheese, and serve on buns with toppings.

### 2. BBQ Chicken
– **Ingredients**: Chicken pieces, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper.
– **Instructions**: Season chicken, grill until fully cooked, brush with BBQ sauce, and grill for a few additional minutes.

### 3. Fish Tacos on the Grill
– **Ingredients**: White fish fillets, taco seasoning, corn tortillas, cabbage slaw, lime wedges.
– **Instructions**: Season fish, grill until flaky, serve in tortillas with slaw and lime.

### 4. Smoked Ribs
– **Ingredients**: Pork ribs, dry rub, BBQ sauce.
– **Instructions**: Apply dry rub, smoke ribs until tender, finish with BBQ sauce.

## Accompaniments

### 1. Coleslaw
– **Ingredients**: Cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper.
– **Instructions**: Shred cabbage and carrots, combine with remaining ingredients, chill before serving.

### 2. Grilled Corn on the Cob
– **Ingredients**: Corn, butter, salt, pepper.
– **Instructions**: Grill corn until charred, coat with butter, season with salt and pepper.

### 3. Caprese Salad
– **Ingredients**: Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze.
– **Instructions**: Layer tomatoes and mozzarella, sprinkle with basil, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

### 4. Potato Salad
– **Ingredients**: Potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, salt, pepper.
– **Instructions**: Boil potatoes, combine with remaining ingredients, chill before serving.

## Sweets

### 1. Berry Parfait
– **Ingredients**: Mixed berries, yogurt, granola.
– **Instructions**: Layer berries, yogurt, and granola in a glass.

### 2. Grilled Peaches
– **Ingredients**: Peaches, honey, cinnamon.
– **Instructions**: Halve peaches, grill until soft, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.

### 3. Ice Cream Sandwiches
– **Ingredients**: Cookies, ice cream.
– **Instructions**: Put a scoop of ice cream between two cookies, freeze until solid.

## Refreshments

### 1. Lemonade
– **Ingredients**: Lemons, sugar, water.
– **Instructions**: Squeeze lemons, combine with sugar and water, chill before serving.

### 2. Iced Tea
– **Ingredients**: Tea bags, sugar, lemon slices.
– **Instructions**: Brew tea, add sugar, chill, serve with lemon slices.

### 3. Fruit Punch
– **Ingredients**: Mixed fruit juices, soda water, fresh fruit slices.
– **Instructions**: Combine juices, add soda water, garnish with fruit slices.

No matter your plans for the holiday, ensure it is abundant with delectable food! Savor the sunshine and delightful tastes of summer with these simple and hassle-free recipes.

Reuben-Style Pasta Salad with Corned Beef and Sauerkraut

Reuben Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 12

A delicious pasta salad infused with the flavors of reuben sandwiches!

ingredients

directions

1. Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water until it is cooled.
2. Combine the pasta, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dill pickle.
3. Toss the salad with the dressing and enjoy!

Option: Incorporate 1 tablespoon sauerkraut brine.
Option: Incorporate 1 tablespoon pickle brine.

Salad featuring Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Dressing

**Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad: A Timeless Flavor Pairing**

Chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing form a trio that has gained popularity as a cherished flavor pair for many. This timeless blend is not only flavorful but also adaptable, making it an ideal selection for a filling and fulfilling salad.

**Ingredients and Preparation**

The base of this salad is chicken, which can be cooked in a variety of methods. For an added kick of flavor, think about using ranch grilled chicken. This involves marinating chicken breasts in ranch seasoning prior to grilling them to perfection. Nonetheless, any cooked and sliced or shredded chicken is just as effective.

The salad itself features a combination of fresh ingredients: crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, smooth avocado, crispy bacon, and zesty onions. These elements come together to forge a well-rounded and tasty dish.

**The Highlight: Ranch Dressing**

The centerpiece of the Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad is undoubtedly the ranch dressing. A homemade ranch dressing, prepared with fresh herbs, can enhance the salad remarkably. However, if you’re short on time, a high-quality store-bought ranch dressing will suffice.

**Conclusion**

Whether you are seeking a quick lunch or a light dinner, the Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad is a delightful option. Its mixture of textures and flavors results in a satisfying meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Sweet Potatoes Filled with BBQ Chicken and Mexican Street Corn Salad

**BBQ Chicken and Mexican Street Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potatoes**

Stuffed sweet potatoes are an enjoyable and adaptable dish that can be tailored to fit different tastes and preferences. One especially tasty variation features filling tender roasted sweet potatoes with smoky BBQ chicken, melted cheese, and a lively Mexican street corn salad. This mix not only provides an explosion of flavors but also creates a visually striking and fulfilling meal.

**Ingredients:**

– Sweet potatoes
– BBQ chicken
– Cheese (your choice, like cheddar or mozzarella)
– Fresh corn
– Butter
– Jalapeno
– Green onion
– Cilantro
– Mayonnaise
– Lime juice
– Cayenne pepper
– Salt and pepper
– Optional toppings: pickled red onions, guacamole, coleslaw

**Instructions:**

1. **Roast the Sweet Potatoes:**
Start by preheating your oven and roasting the sweet potatoes until they’re soft. This typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on their size.

2. **Prepare the BBQ Chicken:**
While the sweet potatoes are roasting, prepare the BBQ chicken. You can either use store-bought BBQ chicken or make your own by grilling or baking chicken breasts and coating them with your preferred BBQ sauce.

3. **Make the Mexican Street Corn Salad:**
– In a skillet, char fresh corn kernels with a little butter until they have a slight brown color.
– Combine chopped jalapeno, green onion, and cilantro.
– Incorporate mayonnaise, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper according to taste. Mix everything together until well blended.

4. **Assemble the Stuffed Sweet Potatoes:**
– After the sweet potatoes are cooked, cut them open and gently mash the inner flesh.
– Fill each sweet potato with BBQ chicken and top with cheese. Return them to the oven briefly to melt the cheese.
– Spoon the Mexican street corn salad over the melted cheese.

5. **Add Optional Toppings:**
Elevate the dish with extra toppings like pickled red onions, guacamole, or coleslaw for added flavor and texture.

This recipe is ideal for savoring fresh summer corn and can be modified to include your preferred ingredients. Whether enjoyed as a main dish or a side, these BBQ chicken and Mexican street corn salad stuffed sweet potatoes are bound to impress with their rich tastes and colorful display.

Tasty Dishes for Summer Cuisine

**The Ultimate Summer Recipes: Simple and Quick Ways to Savor the Season’s Harvest**

Summer brings a burst of colors, delightful tastes, and gatherings under the sun. With the arrival of summer signaling the start of a time filled with heat and brightness, it’s an ideal moment to dive into recipes that showcase the finest summer ingredients. Whether you’re organizing a picnic, hosting a barbecue, or just trying to stay cool, these recipes will surely please.

**1. Grilled Veggie Skewers**
An essential element for any summer cookout, grilled veggie skewers are vibrant and appetizing. Just thread your preferred summer veggies such as bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onions onto skewers. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until tender. Pair with tzatziki sauce for a cool dip.

**2. Watermelon Feta Salad**
This invigorating salad merges the juicy sweetness of watermelon with the sharpness of feta cheese. Dice fresh watermelon and mix it with crumbled feta, fresh mint leaves, and a splash of balsamic glaze. This dish is ideal for staying refreshed on a sweltering summer day.

**3. Caprese Pasta Salad**
A variation on the traditional Caprese salad, this pasta adaptation is wonderful for picnics. Cook your chosen pasta and allow it to cool. Incorporate cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, seasoning with salt and pepper. Mix everything together for a straightforward yet tasty dish.

**4. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken**
For a dish rich in protein, soak chicken breasts in a blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Grill the chicken until fully cooked and accompany with grilled corn on the cob for a complete meal.

**5. Berry and Peach Crisp**
Make the most of summer fruits with this simple dessert. Combine sliced peaches and assorted berries in a baking dish. Top with a concoction of oats, brown sugar, flour, and butter. Bake until the topping turns golden and the fruit is bubbling. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an added delight.

**6. Chilled Cucumber Mint Soup**
For a refreshing starter, blend cucumbers, Greek yogurt, fresh mint, and a dash of lime juice until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator and serve cold. This soup is a revitalizing beginning to any summer feast.

**7. Mango Salsa Shrimp Tacos**
Light and tasty, shrimp tacos are a summertime favorite. Sauté shrimp with chili powder and lime juice. Serve in corn tortillas topped with a mango salsa made from chopped mango, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.

These recipes not only honor the wealth of summer produce but also maximize the joy of outdoor cooking and dining. Whether you’re savoring a meal on the patio or packing a picnic for the park, these dishes will undoubtedly elevate your summer enjoyment. Relish the season’s harvest and the pleasure of outdoor cooking and dining!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich accompanied by Monterey Jack Cheese

Monterey Chicken Sandwich

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4

An appetizing sandwich featuring BBQ chicken, gooey cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato!

ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced thinly or diced
• 2 tablespoons oil (or mayonnaise)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 8 strips bacon
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 4 slices cheese (cheddar, jack, etc.)
• 4 buns or 8 slices of bread (gluten-free for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional)
• 4 leaves lettuce
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

directions

1. Soak the chicken in a blend of oil, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne, covered, in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to overnight.
2. Fry the bacon in a large skillet and then place it on paper towels to drain while removing any excess fat from the pan.
3. Sauté the chicken in the skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, roughly 10-15 minutes.
4. Stir in the BBQ sauce.
5. Top with cheese slices and allow them to melt before switching off the heat.
6. Build the sandwiches using buns, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, and chicken, and enjoy!

Option: Include 1 sliced avocado.

Frittata featuring Asparagus and Dill

Frittata with Asparagus and Dill

Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Overall Time: 30 minutes Portions: 6

A delicious and light frittata featuring cottage cheese, asparagus, and dill!

ingredients

• 8 large eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese)
• 8 ounces asparagus, cleaned and sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

directions

1. Combine the eggs, cottage cheese, parmesan, asparagus, dill, green onions, salt, and pepper, then pour into an oven-safe pan that is 8-10 inches wide.
2. Bake in an oven preheated to 375F/190C until the eggs firm up, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Alternative: Swap cottage cheese for heavy cream or crumbled goat cheese (chevre), feta, chopped/diced cheddar, chopped/diced gruyere, chopped/diced havarti, etc.
Alternative: Incorporate 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.

Tasty and Inventive Strawberry Dishes

**The Ultimate Recipes for Savoring Fresh Summer Strawberries**

Summer presents an ideal opportunity to relish the sweet, succulent pleasure of fresh strawberries. As the season reaches its zenith, supermarkets and farmers’ markets overflow with these striking red berries, making it the prime time to dive into a selection of recipes that showcase their adaptability. Whether you prefer something sweet or savory, strawberries can take center stage in any dish. Here are some quick and effortless recipes to maximize your summer strawberry enjoyment.

**Sweet Strawberry Dishes**

1. **Strawberry Shortcake**: This timeless summer treat features layers of light biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Just slice the strawberries and dust them with a little sugar to boost their inherent sweetness. Sandwich them between homemade or store-bought biscuits, finishing with a generous spoonful of whipped cream.

2. **Strawberry Ice Cream**: For a cool delight, blend fresh strawberries with cream, sugar, and a hint of vanilla. Process the blend in an ice cream maker for a rich, homemade strawberry ice cream that’s ideal for warm summer afternoons.

3. **Strawberry Smoothie**: Kick off your morning with a wholesome strawberry smoothie. Blend strawberries with yogurt, a banana, and a splash of orange juice for a quick and nutritious breakfast option.

**Savory Strawberry Dishes**

1. **Strawberry Spinach Salad**: Mix fresh spinach leaves with sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, and toasted almonds. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing salad that harmonizes sweet and savory tastes.

2. **Strawberry Salsa**: Chop strawberries and combine them with diced red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. This lively salsa pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, offering a fruity twist to your meal.

3. **Strawberry Balsamic Pizza**: Layer a pizza crust with mozzarella cheese, fresh strawberries, and a splash of balsamic glaze. Bake until the cheese is bubbling and the crust turns golden. Top with fresh basil for a distinctive and delightful pizza experience.

**Breakfast and Snack Ideas**

1. **Strawberry Pancakes**: Incorporate diced strawberries into your pancake batter for a fruity take on a breakfast staple. Serve with maple syrup and additional strawberries on top.

2. **Strawberry Yogurt Parfait**: Stack Greek yogurt with granola and fresh strawberries for a speedy and healthy snack or breakfast choice.

3. **Strawberry Sandwich**: Spread cream cheese on whole-grain bread, layering with sliced strawberries and a dash of black pepper for a simple yet satisfying snack.

**Desserts and More**

1. **Chocolate-Covered Strawberries**: Coat fresh strawberries in melted chocolate for a simple yet elegant dessert. Allow them to cool on parchment paper until the chocolate sets.

2. **Strawberry Lemonade**: Blend strawberries with lemon juice, water, and sugar to taste for a refreshing summer beverage. Serve over ice with a lemon wedge.

3. **Strawberry Tart**: Fill a pre-baked tart shell with pastry cream and top with fresh strawberries for a stunning dessert that’s bound to impress.

These recipes highlight the extraordinary versatility of strawberries, enabling you to enjoy their sweet and tangy essence in various dishes. Whether prepping a quick snack or an elaborate dessert, fresh summer strawberries will undoubtedly enhance your culinary creations with flavor and color. Relish the season and savor every morsel!

Zesty Sautéed Crumbled Chicken with Bell Peppers and Nuts

Kung Pao Ground Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

An effortless and swift kung pao chicken featuring ground chicken, bell peppers, peanuts, chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns!

Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon oil
– 1 pound chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
– 1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
– 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground (optional)
– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 1 tablespoon garlic, minced/grated
– 1 tablespoon ginger, minced/grated
– 1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
– 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
– 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (or soy sauce)
– 1 tablespoon chinkiang (Chinese black vinegar) (or balsamic vinegar)
– 1 teaspoon sugar (white or brown or palm or coconut)
– 2 teaspoons cornstarch
– 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
– 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
– 2 green onions, sliced

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken and cook, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Incorporate the bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the blend of Sichuan peppercorns, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, broth, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chinkiang, sugar, and cornstarch, mix and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat, mix in the peanuts, toasted sesame oil, and green onions and enjoy!

Option: Substitute the light and dark soy sauce with soy sauce if they aren’t available.
Tip: Begin cooking the rice just prior to starting this recipe, and they will finish simultaneously!

Nutrition Facts: Calories 219, Fat 12g (Saturated 1g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 83mg, Sodium 553mg, Carbs 9g (Fiber 1g, Sugars 3g), Protein 29g

Greek-Inspired Chicken and Quinoa Bowl Recipe