Cherry Limeade

This is perfect for a hot summer day or anytime.

2 - 3 c. prepared limeade

4 - 6 c. lemon lime soda

1 jar Marschino cherries

Ice

Place ice in bottom of pitcher.

Over ice combine lemon lime soda, prepared limeade, jar of cherries. 

Stir to mix.

Place pitcher in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.

Serves 4 - 8.

Red, White and Blue Berry Shortcake

This is a great dessert for the 4th of July or anytime.

If you don't have Shortcake pastry shells, you could even do this with canned biscuits.

If you don't have blueberries or strawberries, you can even do this with raspberries or blackberries.

1  1  1/2 c. each: sliced fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, prepared whipped cream 

4 shortcake pastry shells

1/8 tsp. balsamic vinegar (optional)

1/2 - 3/4 tsp. sugar (regular or diatetic)

Rinse blueberries and strawberries.

Remove stem from strawberries, cut strawberries into slices.

In a bowl combine strawberries blueberries. 

Drizzle vinegar and sprinkle sugar over berries. Toss to coat.

Place in refrigerator to marinate for a few hours to serve.

To serve: 

 Place pastry shell on a plate, spoon berries over the shell.

Top shortcake with whip cream.

Serves 4.

Chef Salad

Summer is the perfect season for fresh produce and satisfying salads 

This is great for a summer lunch, dinner or anytime.

2 hard boiled eggs, peeled, chopped

1 c. each: chopped cooked chicken, chopped cooked ham

1 c. each: romaine lettuce, baby spinach, spring mix

1 c. each: chopped onions, cucumber, tomatoes

1/2 c. chopped cheese

Chop cooked chicken and ham, set aside.

Peel, chop eggs, set aside.

Peel, rinse, chop onion, set aside.

Rinse, chop cucumbers and tomatoes, set aside.

Cut cheese into chunks, set aside.

When you're ready to assemble salad, rinse and pat dry lettuce, spring mix.

Rinse, snip ends from spinach leaves, set aside.

Place lettuce, spinach leaves and spring mix in a salad bowl.

Arrange chicken, ham, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions cheese on top of lettuce in the bowl.

Serves 4.

Montreaux Seasoning

This is great for the grill, in marinades or anytime you need a zing.

You can adjust amount and kind of spices desired.

1/2 T. each: granulated garlic, onion powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper,

1/8 tsp. salt

Pinch each: turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes, ground coriander, dried drill, ground mustard, paprika

Combine spices in small bowl, mix well.

 Pour mixture in a clean salt shaker.

Makes 4 servings

Avocado Dip

This perfect for watching the MLb draft or anytime.

3 ripe pitted avocados

1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper

3/4 c. ricotta cheese

1/2 c. fresh chopped cilrantro

1 c. sour cream

3 cloves fresh garlic crushed, minced

1 lime juiced

 

Split avocado in half with a clean knife and remove pit.

Cut avocado into chunks, cut aside.

Peel, rinse, crush garlic, set aside.

Rinse and chop cilantro, set aside.

Cut lime in half.

In a food processor, combine ingredients.

Squeeze lime into mixture and pulse for 10 -20 sec. 

If you don't have a food processor you can use a clean fork to mash  avocados and mix ingredients.

Place in refrigerator to chill.

Serve with tortilla chips, pitas chips, crackers or your favorite veggies

Serves 6 - 8.

Summer Spritz

This is a great refreshing drink to enjoy on a hot day.

I've used oranges, but you can use what citrus fruit that you like.

You could even use other fruits too.

2 oranges 

Ice 

4 - 6 c. sparkling water

Rinse oranges.

Cut 4 slices from an orange, set aside.

Cut remaining oranges into wedges.

Put ice & orange wedges in the bottom of a pitcher.

With a clean wooden spoon, muddle oranges in the bottom of the pitcher.

Pour sparkling water over ice.

Mix well, chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Place ice into bottom of 4 clean glasses.

Pour spritz into clean glasses,  garnish with orange slices.

Enjoy!

Serves 4 - 6.

Metro Detroiter

This weekend the Grand Prix would have been on Belle Isle in Detroit.

This is great for watching races or hanging out at home.

4 - 6 oz. canadian whiskey

1 - 1 1/2 oz. dry vermouth

Squeeze of lemon juice

Ice

4 slices fresh lemon for garnish

Cut lemon in half and cut 4 slices from lemon, set aside.

Place 4 clean cocktail glasses in freezer for a few minutes to chill.

In a cocktail shaker combine ice, whiskey, vermouth.

Squeeze some lemon juice in the shaker.

With a clean cocktail spoon, mix cocktail slightly.

Remove glasses from freezer, put cocktail strainer on top of cocktail shaker, pour cocktail into the glasses.

Garnish with lemon slices.

Serves 4.