Summer months are full of kid camps, vacations and plain ole’ hanging around. Neighborhood kids stop by to hang out, unexpected visits from neighbors and friends and the planned cookouts seem to be weekly and sometimes daily events in the summer. Preparing meals and snacks for all these occasions seem endless! Below are a few easy and tasty recipes the whole family can get involved in making and will satisfy young and old alike.
Bug Crunchers
1 box round crackers
1 jar natural peanut butter or soft cream cheese (flavored optional)
1 bag stick pretzels
Raisins
Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on one cracker. Place 4 pretzel sticks on each side acting as spider legs. Spread more peanut butter or cream cheese on second cracker and lay on top of pretzel sticks. Cut one raisin in half. Using peanut butter or cream cheese as glue, place on top of cracker to become the spiders’ eyes. Enjoy!
Fruit Snackers
Wooden sticks
Diced, watermelon, in season melon, banana, apple, pineapple, grapes and strawberries
Place diced fruit onto wooden sticks. Place on platter and serve.
Easy Pasta Salad
1 lb. Box of favorite pasta, cooked
2 Zucchini, diced
2 Red peppers, seeded and sliced
1 onion, chopped
Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with foil. Spread out vegetables on tray and coat with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and add to cooked pasta. Add vinaigrette and serve.
Lemon Vinaigrette
Zest 1 lemon
Juice 1 lemon
2 T. favorite vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
½ c. olive oil
Pinch salt and pepper
Wisk well.