Midsummer Recipes!

For anyone searching good recipes for that extra -yet simple- kick for a midsummer night snack or friendly gathering or barbecue, here are a few of my personal favourites.

GREEN TEA & STRAWBERRY
Simple and delicious! Steep your green tea and let it cool for a while. Blend 1/2 cup crushed ice with a 1/2 cup strawberries until it's smooth. Add your (now cooled down) green tea at the last moment and voila!

SUNDRIED TOMATO SALAD WITH VINAIGRETTE
1/2 cup dried (canned/drained) tomatoes
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
12 fresh basil leaves/lettuce leaves
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Blend and toss and serve!

MANGO CHICKEN
1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder 1/2 mango, peeled and chopped 1/4 cup mango chutney
1 tsp grated lime rind 3 tbsp lime juice 2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 4 chicken breasts, skinned

In a saucepan, heat oil on medium heat, stirring in onion garlic and chili for about five minutes or until soft. Stir in the mango and mango chutney, lime rinds and juice, sugar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer to about eight minutes or until the mangoes are tender. Let cool.
Purée the mango blend until smooth and coat the chicken breasts with it. Cover and refrigerate for three to four hours.
Grill on medium heat and brush with any of the left over purée. Cook for forty-five minutes or until fully cooked.

LAVENDER COOKIES
5/8 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp lavender flowers
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Cream together butter and sugar. Beat egg and blend in. Stir in flour and lavender flowers. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes or til golden brown.


This exact list of recipes is what I'll be making for my family this year to celebrate summer! All very earth based, sun related, and summer-to-taste recipes.
Hope you enjoy! Have a good solstice!