It is officially summer! so last week I felt inspired to make some summer time treats. DIY food and desserts. When I think of summer time treats I think of tasty finger foods or picnic foods with lots of vibrant colors. I think of cold salads and warm barbecue.
I decided to give myself the challenge of making at least 7 different dishes in one afternoon. To be fair I had my teenage children to help me and together we made oven baked spicy chicken, meatball kabobs, pastry wrapped little smokies, homemade french fries, a cucumber, cilantro and avocado salad, watermelon, blueberry and marshmallow fruit salad, red, white and blue parfaits and a pan of S’mores brownies !
I liked the fact that it was a departure from the typical burgers and hotdogs that most people will serve during summer. There are however some classic summer foods that I also plan to include next time I feel inspired to make more summertime treats like boiled or roasted corn and potato salad inspired by my life living in the south.
After all the cooking and baking one of my favorite things to do is set the table. There is nothing like a pretty set table! I love all the details like picking the right tablecloth and napkins and deciding what serving bowls, plates and utensils to use. Arranging flowers, whether indoors or outdoors, gives me so much joy.
Obviously things are very different this year and most of us will not have large gatherings of friends or family to eat with but I still think no matter what, find time to celebrate something- even if it is just the fact that you are alive !
Here is the recipe for two of my favorite summer time treats. Not only do they look amazing but they taste great as well. If you serve this to any of your friends or family they will be impressed! Best of all so easy to make !
#1 Beef Meatball Kabob
Ingredients:
1 lb of minced meat ( I used beef )
1 egg
½ cup of breadcrumbs ( I used progresso garlic & herb)
¼ cup of milk
1 diced onion
Seasoning of your choice ( I used about 1 teaspoon each of Paprika, black and red pepper, garlic powder, turmeric) thyme and allspice are also good options.
Vegetables : red, yellow and green pepper, onion, scallions, zucchini and squash are good options.
¼ cup of oil to brown or lightly fry meat balls in.
Mix all of your ingredients well and shape into golf sized balls. I made 20 balls enough for 10 skewers. 
Tip: don’t forget to soak your bamboo skewers in water for several hours before using them so that they do not burn. You can find them in the ethnic section of your supermarket.
Brown the meat balls in a shallow amount of oil for 3-5 minutes. Turn at least once. The balls should maintain their shape. Drain unto a paper towel.Then push a bamboo skewer through the center of the meatball alternating with pieces of the vegetables. Place skewers in a pan and bake in the oven for 10- 15 mins on 350 degrees and you’re done ! If you want to be traditional You can grill the Kabobs outside on a charcoal fire . Either way now you will have a tasty summer time treat. Enjoy !
Another alternative is a chicken Kabob using chicken breast & pineapple. Here is the recipe & link to blog post : https://www.habibatunaumd.com/healthfoodinspiration/grilled-chicken-kabob-tasty-quick-and-easy/
#2 Pastry Wrapped little Smokies
Ingredients:
Mini hot dogs ( I used cooked beef Lit’l smokies by Hillshire Farm )
Puff pastry ( I used the puff pastry by Pepperidge Farm found in the freezer section of the supermarket )
Ok so this recipe is semi homemade which makes it fast and easy. Of course if you want to you can make your own puff pastry and sausages from scratch.
Thaw out your store bought pastry, lay it out flat. (Make sure you sprinkle some flour onto the surface before laying out the pastry) . Cut pastry into even long strips. Then cut each strip into 4 squares. Wrap each square around your sausage and place in a greased round pan. I used parchment paper as well on the bottom of the pan which makes it easy to remove our baked treat once it is done.
The pastry covered sausages should touch each other. You can make one layer of sausages or even better a second layer in front of the first and closer to the center of the tin. A second layer would be even more attractive and give you more serving but the center opening would be smaller. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees and you will have an eye pleasing and delicious summer time treat. Don’t forget your Ketchup or mustard poured into a small bowl for the center of your ring. Enjoy and have a safe and happy summer season !
– Habiba
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Watch me make 7 Summer treats here :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR3jOw2u6pw
