Tastes of Summer

 in Favorite Recipes / Now Magazines by

Does this hot weather have you wishing for some new, lighter foods to try? Here are some fresh and light choices to enjoy during the dog days of summer.

Cranberry Salad

Provided by Linda David for the August 2007 issue of the North Ellis Co.NOW Magazine.

  • 1 3-oz. pkg. lemon Jell-O
  • 1 3-oz. pkg. cherry Jell-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 20-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 2 apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 12-oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  1. Dissolve gelatins in water. Add sugar; stir until dissolved.
  2. Stir in pineapple; chill until thickened.
  3. Add remaining ingredients; chill until firm.

 

Easy Summer Breakfast 

Provided by Vicki Asher for the May 2011 issue of MansfieldNOW Magazine.

  • 2 fresh cantaloupes
  • 1/2 pint strawberries
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • Salt, to taste
  • 4 sprigs fresh mint
  1. Slice cantaloupes in half across the center (not from end to end). Scoop out the seeds and throw them out. 
  2. Wash and slice strawberries and divide evenly into all four cantaloupe halves. 
  3. Wash and sprinkle fresh blueberries on top of strawberries. 
  4. Lightly salt the colorful fruit bowls and sprinkle with a few mint leaves before serving. 

 

Elegant Chicken Salad

Provided by Evonne Smith for the August 2012 issue of MidlothianNOW Magazine.

  • 3 4.5-oz. cans chicken, drained
  • 1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pineapple preserves
  • 1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup coconut 
  1. Combine ingredients and mix well. Serve on croissants.

 

Linguine Florentine

Provided by Adrienne Smith for the August 2008 issue of North Ellis Co.NOW Magazine.

  • 2 lbs. fresh spinach
  • 9 oz. fresh linguine
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/4 tsp. white pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. roasted pecans, chopped
  1. Remove stems from spinach; wash leaves thoroughly. Cook spinach, covered, in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat about 4 minutes or until tender. (Do not add water; drain well.)
  2. Chop spinach; set aside.
  3. Cook linguine according to package directions, omitting the salt and fat; drain. 
  4. Combine linguine and olive oil in a large bowl; toss gently.
  5. Add spinach, cheese and pepper; toss gently. Sprinkle with pecans.

Pasta Salad

Provided by Melinda Bradley for the November 2014 issue of WeatherfordNOW Magazine.

  • 12 oz. rainbow rotini pasta
  • 1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 small purple onion, chopped
  • 12 oz. cherry tomatoes
  • 1 6-oz. jar green olives, drained
  • 4 oz. feta cheese with tomato and basil
  • 1 16-oz. bottle Kraft Greek Vinaigrette Dressing
  1. Cook, drain and cool pasta.
  2. Mix in remaining ingredients; serve.

 

Calico Vegetable Relish

Provided by Mellie Howard for the May 2013 issue of CorsicanaNOW Magazine.

  • 3/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup salad oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 16-oz. can French-style green beans, drained
  • 1 12-oz. can corn, drained
  • 1 16-oz. can sweet peas, drained
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1 2-oz. jar pimentos, drained and chopped
  1. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, oil, sugar and pepper; bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved.
  2. In a large bowl, combine vegetables; pour vinegar mixture over vegetables.
  3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

 

Cheese Roll

Provided by Lary Hawkins for the August 2011 issue of WeatherfordNOW Magazine.

Makes about 4 logs.

  • 1 lb. Longhorn or Colby cheese, grated
  • 1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. each: dried minced onion, water and garlic salt
  • Tabasco or cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
  • 1 cup pecans, finely chopped 
  • 1 cup chili powder
  • 1 24-oz. box Ritz crackers
  1. Work with cheeses at room temperature. Blend cheeses with mixer, adding minced onion and water, garlic salt and optional Tabasco or cayenne pepper. Stir in pecans.
  2. Form cheese into logs, about the diameter of a Ritz cracker and about 5 to 6 inches long. Roll in chili powder, then wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate until firm. Serve with Ritz crackers. 

 

Honeyed Spice Cheese Spread

Provided by LuAnne Woods for the May 2011 issue of BurlesonNOW Magazine.

8 oz. cream cheese or “bag” cheese

  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. allspice
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Plain breakfast bagels
  1. In a medium bowl, blend first six ingredients well.
  2. Serve on toasted, plain breakfast bagels.

 

Lemonade Pie

Provided by Joyce Rhoades for the July 2008 issue of BurlesonNOW Magazine.

  • 1 14-oz. can Eagle Brand Milk
  • 1 6-oz. can frozen lemonade
  • 8 oz. Cool Whip
  • 1 graham cracker crust
  1. Mix milk and lemonade with a spoon. Fold in Cool Whip with a spoon; do not beat.
  2. Pour mixture into crust; place in freezer. Stays good until all is eaten.

Almond Tea

Provided by Teresa Miller and Tammy Trebing for the August 2011 issue of BurlesonNOW Magazine.

  • 6 cups water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup limeade concentrate, thawed
  • 4 1/2 tsp. unsweetened instant tea
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Fresh orange, lemon and lime slices
  1. In a 2-quart pitcher, combine water, sugar, limeade concentrate, instant tea and extracts. 
  2. Add fruit and serve over ice.