Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Recipe Roundup: Summer Edition

We've had some fun trying out some simple summer recipes so far since the weather has been warmer and I thought it was about time I get to sharing some.  We tried Caprese Garlic Bread and Chicken Caesar Sandwiches (both of which  I shared on my Summer Eats list) as well as a refreshing cucumber  bites appetizer.  Like everything I make - all very simple!

Before we jump in, I'm also sharing my favorite summer happy hour accessories and guest posting over on Amanda's blog so be sure to stop by and check it out!

Caprese Garlic Bread
One word - d e l i c i o u s. This was one of the recipes I was most excited to try and it did not disappoint.  I contributed this appetizer/side for Father's Day and I think every person went back for seconds. 


Ingredients:
1 loaf gourmet bread
4 tablespoons salted butter
garlic powder
fresh mozzarella slices
balsamic dressing
2 medium tomatoes
basil
salt and pepper to taste

+combine butter and garlic in a mixing bowl and spread evenly on bread halves
+ place the mozzarella on top and bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees
+ immediately after taking out of oven top with tomato slices and basil as well as salt and pepper to taste
+ drizzle balsamic on the top and enjoy!

Cucumber Bites Appetizer
This is the perfect appetizer for a hot day and completely refreshing.  We've made it twice already and it's very quick to prepare.


Ingredients
1-2 cucumbers
cherry tomatoes
cream cheese

+ slice the cucumbers into bite size pieces and cut the tomatoes into halves
+ place the cream chese mixture onto the cucumber slice then top with a tomato
+ serve in the refrigerator until serving

*one cucumber usually makes about 15 bites

*you can either use a regular block of light cream cheese and blend it with ranch dressing powder OR get a premixed cream cheese like chive/onion.  We've done it both ways and both are equally as delicious.

Crockpot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
We had this for dinner one night a few weeks ago and I loved it because I could use my crockpot - it's hard to find summer recipes like that.  The recipe is for sandwiches but we wanted to eliminate the bread and just served the chicken mixture on large pieces of lettuce.


Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used two but you can use up to two pounds)
1/2 to 1 cup Caesar dressing
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon pepper
lettuce, buns

+ put the chicken in the slow cooker with 1-2 cups water and cook on low for 6-8 hours
+ remove chicken, drain and shread then place back in the crockpot with dressing, cheese and pepper and cook for another 30 minutes before serving
+ serve on buns with lettuce and extra parmesan cheese/dressing on top

*Like I said, we opted to leave out the bread so Derek ate his kind of like a taco using the lettuce as the wrap and I ate mine on top of the lettuce just cutting it all up.


I'll be back next week with the remaining items we've tried this summer including two types of potato salad, another summer crockpot meal and the first pie I've ever made…

Linking up with my favorite food linkups - 


40 comments:

  1. These all look amazingly delicious, lady! Perfect for summertime entertaining! :)

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  2. Yum! All of these look super tasty! Will be adding these to my to-make list next time we host a party!
    Heading over to check out your guest post!

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  3. That garlic bread looks delicious as do the cucumber bites!!! I love summertime dishes! :)

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  4. love the treats! these are some great options for my next get together (i loooove a good party or game night with friends!), so thanks girls!

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  5. All of these look delicious! I need that first tomato appetizer like, tonight.

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  6. That caprese bread looks absolutely amazing, and I'm excited for another summer crockpot recipe...I just upgraded my crockpot and can't wait to try the new one out!
    xoxo B | The Sequin Notebook

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  7. All of these look soooo good! Thanks for sharing and guest posting ;)

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  8. My mouth is watering at the caprese garlic bread.. YUM!

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  9. Looks delicious! I especially like those cucumber bites. Thank you so much for sharing!! :-)

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  10. These all sound/look amazing, especially the garlic bread. Need to save these recipes!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. 100% making the crock pot Caesar - you're so right it's hard to find a good summer crock pot recipe!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  12. You had me at crockpot and Ceasar! I'll try anothing from those two combos!

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  13. Everything you made looks AMAZING!!!! Of course though - you never let me down ;)

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  14. Yum! I can't get enough tomatoes this time of year

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  15. Everything looks so good! I need some of that garlic bread STAT!

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  16. YUM! I definitely have to make ALL of these! Anything with bread, cheese and garlic is right up my alley. The cucumber bites look so refreshing and the chicken so easy and perfect for a night when you don't want to heat up the kitchen. Love it!

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  17. I have been looking for good summer crock pot recipes - I think I am going to add this on to your meal plan for next week!!

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  18. Yum, everything looks so delicious!

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  19. That caprese garlic bread looks so good. Yum!!! :)

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  20. These look great! My mouth is totally watering already! Can't wait to try some!

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  21. These all look so delicious! I'm feeling very hungry reading this post :)
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  22. That Caprese Garlic Bread looks like it's to die for!! I will definitely be trying this!

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  23. I seriously might make that garlic bread for a party this weekend! Looks AMAZING!

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  24. I still need to try that caprese garlic bread! We made Mexican chicken lettuce wraps and they were sooo good. We'll have to try the caesar ones!

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  25. Oh my goodness that garlic bread looks heavenly... I'm going to have to make that this weekend!

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  26. The cucumber bites look amazing!! Recently I've been into slicing homegrown tomatoes and sprinkling feta cheese and some salt and pepper on top. So good!

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  27. YUM to all of these!! We have caprese sandwiches all of the time and now I'm going to try them with garlic bread! Thank goodness it's almost dinner because I'm pretty much drooling over here ;)

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  28. I now want all of the above. Everything looks so yummy!!!

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  29. Love these roundups! Definitely going to try these two recipes!! Thanks for sharing!

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  30. I need to try those cucumber bites. They looks so simple and delicious!!

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  31. Caprese Garlic Bread and the cucumber bites, oh so adding this to my happy hour menu. I am all about easy, less ingredients recipes and these fit the order. Thank you, thank you for sharing on Tuesday Talk with us. Excited to read what you have for us next week.

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  32. That garlic bread looks amazing!!! Totally my kind of thing!

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  33. Giving you a shout out on next week's Tuesday Talk for this recipe. Stop by Grammie Time and see how I brag on you! See you then!

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  34. This is totally making me so hungry right now... and the garlic-tomato-yum seems like such a perfect, light summer meal... YUM!!

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  35. Okay. Adding all of these to my recipe book right now!! You are a great cook my friend!!

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  36. As stated in my Tuesday Talk feature, I made these Caprese Garlic Bread today for happy hour, eating as I write and YUM. I actually used a freshly made loaf of garlic bread instead of garlic powder and oh this is delicious.

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