summer dinners

can anyone recommend some good summer dinners? Something that doesn't have you in front of a stove/oven for very long?

Re: summer dinners

Take out!

Re: summer dinners

salads
grilled chicken with different marinades (lemon-pepper, teriyaki, etc.)

Re: summer dinners

Key West Grilled Chicken

* 3 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 Tbs. honey
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* Juice of 1 Lime
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

In a small bowl combine soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic.

If you want to have grilled breasts (which is how I did it), Place chicken breast halves into the mixture, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes. If you prefer kebabs, cut the chicken into large chunks, skewer onto bamboo sticks that have been soaked in water for 5 minutes, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

For a slightly zestier version, add a teaspoon( I added 1 cup) of Freshly Chopped cilantro to the marinade.

Grill on medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear. Serve with fresh salad, steamed veggies, baked potato or any of your favorite sides. For variation, try marinating shrimp, (which will take 2-4 minutes to grill in all!)


Taste sooooooooooo good. Very easy to make

Re: summer dinners

Creamy Avocado Pasta
Yield: Serves 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes



Ingredients:


6 ounces pasta, we used whole wheat spaghetti
1 large ripe Avocado, pitted and peel removed
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:


1. Bring water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Salt the water and add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.

2. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce by placing the avocado, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy.

3. When pasta is done cooking, drain and place pasta into a large bowl. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss until pasta is well coated. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.

Note: This pasta dish is best eaten the day it is made.

Re: summer dinners

Use the grill!

Chicken
Steak
Fish
Veggies
Pizza even!
Burgers
Hotdogs
Sausage
Anything on a skewer
Ribs


Easy sides:
corn on the cob
rice
couscous
salad


Panini! You can basically put anything in a panini

Lettuce wraps

Pasta

Stirfry

Re: summer dinners

Grilled Zucchini and Bean Salad

I made this sooooooooo many times last summer!! It's AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from about 1 lime
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Directions


Prepare a barbecue or grill pan to medium-high.

In a medium glass bowl, whisk the lime juice, vinegar and oil until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Add the red onions, cilantro, serrano chiles and garlic and toss gently until the vegetables are coated. Add the beans and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Brush the zucchinis on both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the zucchini on a lightly oiled grill rack until tender, turning over once, about 4 minutes per side. Cut the zucchini crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Add the zucchini to the bowl with the dressing and beans. Toss to combine and serve.


check out the video