Summer Time Food Favorites-Main Dishes

Welcome back!  I am so glad you decided to join me again for part three of the four series, Summer Time Food Favorites.  This week features the category, Main Dishes.  Often it is from this category of food that is the most challenging to prepare a meal from on a busy summer day.  Even if I consider myself a foodie and, for the most part, love cooking, the hot days of summer have me spending less time in the kitchen. When I can, I turn to outdoor grilling to cook and avoid heating up the house.  I can honestly say that I love the flavor of any food which is grilled, especially chicken and beef.  So two of the four recipes which I have included are those prepared on the charcoal grill.

What could make summer more complete than some self-basted, herb-butter beer can chicken on the grill?  Prepared a day ahead of time, the chicken can be warmed up or served cold for the next day of being out and about.  In my own mind, I refer to this as "I Got You Under My Skin Grilled Beer Can Chicken" because I literally add softened, seasoned butter under the skin of the chicken before I place it over the beer can for grilling.  I also season the outside of the chicken as well, but most of the basting comes from within since the butter slowly melts into the chicken from underneath the skin.  Thus, it is basting itself as it goes through the cooking process.

When it comes to eating time, this chicken is moist and flavorful and it will truly have a lasting impression that will have you asking for more.  For the recipe visit: https://sites.google.com/site/thelittleyellowcornerstore/main-dishes/i-got-you-under-my-skin-grilled-beer-can-chicken

Another grilling favorite of mine are thick, bursting-with-flavor hamburgers.  These spicy and smokey hamburgers are something which I yearn for during the winter months.  Served up on a bun with sweet onion rings, cheddar cheese, bacon slices, red and green pepper, a slice of home-grown garden tomato and lettuce, and plenty of ketchup, this hamburger is loaded with gratifying appeal.

For the juicy hamburger recipe, go to: https://sites.google.com/site/thelittleyellowcornerstore/main-dishes/spicy-and-smokey-grilled-hamburgers

When outside grilling is not an option, a simple favorite summer time food to prepare is my baked Spinach Parmesan Salmon Fillets.  This recipe came from the website, Food.com and because it includes healthy, fresh-from-the-garden spinach and creamy mascarpone and parmesan cheese, it is a winner for eating light, but deliciously.

For convenience, I retyped a shorter version of the recipe.  You can find the recipe at: https://sites.google.com/site/thelittleyellowcornerstore/main-dishes/spinach-parmesan-salmon-fillets

My last option for summer time main meals are stir-fry recipes.  Stir-fry dishes are quick and easy and loaded with crunchy vegetables.  It is perfect for wanting to eat healthy and be in and out of the kitchen in no time.  The Hoisin Sauce Chicken Stir Fry is a dish I frequently rely on for a fast and tasty dish. This delectable stir-fry can be served with cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles and topped with crunchy chow mein noodles or sesame sticks.  What is even more convenient is that the leftovers (if there are any) always taste better the next day.

The following link will allow you to print up the recipe: https://sites.google.com/site/thelittleyellowcornerstore/main-dishes/hoisin-sauce-chicken-stir-fry

I hope that you have been enjoying the multiple postings on various food categories.  I am happy to share some of the recipes that my family has been enjoying for years.

Remember that next week will be the last of the four series entitled, Summer Time Food Favorites. Of course, the series will conclude with the category of Desserts.  Are you up for some cool and refreshing desserts?   Or what about a dessert that reminds you of your childhood?   Please visit with me again for some of my special recipes taken from my long-time collection.  I look forward to seeing you then.