Ah, fruity dinners—those vibrant, unexpected delights that dance on your taste buds like a jubilant parade! Seriously, who knew that a slice of juicy mango could turn a mundane chicken dish into a tropical fiesta? It’s like Mother Nature herself decided to sprinkle a little sunshine on your plate, and I can’t help but think of last summer when I tried a peach-glazed salmon that was so good, it almost made me cry.
Steps
- Summer Berry Galette: Combine blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries to make a juicy filling. Roll out a buttery crust, fill with the berry mixture, and bake until golden and flaky.
- Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint: Slice watermelon and combine with fresh mint, briny olives, and feta cheese. Serve chilled, optionally cutting the watermelon into cubes or using a melon baller.
- Stone Fruit Salad with Collard-Peanut Pesto: Roast peanuts and blend with collard greens and Parmesan to create a pesto. Toss the pesto with honey-dressed plums and nectarines for a savory salad.
- Mixed Berry Cornmeal Biscuit Shortcakes: Macerate fresh berries and prepare whipped cream with vanilla and lemon zest. Serve over split cornmeal biscuits.
- Peach-Blueberry Pie: Use thawed frozen or fresh fruit and mix with lemon zest and juice. Bake with a turbinado sugar-topped crust until bubbly and golden.
- Apricot Nectarine Julep: Roast apricots and nectarines, then puree and mix with bourbon for a cocktail. Pour over crushed ice for a refreshing treat.
- Mango-Blackberry Cobbler with Cornmeal Biscuits: Combine mangoes and blackberries and top with cornmeal biscuits. Bake until the biscuits are fluffy and golden.
- Grilled Pork Chops with Burst Blueberry Sauce: Prepare a sauce with blueberries, shallots, thyme, and chipotles. Spoon over grilled pork chops for a savory dish.
- Georgia Peach Pie with Bourbon Whipped Cream: Bake pie at high heat to crisp the crust, then serve with bourbon-infused whipped cream.
- Strawberry Granita with Sweet Pesto: Freeze strawberry puree into a granita and pair with honey-sweetened pesto. Use the juiciest strawberries for best results.
- Chile-Coconut Watermelon Crudo: Slice watermelon and drizzle with fresh coconut water. Add a pinch of salt and a hint of chile for a spicy-sweet appetizer.
- Blackberry and Mascarpone Crêpe Cake: Layer crêpes with mascarpone cream and blackberries. Finish with lemon zest for a fresh touch.
- No-Bake Peaches and Cream Cheesecake: Create a graham cracker crust and layer with peach puree and cream cheese-ricotta mix. Chill until set.
- Sugared Melon with Cardamom and Mint: Combine sliced melons with sugar, cardamom, and mint. Serve as a refreshing dessert.
- Peach and Blackberry Crisp: Cover peaches and blackberries with a spiced oat and brown sugar topping. Bake until the juices are bubbling.
- Black Rice Salad with Cherries and Plums: Mix black rice with fresh cherries and plums. Top with blue cheese breadcrumbs for added crunch.
- Boozy Frozen Strawberry Lemonade: Blend strawberries with lemon vodka, Prosecco, and basil. Serve immediately to prevent melting.
- Shrimp and Okra Kebabs with Grilled Peaches: Marinate shrimp in a bourbon vinaigrette and grill with okra and peaches. Drizzle with extra vinaigrette.
- Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita: Combine mezcal, Cointreau, and cherry puree. Serve in a chilled glass as a refreshing cocktail.
- Summer Plum Crostata: Fill pastry with sliced plums and bake until the crust is golden. Use ripe, tangy plums for best flavor.
- Strawberry-Mango Paletas: Freeze a blend of strawberries and mangos into ice pops. Ensure fruits are ripe for vibrant colors and flavors.
- Raspberry Clafoutis: Substitute cherries with raspberries in this classic French dessert. Bake until set and slightly puffed.
- Berry Ice Cream Pie: Layer a graham crust with balsamic blueberry jam and strawberry ice cream. Serve with fresh blueberries on top.
- Grilled Apricots with Burrata: Grill apricots and toss with arugula and radicchio. Top with burrata and country ham, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
- Watermelon Gazpacho: Blend watermelon with tomatoes, cucumbers, and jalapeños. Serve chilled for a refreshing starter.
- Summer Fruit Salad with Arugula: Mix arugula with market-fresh fruits and top with almonds. Use crushed fruit for a vinaigrette base.
- Chilled Peach Soup with Fresh Goat Cheese: Marinate peaches with dried apricots, honey, and vinegar, then blend. Adjust seasoning with vinegar before serving.
Ingredients
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Mint
- Olives
- Feta cheese
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Burrata
- Country ham
- Arugula
- Roasted peanuts
- Collard greens
- Parmesan cheese
- Honey
- Plums
- Nectarines
- Fonio
- Cornmeal
- Vanilla
- Lemon zest
- Thawed frozen fruit
- Lemon juice
- Turbinado sugar
- Bourbon
- Mangoes
- Blackberries
- Shallots
- Thyme
- Chipotles in adobo
- Red wine
- Balsamic vinegar
- Pork rib chops
- Fresh coconut water
- Cardamom
- Mascarpone
- Cream cheese
- Ricotta
- Graham crackers
- Muskmelons
- Oats
- Brown sugar
- Black rice
- Cherries
- Blue cheese
- Lemon vodka
- Prosecco
- Basil
- Limoncello
- Lemon sorbet
- Shrimp
- Okra
- Jalapeño
- Cointreau
- Sour cherries
- Mezcal
- Colorado plums
- Strawberries
- Mango
- Raspberries
- Raspberry eau-de-vie
- Balsamic blueberry jam
- Radicchio
- Aged balsamic vinegar
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Scallions
- Green or black figs
- Almonds
- Dried apricots
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
FAQ
- What is a good way to enhance the flavor of a summer fruit salad?
- Adding ingredients like roasted peanuts, collard greens, and Parmesan can create a hearty pesto that pairs wonderfully with honey-dressed stone fruits, offering a savory twist to a sweet dish.
- Can I use frozen fruit for summer pies when fresh is unavailable?
- Yes, thawed frozen fruit can be an excellent substitute in summer pies. Ingredients like lemon zest and juice can help balance the sweetness of the fruit.
- How can I make a unique summer cocktail using stone fruits?
- A puree of roasted apricots and nectarines mixed with bourbon can highlight the vanilla and nutmeg notes in the spirit, leading to a cocktail reminiscent of Hawaiian shave ice.
- What is a creative way to serve watermelon during summer cookouts?
- Transforming watermelon into a “crudo” with fresh coconut water, chili, and mint can offer a sweet, spicy, and refreshing appetizer that stands out from traditional watermelon slices.
- How can I prepare a simple yet elegant dessert with fresh berries?
- A galette with a buttery, flaky crust filled with a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries can be both a visually appealing and delicious way to enjoy fresh summer berries.
Tips
- Watermelon Salad Preparation: For a more straightforward preparation of the watermelon salad, cut the watermelon into cubes instead of using a melon baller. This method is quicker and still maintains the refreshing flavors when combined with mint, olives, and feta.
- Pie Crust Baking Tip: When making peach-blueberry pie, be aware that a gap might form between the filling and the crust due to high-temperature baking. Despite this, the high heat ensures a crispy bottom crust, making it worthwhile.
- Berry Granita Selection: To achieve the best flavor in a strawberry granita, choose the sweetest and juiciest strawberries you can find. This will enhance the overall taste and provide a more satisfying dessert.
- Melon Selection for Dessert: When preparing sugared melon with cardamom and mint, select ripe muskmelons like cantaloupe or honeydew for the best results. The ripeness of the melon is crucial for maximizing the dessert’s flavor.
Equipment
- Melon Baller – For cutting watermelon into rounds as in the Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint.
- Ice Cream Maker – Useful for making granitas or ice cream-based desserts like the Strawberry Granita with Sweet Pesto or Berry Ice Cream Pie.
- Crêpe Pan – To make the Blackberry and Mascarpone Crêpe Cake.
- Microplane Zester – Handy for zesting citrus fruits used in various recipes.
- Mandoline Slicer – For thinly slicing fruits or vegetables, useful in salads.
- Immersion Blender or High-Powered Blender – For pureeing soups, sauces, or smoothies, such as in the Chilled Peach Soup with Fresh Goat Cheese.
- Pastry Cutter or Dough Blender – Useful for making pie crusts or biscuits, like in the Peach-Blueberry Pie or Mango-Blackberry Cobbler with Cornmeal Biscuits.
- Cocktail Shaker – To prepare cocktails like the Apricot Nectarine Julep or Sour Cherry Mezcal Margarita.
- Grill Pan – For grilling fruits or meats if you don’t have an outdoor grill, as seen in Grilled Pork Chops with Burst Blueberry Sauce or Grilled Apricots with Burrata, Country Ham, and Arugula.
