Summer Solstice

This is my top rated recipe pick for the week to usher in summer solstice.
Balsamic Grilled Cherry, Blueberry, Goat Cheese, and Candied Walnuts Salad. 

The recipe was adapted fromtwopeasandtheirpod.com
It's festive perfect for your 4th of July celebration with red, white and blue and the sweet and savory flavors that work amazingly well together.
Cook's notes: The cherries were pitted, tossed in a prepared dressing Newman's Own Lite Balsamic Dressing or another similar dressing and place on a grill pan. They were grilled until they were juicy and slightly charred about 5 minutes. A good quality balsamic vinegar or black cherry balsamic can be substituted for the prepared dressing using 1 tablespoon. The cherries can also be roasted in oven at 400 degrees for 8 minutes on a rimmed pan lined with parchment paper. Be sure to place grilled cherries on a paper towel (they are juicy) before adding to salad. The recipe serves 4 .

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved or substitute frozen pitted dark cherries
• 2 TB. Newman's Own Lite Balsamic Dressing, 1 TB. of a good quality balsamic vinegar or black cherry balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 cup prepackaged candied walnuts or pecans
• 8-10 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup red onion, diced
• 1 pint blueberries, rinsed and patted dry on a paper towel
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
• Additional Newman's Own Lite Balsamic Dressing or a similar prepared dressing to finish off the salad or make own own balsamic dressing

Directions:

• Preheat grill to medium heat. Place cherries in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of balsamic dressing and toss well. Place cherries on a grill pan and grill until tender, about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to turn occasionally while cooking.
• In a large bowl, add greens, grilled cherries, blueberries, goat cheese, red onion and candied walnuts. Drizzle with additional balsamic dressing and serve immediately.

A Toast to Summer with 

Limoncello Raspberry Prosecco Cooler 
or Hackensack Summer Sipper

Amazingly refreshing, bubbly, and sweet the perfect summer solstice cocktail that you can make in just 5 minutes! Recipe adapted from The Comfort of Cooking
Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Prosecco or another sparkling wine, chilled
• 1 cup limoncello liqueur, chilled
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 6 sprigs fresh mint

Directions:

• In a large pitcher, whisk together prosecco and limoncello.
• Chill wine glasses.
• Serve over raspberries, garnish with mint, if desired.