Summer Treats

 Summer Treats

Pepperoni Caprese Bites with Basil Vinaigrette

The recipe makes 24 and is from //authenticsuburbangourmet.blogspot.com/
Ingredients:

• 24 Mini Mozzarella Balls
• 24 Basil Leaves
• 24 Slices of Pepperoni
• 24 Small Cherry Tomatoes
• 24 Toothpicks

Directions:
Thread the mozzarella ball first, then fold the pepperoni in half and half again and thread onto the toothpick. Next, add the basil leaf, then the tomato.

Basil Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup olive oil 
• 2-1/2 tablespoons good quality white balsamic
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 
• 1-1/2 teaspoons finely diced shallots
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, diced

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients in a blender except basil. Taste test to balance ingredients. 
• Pour into a small pitcher and stir in basil. Mix well with a whisk and refrigerate until needed.

 Tip: Let mixture sit at least 30 minutes for flavors to develop.

 Another option rather than using a basil vinaigrette is to drizzle dark chocolate balsamic over the appetizers right before serving. 

Lemon Sorbet

Cook's notes: Clean out lemons and add a scoop of purchased lemon sorbet. So refreshing. 

 S'more Fun

Cook's notes: The picture says it all. Serving up summer for your next campfire in a dish.

Cook's Notes: Summer fun in a jar, a non-edible treat.  

Beach Party Cupcakes
Cook's Notes: To recreate these very cute beachy cupcakes, you will need a box of your favorite cake mix and frosting, or purchase some cupcakes from the bakery section of the store, sprinkles for the sand, a box of Teddy Grahams, Life Savers Gummies, and Fruit Roll-Ups. Oh, don't forget a paper umbrella!

An Ice Cream Discovery 

Cook's Notes: In honor of National Ice Cream Day, I found these cute small cups at the store for only $2.34. Think old-fashioned Dixie cups and note that there is a spoon attached inside to the cover. 

 

Slushy Peach Bellini

Cook's Notes: A refreshing summer drink to beat the heat and cool off. A real bonus for me was finding a stash of paper umbrellas for serving the drinks. Make life more fun and serve summer drinks with paper umbrellas and slices of fruit.

Note to reader: I was hooked on little paper umbrellas by the age of 8.
My parents would bring them home after an evening out for my sister and me. We liked to collect the umbrellas and used them when we played "house" with our dolls.

The recipe makes 3 drinks, but it also depends on the size of the glasses being used.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup ice
• 2 cups frozen peaches or fresh peaches 
• 1-1/2 cups orange juice
• 3 oz. tequila
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Juice of 1 small lime

Directions:

• To the blender, add ice and crush or add crushed ice.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
• Taste test before serving.
• Rim the glass with lime and then dip it in coarse salt.