“June is bustin’ out all over,” so get out into the garden — not only to toil but to celebrate. All of creation is in party mode, showing off its colors and flavors. There’s no better time to go outside and get creative yourself. Take these recipes and grow yourself a gorgeous garden party.
Bacon-Wrapped Onion Skewers
The Perfect Summer Spread Recipe Name: Bacon-Wrapped Onion Skewers Bacon-Wrapped Onion Skewers Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 12 skewers
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 12 green onions, trimmed
- 12 bacon slices
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place a greased cooling rack over a rimmed baking pan. Wrap each onion with a bacon slice and place on the rack. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn each onion “skewer.”
- Bake another 15 to 17 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving warm with lime wedges.
Chilled Shrimp Soup
Recipe Name: Chilled Shrimp Soup Chilled Shrimp Soup Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 6 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked salad shrimp, divided
- 2 small or 1 medium cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 green onion, finely sliced and divided
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 cups buttermilk
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Place all but ⅓ cup of the shrimp in a blender or food processor. Add the cucumber and green onions, reserving the green tops. Add the dill, salt, white pepper, sour cream and buttermilk, pureeing to blend. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve in chilled bowls with a garnish of the reserved shrimp, green onion tops and a grind of black pepper.
Pick Your Herb Potatoes
Recipe Name: Pick Your Herb Potatoes Pick Your Herb Potatoes Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 6 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 2 pounds new potatoes, cut in quarters
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (combinations of thyme, rosemary, chives, parsley, etc.)
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place water in the bottom of a steamer and bring to a boil. Place the potatoes in the steamer and cover. Steam for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when checked with a tester. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with the butter, then sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat and serve warm.
Quick Beer Bread
Recipe Name: Quick Beer Bread Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 1 loaf
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 12 ounces beer
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, herbs and salt. Make a well in the center and slowly add the beer and honey. Stir gently until blended.
- Put 2 tablespoons of the butter in the loaf pan and tilt to evenly coat the bottom. Add the batter. Bake for 30 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and top with the remaining butter. Continue baking another 25-30 minutes or until the top is browned and a tester pierced into the loaf comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.
Glazed Pork Chops
Recipe Name: Glazed Pork Chops Glazed Pork Chops Description: Brined then grilled and glazed equals a perfect pork chop Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 4 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple juice
- ½ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup salt
- ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 6 whole peppercorns
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 4 thick pork chops
- ½ cup barbecue sauce of your choice
Instructions
- Place the apple juice, orange juice, salt, sugar, peppercorns, thyme, bay leaves and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to completely dissolve the sugar and salt. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Place the pork chops in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and pour the cooled brine mixture over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Flip the chops halfway through.
- Preheat the grill to high and remove the chops from the brine. Discard the brine mixture. When the grill is hot, place chops on the grate and cook 15 to 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer for 140 degrees.
- Brush with the barbecue sauce and cook 2 minutes longer to set the glaze. Wrap in aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving warm.
Limoncello Cream
Recipe Name: Limoncello Cream Description: This cold dessert is a great meal ending! Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 4 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 9 ounces cold heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of half a large lemon (1-1/2 tablespoons)
- 2 ounces limoncello
- Lemon balm sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Place a mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes while gathering ingredients. Remove and add the cream. Mix on high speed of the electric mixer until it thickens and holds shape. Reduce the mixer speed and add the sugar, zest and juice. Continue mixing on low speed and gradually add the Limoncello. Spoon the cream into small ramekins, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with a garnish of fresh lemon balm.
