Recipe Roundup: Summer Edition

We've had some fun trying out some simple summer recipes so far since the weather has been warmer and I thought it was about time I get to sharing some.  We tried Caprese Garlic Bread and Chicken Caesar Sandwiches (both of which  I shared on my Summer Eats list) as well as a refreshing cucumber  bites appetizer.  Like everything I make - all very simple!

Before we jump in, I'm also sharing my favorite summer happy hour accessories and guest posting over on Amanda's blog so be sure to stop by and check it out!

Caprese Garlic Bread

One word - d e l i c i o u s. This was one of the recipes I was most excited to try and it did not disappoint.  I contributed this appetizer/side for Father's Day and I think every person went back for seconds. 

Ingredients:

1 loaf gourmet bread

4 tablespoons salted butter

garlic powder

fresh mozzarella slices

balsamic dressing

2 medium tomatoes

basil

salt and pepper to taste

+combine butter and garlic in a mixing bowl and spread evenly on bread halves

+ place the mozzarella on top and bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees

+ immediately after taking out of oven top with tomato slices and basil as well as salt and pepper to taste

+ drizzle balsamic on the top and enjoy!

Cucumber Bites Appetizer

This is the perfect appetizer for a hot day and completely refreshing.  We've made it twice already and it's very quick to prepare.



Ingredients

1-2 cucumbers

cherry tomatoes

cream cheese

+ slice the cucumbers into bite size pieces and cut the tomatoes into halves

+ place the cream chese mixture onto the cucumber slice then top with a tomato

+ serve in the refrigerator until serving

*one cucumber usually makes about 15 bites

*you can either use a regular block of light cream cheese and blend it with ranch dressing powder OR get a premixed cream cheese like chive/onion.  We've done it both ways and both are equally as delicious.

Crockpot Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
We had this for dinner one night a few weeks ago and I loved it because I could use my crockpot - it's hard to find summer recipes like that.  The recipe is for sandwiches but we wanted to eliminate the bread and just served the chicken mixture on large pieces of lettuce.

Ingredients

boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used two but you can use up to two pounds)

1/2 to 1 cup Caesar dressing

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon pepper

lettuce, buns

+ put the chicken in the slow cooker with 1-2 cups water and cook on low for 6-8 hours

+ remove chicken, drain and shread then place back in the crockpot with dressing, cheese and pepper and cook for another 30 minutes before serving

+ serve on buns with lettuce and extra parmesan cheese/dressing on top

*Like I said, we opted to leave out the bread so Derek ate his kind of like a taco using the lettuce as the wrap and I ate mine on top of the lettuce just cutting it all up.

I'll be back next week with the remaining items we've tried this summer including two types of potato salad, another summer crockpot meal and the first pie I've ever made…

Linking up with my favorite food linkups - 

Delicious Dish Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Recipe Swap



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