Everyone has summer on the brain. The weather is warm. Schools are letting out. Kids are headed to camps. This week’s Friday-Food-Frenzy recipes celebrate summertime. They’re quick-and-easy requiring very few ingredients and, they’re light and refreshing to taste!
The first recipe is more like a healthy snack. I always remember Mom placing green grapes in the freezer to later peel and eat as a nice frozen treat. This recipe, inspired by a good friend and cook, Claire Abenante, adds just a few unsuspected ingredients to the grapes that will definitely raise eyebrows.
Frozen Grapes with a Kick
Ingredients:
- 1 bag seedless (organic) green or red grapes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of high quality olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary
Instructions:
- Place grapes in freezer to freeze.
- Pour olive oil over grapes and mix thoroughly (add more if desired).
- Sprinkle sea salt over top (add more if desired).
- Sprinkle rosemary on top.
- Serve immediately
For my kitchen-clueless pals, this Sangria (adapted from wine.about.com) only takes about 5 minutes to make and it tastes so refreshing. People will be impressed that you’re not just serving wine but, that you went the extra mile to create a special punch. I try to make it at least 24 hours before serving and refrigerate the mixture in a tightly-sealed container so that it’s extra chilled. The fruit selection is up to you. With white wine I like to add light fruits like: pears, Gala apples, and peaches. For red wine sangria you can add oranges, pomegranate seeds and blackberries. Also, for more a more alcoholic “punch,” add 1 cup of brandy and 1/2 cup triple sec.
White Wine Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 Bottle of your favorite white wine
- 2/3 cup of sugar (if you’re adding the brandy and triple sec, reduce this to 1/2 cup)
- 1 apple sliced into tiny pieces
- 1 pear sliced into tiny pieces
- 1 peach sliced into tiny pieces
- 1/2 liter of club soda (for sweeter punch, use ginger ale)
Instructions:
- Pour wine into a container and add in fruit slices, sugar and additional alcohol.
- Seal lid tightly and place in refrigerator for 24 hours.
- Add club soda (or ginger ale) right before serving.
- Relax, sip and enjoy!
Have any favorite summer “snacks” you can make in under 15 minutes? Share them with us!
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