Fruity Summer Meal

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Aug 2009 09:28 AM

Summer yields sensational fresh fruit, but the season's plumpest berries and other succulent sweet treats don't have to be saved exclusively for breakfast. Fresh fruits, especially citrus selections, can be incorporated into every aspect of your dinner menu.

Here's how:

GRILLED CITRUS CHICKEN

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

2 oranges, juice and zest

2 lemons, juice and zest

2 limes, juice and zest

1 teaspoon ancho chili powder

3/4 cup olive oil

8 sprigs lemon thyme, freshly chopped

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine citrus juice and zest, ancho chile, olive oil and thyme. Reserve 1/2 cup of marinade for basting.

Place chicken in Ziploc bag and cover with marinade, refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat grill.

Remove chicken from marinade and season on both sides with salt and pepper.

Place chicken on hot grill.

Grill until fully cooked through, turning occasionally, while basting with reserved marinade, for about 15 minutes total, depending on how hot your grill is.

CITRUS FENNEL SALAD

Ingredients:

1 baby fennel, thinly shaved

1/2 cup orange segments

1/2 cup grapefruit segments

2 cups baby spinach

1/2 cup baby tomatoes, chopped

1 baby cucumber, sliced

3 tablespoons citrus marinade, reserved from chicken

Sea salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with grilled chicken.

CHERRY COOKIES

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup dried cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease baking sheets.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until well blended. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until blended. Stir in the walnuts and dried cherries.

Drop the batter by teaspoonful onto the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.

Related Articles:

Succulent Summer Berry Recipes

Making a Magnificent Meal from Summer's Harvest

Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet and Simple Strawberry Treats

Fruit for Dinner

Summer Fruit Parfaits

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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