Summer Recipes With a Twist

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Compiled By: Shelbi LeMeilleur

You’re lying out by the pool and you need something to quench your thirst. Maybe you have family coming in town for the upcoming holiday weekend. It’s possible you are just sitting on the patio with a good book. No matter the situation, here are some great recipes to shake up your summer.

Fred’s Spicy Cajun Shrimp

Courtesy of Fred and Fred’s Fish Market

This versatile recipe is quick and budget-friendly. You can shake and bake or grill the shrimp. It is an easy summer dinner recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of 16/20 or U-10 Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2-3 tablespoons of spicy Cajun seasoning of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice
  • 3-4 tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoons of coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoons of cumin
  • Ziploc or re-sealable bag

Directions:

  1. Thaw out shrimp (if frozen) and make sure all peelings and veins are cleaned through.
  2. Mix Cajun seasoning, lime juice, oils, and cumin in a bowl.
  3. Place shrimp in the re-sealable bag along with the seasoning mixture and shake to cover all shrimp.
  4. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
  5. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until shrimp turns pink.
  6. If you prefer grilling, place shrimp in skewers for easier turnover while grilling. Grill until shrimp turns pink.

TIP: For a sweet twist, add 1 tbsp. regular honey to the seasoning mix.

Snapper a la Fred

Courtesy of Fred and Fred’s Fish Market

This Caribbean recipe provides a different twist to fish. Flavorful and adaptable, Snapper a la Fred can be baked, grilled, or pan seared. You can use any type of fish, whole or filet.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 pounds of Snapper fillets (Red, Yellowtail, Hog, or Mutton varieties) with skin
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard
  • ¼ chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons of Heavy cream (unsweet, unsalted) (preferably Central American heavy cream)
  • ¼ cup white wine (not cooking wine)
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • A mix of green shallots and yellow onions to make ¼ cup, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of lime juice

Instructions:

  1. Dress the fillets with salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, yellow mustard, cilantro, and lime juice. Marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Sautee mix of onions in the olive oil and butter in a small saucepan until they are translucent and shiny.
  3. Place fish skin down in the shallow baking dish, Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Mix heavy cream with white wine and sautéed onions and use it to cover the fish.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes on 400 degrees. Fish should be flaky and white when done.

Tips: For best taste, use fresh snapper fillets. Skin on adds extra flavor. Bake skin down and skin will adhere to baking dish, you may discard later.

Old Fashioned Lemonade

Courtesy of Northgate Juice Joint

For this summer thirst quencher, the description is in the name. This old-fashioned lemonade is the perfect drink for those hot summer days in the sun. The key is to use freshly squeezed lemons!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of sugar (natural)
  • 1 cup of hot or boiling filtered water
  • 1 cup of fresh lemon juice (if organic, add shredded peel)
  • 4 cups of filtered water

Instructions:

  1. Combine and stir the sugar and boiling water until the water is clear.
  2. When cooled, add the lemon juice and filtered water. Stir.

Tips: If you prefer, you can strain the lemon juice. You can also substitute lime juice, just add less sugar.

Change it Up: For an adult beverage, omit ¼ cup of water and add ¼ limoncello or lemon flavored vodka instead. Serve over ice.

Lemon Paleta

Courtesy of Northgate Juice Joint

If you need a fun activity to do with kids, or a sweet, summer treat, lemon popsicles are the way to go.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of filtered water
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2/3 cup lemon juice
  • Lemon zest

Instructions:

  1. Boil water and stir in sugar until dissolved.
  2. Let cook and then add lime juice and zest.
  3. Put into popsicle molds (with sticks) and freeze.

Tip: For a little something extra, add strawberries. Marinate ¼ cup of strawberries and 2 tablespoons of sugar for 20 minutes. Mash up and add to popsicles when partially frozen. Finish freezing.

Watermelon Slush

Courtesy of Northgate Juice Joint

A refreshing slush for all ages. Quick, easy, and no sugar added!

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of frozen watermelon chunks
  • 1 cup of water
  • Juice of 2 limes

Instructions:

  1. Blend at high speed.