Since the 4th is tomorrow of course I must have an obligatory food post, it’s only right. With the many cookouts taking place, I was thinking of what I wanted to eat or make for the holiday this year so I turned to social media to get ideas from friends!! I wanted to know what their favorite summer side dish was and then find a fun recipe to share with all of you!
Jen says she loves bruschetta as a summer side and her choice was much agreed upon by others. She says, “It’s the side dish that serves as a meal.” So I scoured Pinterest for a great summer version of this dish. Ciao Florentina did not disappoint. She adds some cheese to this dish which makes it look like it’s to die for and the grilled garlic bread is excellent for seasonal dining!
Praise says she loves watermelon and feta salad because it’s “refreshing”! Watermelon is super refreshing on hot days and who doesn’t love feta (I mean, besides my own mother! Betrayal.). Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice has a great take on this favorite with added cucumbers for a little veggy crunch and red onions which is just perfection in a salad to me.
Justina’s favorite is Broccoli Cole Slaw because “It’s healthy and delicious.” We all need that dish that makes us feel good about ourselves as we consume overflowing plates and alcohol and this is the one! Cole slaw is another refreshing favorite and the addition of broccoli just take it over the top. Check out this recipe from Add a Pinch for a quick 10 minute recipe your guests (and you) are sure to love.
Some other favorites I got were classics! Baked beans, macaroni salad, and the ever popular (and my personal favorite) Potato Salad! Now don’t just go diving into any potato salad recipe you see. Potato Salad is an art and the test of a true cook. Lol. I mean ok, maybe not all that, but damn it, potato salad needs to be good and my mother makes amazing potato salad. I’m feeling generous so I’m about to tell you how she makes hers but for real, you guys can’t go telling everybody about this now.
Jan’s Potato Salad
Ingredients:
6-8 Red Potatoes
2 Eggs
1-1 1/2 Cups of Mayo
1/4 cup of Mustard
1/4 cup of Relish
Salt, Pepper, and Celery Salt to taste
Paprika for Color (optional)
Boil your potatoes until they are fork tender. Skin off or skin on is up to you. We do either.
Hard boil your eggs.
When potatoes are fork tender. Remove from water and heat and cool. We like to boil our potatoes the night before so their nice and cold the next day.
Chop your potatoes into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
Add the mayo to the potatoes and gently turn the potatoes so that they don’t fall apart. You want the mayo to fully coat the potatoes with a little to spare so add a little more mayo if potatoes seem dry.
Add the mustard and relish and do the same.
Season to taste with celery salt (a little goes a long way) then salt and pepper.
Sprinkle paprika on top for color (optional)
That’s my mama’s delicious potato salad!!!
Add some of these summer favorites to your cookouts this year and comment below and tell me how they were!!
Being Italian, living in Italy, Bruschetta is my favorite thing to eat during summer. I like to grill big slices of homemade bread and then add whatever I have in the fridge. Lately, my personal favorite is bruschetta with rice mozzarella ( I try to avoid cheese as much as I can even if I adore it! ) with olives and grilled pepperoni and zucchini. A spoon of olive oil, a bit of salt and your good to go. Easy and satisfying!