Summer is here, the days are longer and warmer, and we all want to spend more time with friends, family, cooking and eating outside making these months an experience that renews us in every way including our palates.
In this post we share some ideas for you to cook delicious meals at home and you can share them with friends. All the ingredients are available at our Farmers Market.
We hope you like these recipes. We are waiting for you at the Historic Manassas Farmers Market, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursdays at the Harris Pavilion and Saturdays in the Prince William Street Commuter Parking Lot.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers:
Ingredients:
Assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and mushrooms)
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Thread them onto skewers, alternating between different vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill the skewers over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
Watermelon and Feta Salad:
Ingredients:
Watermelon, cubed.
Feta cheese, crumbled.
Fresh mint leaves, chopped.
Lime juice
Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped mint leaves. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle with black pepper. Toss gently to combine and serve chilled.
Gazpacho
Ingredients:
Ripe tomatoes, chopped.
Cucumber peeled and chopped.
Red bell pepper seeded and chopped.
Red onion, chopped.
Garlic cloves, minced.
Tomato juice
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and garlic. Blend until smooth. Add tomato juice, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to achieve the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Chill the gazpacho in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Summer Vegetable Pasta:
Ingredients:
Pasta of your choice
Assorted summer vegetables (such as zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplant), diced or sliced.
Olive oil
Garlic, minced.
Fresh basil leaves, chopped.
Lemon juice
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add the diced or sliced summer vegetables to the skillet and cook until they are tender and slightly charred.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the vegetables.
Remove from heat and add chopped basil leaves, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
Optional: Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Berry Yogurt Parfait:
Ingredients:
Fresh mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
Greek yogurt
Honey
Granola
Instructions:
Layer a glass or a bowl with Greek yogurt, followed by a drizzle of honey. Add a layer of mixed berries on top, then sprinkle with granola. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used. Finish with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola on the top.
And for those who love cocktails, here are two nice suggestions for you to try.
The Farmer's Market Margarita
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce lime juice
0.5-ounce orange liqueur
0.5-ounce simple syrup
4-5 fresh mint leaves
1 sprig of rosemary, for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and ice. Shake vigorously until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled margarita glass rimmed with salt. Garnish with the rosemary sprig.
The Summer Berry Spritzer
2 ounces vodka
1-ounce fresh lemon juice
0.5-ounce simple syrup
6-8 fresh blackberries
6-8 raspberries
4 ounces club soda
Instructions:
Muddle the blackberries and raspberries in the bottom of a glass. Add the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Stir to combine. Top with club soda and garnish with fresh berries.
We hope you have a great summer, and don't forget to visit your local Farmers Market to get the freshest and best products.
