~picnic time~

It's summer! To me that means lots of eating outdoors =) There's just something about eating outside that makes dinner (or lunch) into more of an event than a chore. Below are some fantastic (and simple) recipes for a summer picnic.

Lemonade
it's not summer without it



Ingredients:
5 lemons
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 quarts water

Directions:
1. Peel the rinds from the 5 lemons and cut them into 1/2 inch slices. Set the lemons aside.
2. Place the rinds in a bowl and sprinkle the sugar over them. Let this stand for about one hour, so that the sugar begins to soak up the oils from the lemons.
3. Bring water to a boil in a covered saucepan and then pour the hot water over the sugared lemon rinds. Allow this mixture to cool for 20 minutes and then remove the rinds.
4. Squeeze the lemons into another bowl. Pour the juice through a strainer into the sugar mixture. Stir well, pour into pitcher and pop it in the fridge! Serve with ice cubes.


Pasta Salad
super easy and delicious




Ingredients:
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons country-style grainy mustard
1 pound cooked ditalini pasta
1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers (from water-packed jar)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and ground black pepper
2 cups small mozzarella balls


Directions:
In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, oil and mustard. Add cooked pasta, red peppers and basil and toss to combine. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Fold in mozzarella cheese.


Berry Napoleons
simple & elegant



Ingredients:
Cooking spray
12 wonton wrappers
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup whipped topping
1 cup raspberries, blackberries or sliced strawberries, or any berry combination
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Mint to garnish, if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Arrange wonton wrappers on prepared baking sheet and spray the surface with cooking spray. Sprinkle sugar over wontons.

3. Bake 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove wontons from oven and arrange 4 on a serving platter (or individual dessert dishes).

4. Top each wonton with 2 tablespoons whipped topping and then 2 tablespoons berries.

5. Top with second wonton wrapper. Repeat layers (whipped topping, berries, wonton wrapper). Sift confectioners' sugar over top layer. Serve immediately.