When the forecast starts with “hot” and ends with “even hotter,” you know we’re in the Dog Days of Summer.
In addition to shameless perspiration, this time is the perfect excuse to enjoy fresh food, cool drinks, and meals that don’t require turning your kitchen into a sauna.
Whether you’re relaxing on the patio, gathering with family, or spending a quiet morning by the lake, here are five delicious ways to make the most of summer’s tastiest season.
1. Fresh Farmers Market Salads
If you’ve wandered through a farmers market lately, you’ve probably noticed that everything looks too good to pass up.
Tomatoes are actually red, peaches smell like peaches, and rhubarb is rhubarbing.
Build a colorful salad with fresh greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, berries, or grilled corn. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or fresh mozzarella, then drizzle on a simple homemade vinaigrette.
It’s light, refreshing, and won’t leave you looking for a nap before the day’s over.
2. Fresh Catch on the Grill
Summer and grilling go together like sunshine and sunscreen.
Whether you reeled in dinner yourself or made a quick stop at the local fish market, fresh fish is hard to beat this time of year.
Walleye, trout, salmon, and perch pair beautifully with grilled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon. If you spent the morning casting a line and actually caught something, congratulations—you’ve earned bragging rights along with dinner.
If not, that’s what the fish market is for.
It’s possible that we may have a basket to plug related to fishing.
3. Cool Treats Beyond Traditional Ice Cream
Ice cream will always have a place in summer (and fall, winter, and spring), but it’s not the only way to endure the heat.
Fruit sorbets, frozen yogurt, homemade popsicles, and smoothie bowls topped with fresh berries offer lighter options that are every bit as refreshing. They’re also a perfectly acceptable excuse to eat fruit for dessert.
That’s called balance.
4. Refreshing Summer Beverages
Water and electrolytes—I know.
Fresh lemonade, iced herbal tea, sparkling water infused with citrus or berries, and fruit smoothies all deliver plenty of flavor without weighing you down.
If the day calls for something a little more celebratory (and it certainly should!) a crisp white wine or light sangria enjoyed responsibly on the patio is a nice way to toast another beautiful summer evening.
5. Patio Dining at Local Restaurants
Sometimes the best summer meal is the one someone else cooks.
Take advantage of patio season while it lasts by visiting your favorite local restaurant. Seasonal menus feature fresh seafood, grilled specialties, and produce sourced from nearby farms.
Stay a little longer than you planned, enjoy another glass of iced tea and/or your favorite cocktail, and soak up one of those perfect summer evenings that always seem to fly by.
Summer has a funny way of disappearing just when you’ve figured out how to enjoy it. Before the calendar turns to fall, make time for a few memorable meals.
🎣 SHAMLESS PLUG ALERT 🎣
So, while you’re fishing, wouldn’t it be great if you had some nice treats to keep you company, along with your catches?
Our Gone Fishing Gift Basket is awesome, if we may say so ourselves. Built in a creel shaped willow basket, it’s got: Fishing theme picture frame; Think Jerky; Realm Veggie Crisps, nuts, and other yummy snacks.
Good luck on the lake!
About BasketWorks
BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!
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