Lea County Extension Office

Summertime Recipes

Home and Garden Show 2020 Presentation

The following information is being presented to you as a virtual Home and Garden Show by the Lea County Extension Service.  The Lea County Master Gardeners and the Lea County Family and Consumer Science Agent have put together several informative programs along with videos for you to enjoy! 

Summer Time Drinks

Sparkling Mint Lemonade
Ingredients: 
1 cup fresh Mint Leaves
1 cup Simple Syrup
1 cup Lemon Juice, freshly-squeezed
6 cups cold Water 2 cups Sparkling Water
 
Directions:
Slice lemon for garnish In a pitcher, add the fresh mint leaves and simple syrup. Gently muddle the leaves with a wooden spoon, being careful not to tear them. Stir in the lemon juice and cold water. Just before serving, add the ice and sparking water. Garnish with sliced lemon. Serves 10-12.

The Simple Syrup is made using the following directions--In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about three minutes. Chill thoroughly before using.

Raspberry Strawberry Margaritas

Ingredients:
1 ½ pints Strawberries
½ pint Raspberries
2/3 cup Sugar
½ cup freshly squeezed Lime Juice
1 ½ cups Tequila Silver
2/3 cup Orange Liqueur
Ice
Assorted Berries for garnish
Mint leaves for garnish
Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

Blend strawberries and raspberries together in a blender with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and ice.  Once blended, use a lime wedge to coat the top edge of the glass, then dip the glass in a ring of salt or sugar.  Pour margarita mixture into the glass, and top with assorted berries, mint leaves and a lime wedge on the edge of the glass.  Makes 6 servings. 

Summer Time Desserts

Angel Food Cake with Berries
Ingredients
1 Angel Food Cake
16 oz Whipped Topping, thawed
1 container Marshmallow Crème (7 oz)
2 teaspoons Almond Extract
1 pint each of Strawberries, Blueberries, Red Raspberries, Blackberries
Mint (optional)

Directions: 

Clean and cut the fruit, place in bowl.  Using a hand mixer, whip together ½ of the whipped topping with the marshmallow crème until smooth, once mixed, fold in additional whipped topping.  Add almond extract. 

Divide the Angel cake into thirds.  Begin layering the cake, then the whipped topping mixture, then the berries.  Repeat until finished with berries on top.  Garnish with fresh mint. Refrigerate until serving or serve immediately. 

This recipe is from the following website:  https://hoosierhomemade.com/angel-food-cake-with-berries/

Berry Dessert Pizza

Ingredients
1 package refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
1 package Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups heavy Cream
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Lemon Zest
1 cup Strawberries, sliced
1 cup Blueberries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Form the cookie dough into a large ball, then roll out into a flat circle on a pizza pan. It will expand, so make the crust slightly smaller in diameter than your pizza pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust turns slightly golden.

Whip the cream cheese for 2-3 minutes on high until it is smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until it becomes stiff and peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and add in the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Mix well until it's smooth and creamy. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator.

Remove the cookie crust from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes. You can place it in the refrigerator so it chills more quickly. Once cool, spread the cream cheese mixture over the entire crust. Decorate the pizza with circles of alternating strawberries and blueberries, or your favorite fruits. Serve immediately.

This recipe is from The Crafted Sparrow https://www.thecraftedsparrow.com/

Summer Time Grilling

Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:
3 small Zucchinis thinly sliced
2 cloves Garlic minced
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 ears Corn, husked and silk removed
1 lb cooked Penne Pasta
1 cup fresh halved Cherry Tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced fresh Basil
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Boil Pasta according to package directions.  In a small bowl, toss zucchini with garlic, oil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Grill zucchini and corn over medium-high heat.  Cook until tender and slightly charred. Remove from heat. Remove corn from cob and toss with squash mixture. Toss grilled mixture into hot cooked penne pasta and add tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Season pasta with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot. Makes 6 servings

Beef Pinwheels Beef Pinwheels

Ingredients
3 Steaks (beef, pork, venison, etc)
3 Roasted Bell Peppers
2 cups fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
1 cup shaved Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tsp finely chopped fresh Thyme

Directions:

Using a food mallet, pound the steaks until they are thin enough to add vegetables and roll up.  For ease, lay the steak between two pieces of plastic film to pound the steaks, it will cut down on the mess.  Once the steaks are pounded thin, sprinkle the meat with the salt, pepper and thyme and then arrange the bell peppers over the meat in a single layer. Top with the baby spinach leaves and finally, sprinkle with the shaved parmesan.

Starting at one of the shorter ends, start rolling the meat, as tightly as you can, wrapping the filling within the meat. Wrap the roll tightly and secure with a toothpick or cooking twine.  Cook the pinwheels until the meat is at your desired taste. This recipe is great cooked out on the grill, on the stove top or in the oven. Makes 8 pinwheels. 

We hope you enjoy the "Fruits of our Labor".  If you have Home or Garden Questions, or would like more information on Lea County Extension Programs please feel free to contact the Lea County Extension Service Staff at:

Agriculture Agent--Wayne Cox   hwcox@nmsu.edu
Family & Consumer Science Agent--Robin Haynes  rmack@nmsu.edu

4-H/Youth Development--Kayla Hinrichs kdawn07@nmsu.edu