Summer Foods

What foods make you think of summer?

I think of BBQ, corn on the cob, strawberries, and ice cream! Nothing beats a delicious steak or a rack of smoked ribs, fresh corn on the cob that tastes like candy, and a bowl of ice cream and fresh strawberries. I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering!!

I look forward to this food every year, just like I look forward to soups in the winter. There is something about food that brings the best out of the seasons. I still remember as a little girl going over to my grandparents’ house in the summer and having the best homemade ice cream or begging my grandpa to take me to Goodrich for a scoop of bubble gum ice cream. Like most grandpas, mine always gave in.  To this day that is still my favorite ice cream, not only for the flavor but for the rush of memories that comes back with every lick. I will always think of ice cream as synonymous with summer.

As I have gotten older and can appreciate more foods, BBQ on the grill has become one of my favorites. During these terribly hot months, I tend to cook as many things as possible on my grill.  Burgers, chicken, pork chops, and an occasional steak are my go-tos, but I also love to do ribs, stuffed peppers, and pizza. For the longest time I didn’t realize how many things you can cook on the grill, including many vegetables. I feel the grill or smoker can add so much flavor and dimension to your food.

That brings me to corn on the cob, can we all agree that this is one of the best parts of living in Nebraska? I mean we are the Cornhuskers. I feel like a good ear of corn from a local farmer is the best food of summer. Our family really likes Naber’s corn and produce when we go to the farmers market, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any. My favorite way to eat corn on the cob is in the instant pot but a few weeks ago I tried Hy-Vee’s firecracker corn on the cob and wow, was that good! I am now on the hunt for a similar recipe.

There are just so many wonderful choices during these summer months.  We can’t forget about a BLT with a tomato fresh from the garden, fresh cucumbers with a little ranch, green beans with bacon, grilled asparagus, zucchini bread, and all the cold salads. We all have our favorite summer foods that we just can’t get enough of.  Summer is just a fantastic and flavorful time of the year. I hope you enjoy all your favorites and maybe a few of mine! 

Corn on the Cob

I place 6-8 ears of corn in instant pot, with a cup of water, and 2 tablespoons butter and steam/pressure cook for 4 minutes. 

Grilled Chicken Pesto Pizza

• Pizza crust bought or made (personally I love the crusts from Le Quartier) 

• Pesto bought or made (recipe in a previous blog) 

• 1 lb chicken ( I usually buy a breast cut into bite size pieces and pan fry with salt and pepper until no longer pink)  

• 1 red bell pepper 

• 1 yellow bell pepper 

• 1-2 cups white cheddar cheese or mozzarella  

Start grill and cook at around 350. First lay down the top of the pizza crust on the grate and cook for 2 minutes. Flip crust over and smear the pesto to an inch of the crust, place the chicken, sliced peppers, and cheese onto pizza until cheese in bubbly. Enjoy!

Ribs (Traeger Recipe)

• 1 rack of St Louis-style ribs 

• Pork rub  

• 3 Tbsp butter 

• ½ cup brown sugar 

• ½ cup agave 

• ½ cup BBQ sauce

  Start Traeger to 250 and preheat with lid closed 15 min. Season ribs with rub and place directly on the grill rib side down. Cook for 3 hours.  

  Stack 2 pieces of tin foil on the table large enough to cover one rack of ribs. In the center of the foil place 3 Tbsp butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup agave. Place the rib rack meat side down on top of the brown sugar mixture and wrap tightly.  

  Place ribs on the grill meat side down and cook an additional 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until internal temperature reaches 203F.  

  Remove ribs from grill and cover with ½ cup BBQ sauce. Rewrap and return to grill an additional 10 minutes for sauce to thicken