Food can be therapy, comfort, an expression of art or love, a hobby or a necessity.  In our house there are recipes for all of these.  I think with our fast paced lives and need for convenience, we have lost a little of the reverence and true fulfillment of a good home cooked meal.  I  like food that is uncomplicated with few ingredients.  Here are a couple recipes that we are looking forward to having this summer.

Here is a recipe I like for roasted beets, root vegetables or other grilled veggies.  I have used it on for zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus.  It makes a great addition to any grilled meat or fish.   I found it in the local paper, taken from “Jane Brody’s Good Food Book.”

Mustardy Dressing

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp cider or other vinegar

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, or 2 tsp dried dill weed

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl, combine ingredients and pour over veggies before or after cooking / grilling.

I first used this recipe after buying a bottle of “Tastefully Simple” BBQ sauce, it came with suggestions for use and recipe cards.  I have tried different peppers and different BBQ sauces.   The recipe stands as a good one.

BBQ chicken summer salad

4-diced, cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts

In a pinch I use a supermarket rotisserie chicken.   

4 stalks celery, chopped

1 chopped Anaheim or red bell pepper

1/2 diced red onion

1-7oz can sweet corn, drained or left over corn cut off the cob

1/2 cup BBQ  sauce-sweeter the better

1/2 cup mayonnaise

in a large bowl combine first 5 ingredients, toss.  In a small bowl combine BBQ and mayonnaise, add to salad.  Chill until served.

And a simple dessert from the classic “Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook” my husband inherited from his grandmother.  If you make cookies, you have most of the ingredients already.  I like to add chocolate chips,  I mean there is never enough chocolate right?

Classic Homemade Brownies-fudge style

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 squares (2 oz) unsweetened chocolate

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped nuts(optional)

In a medium saucepan melt margarine or butter and chocolate over low heat.  Remove from heat.  Stir in sugar, eggs,  and vanilla.  Beat lightly by hand just till combined.  Stir in flour and nuts (if using).  Spread into a greased 8x8x2 pan.  This is where I sprinkle milk chocolate or semi sweet chocolate chips on top.  I just put on what looks good to me, trying for a chip for every bite.  They tend to sink in a little so no need to stir.  Bake at 350 for 30 min.

I hope you can enjoy these recipes as much as we do!