Enjoy the last warm days and cool evenings of summer with these inexpensive party and cookout tips.
Grilled Vegetable Kabobs Vegetable kabobs are delicious, healthy and very easy to make. Here’s our favorite recipe. (You can use almost any kind of firm vegetable. These are our favorites.)
2 zucchini, cut into 2" chunks
2 yellow squash, cut into 2" chunks
8 oz. fresh mushrooms, cleaned
2 red and green bell peppers, cut into 2" chunks
2 medium red onions, cut into wedges
2 ears sweet corn, cut into 2" chunks
16 whole cherry tomatoes
8 oz. teriyaki sauce
Wash vegetables except mushrooms. Brush mushrooms clean. Prepare vegetables according to recipe. Cook corn in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Toss vegetables in teriyaki sauce. Thread vegetables onto skewers. Place on grill over medium-hot heat. Baste occasionally with teriyaki sauce. Grill 20 minutes or until tender.
Serves 8.
You can also add cubes of beef, pork, or chicken to get in some protein. Grocery Outlet has a bunch of tasty options for you to try. Just make sure the kabobs are cooked through, and then enjoy with this easy Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce.
Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
1 ½ cups plain whole-milk yogurt
¾ cup finely chopped cilantro
4 ½ tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tsps. finely chopped garlic
¾ tsp. cayenne
1 tsp. salt
Stir together all ingredients, then chill, covered, at least 30 minutes (for flavors to blend). Bring to room temperature before serving.
For dessert, you can have fruit kabobs. Fruit can also be grilled, or eaten fresh on skewers. Kids love stringing their own skewers and dipping them in our tangy and sweet yogurt dipping sauce. Try strawberries, oranges, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, and chunks of banana (sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice to slow down the browning process for the banana if you’re not going to serve immediately).
Fruit Dip
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. whipped topping
2 cups confectioners' sugar
Let cream cheese soften to room temperature. Combine all ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Serve immediately.
Serves 8.
Top off your party with some frugal, fabulous Sangria.
Sangria
1 bottle dry red wine
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 lg. lemon, sliced
1/2 lg. orange, sliced
2 c. club soda, Sprite, or Seven-Up
In large pitcher, combine all ingredients except club soda. Chill in refrigerator from 2 to 24 hours. Just before serving, add 2 cups club soda to pitcher. Serve over cracked ice in large glass goblet with a slice of lemon and orange.