Welcome to Spillt’s July 2022 edition of Monthly Menu. In this series, we will feature popular seasonal recipes from creators on the Spillt app, chosen for their summer flavors specifically for the month of July. This edition features 5 light and refreshing courses with a classic summer flavor. These recipes incorporate fresh produce and herbs, Mediterranean flavors, and childhood nostalgia that are perfect for midsummer.
To Start: Summertime Strawberry Feta and Mint Salad From Salads For Lunch
Janice from Salads for Lunch helps us kick off the monthly menu with her Strawberry Feta and Mint Salad. The dish features salad greens combined with sage leaves, mint, red onion, walnuts, feta cheese, and of course fresh strawberries. The recipe is topped with a sweet dressing that combines white balsamic vinegar, olive, honey, garlic, and shallots. This summertime mix achieves an excellent balance between the refreshing sweetness of the strawberries and honey with a nice bite from the vinaigrette that will make you come back for seconds.
Drink: Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie from Bessie Bakes
Bessie Bakes has created an electric refreshment with her Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie. This drink combines two summer classics with fresh strawberries and sweet lemonade. The lemonade is made through a simple combination of lemon juice, zest, and honey. Frozen strawberries bring thickness to the smoothie. . A secret final touch of fresh ginger adds a surprising “zing” to this recipe. Bessie also recommends trying this recipe as a popsicle, by pouring the smoothie into molds and popping them in the freezer.
Side: Labne Corn and Tomato Tart from Good Grief Cook
Lisa Keys of Good Grief Cook offers an exciting and unique side with her Labne Corn and Tomato Tart. The dish features probiotic and protein-rich labne, which is like a tangier, thicker yogurt made from cow’s milk. Puff pastry acts as the foundation for the tart. Cheese is then sprinkled onto the pastry before it is oven-baked until golden. Next, Labne and chives are spread across the tart before finishing with sweet corn, tomato, feta cheese, and basil on top. This crispy, creamy, refreshing recipe will serve as a delightful addition to your July dinner menu, especially with abundant selections of corn and tomatoes at the farmer’s market this summer.
Main Course: Shish Tawook from Little Ferraro Kitchen
Samantha from Little Ferraro Kitchen has created a recipe perfect for a July barbeque. Shish Tawaook, which means “chicken skewers” in Arabic, is a popular dish in Middle Eastern countries. These skewers achieve a wonderful harmony of smoky notes and lightness from lemon and yogurt. The chicken thighs are marinated in a lemony yogurt-based mixture of paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne. The Shish Tawaook are served hot off the grill but the leftovers would also be a great addition to a salad the day after.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Strawberry Crunch Cake from Joy to the Food
Mika from Joy to the Food has engineered an innovative and intriguing summer dessert with her Gluten-Free Strawberry Crunch Cake. This creation is to the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, a classic childhood and summertime favorite. This recipe combines homemade and store-bought elements to create a recipe that is delicious yet time-sensitive and approachable for a baker of any level. She begins with a pre-made vanilla cake mix that acts as the recipe’s base. Next, you prepare homemade frosting using cream cheese, sugar, butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. The crumble topping is made with golden creme cookies and strawberry jello mix, which are combined with melted butter and mixed together. This fruity yet decadent treat takes only an hour to prepare, serving as a fitting end to a meal with friends or family enjoyed under the July sun.
