Southern Summer Supper Menu

What could be better than farm fresh produce?  I love summer because our local farmer's market has an ample supply of vegetables and fruits.  First thing this morning, we headed to our local farm market & returned home with a back seat full of fresh fruits & veggies:  blackberries, blueberries, peaches, melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, butter beans, corn, summer squash, and okra.  Of course this calls for a southern summer supper, in the style of my mama and grandmother!  What's on the menu?  Here it is:

BBQ country style ribs
Chili pepper blue cornbread
Sliced tomatoes and cucumbers
Summer squash casserole with bread crumb topping
Fried okra & potatoes
Succotash (butter beans & corns, maybe with some tomatoes thrown in!)
Green beans topped with new potatoes
Peach Blueberry Cobbler with whipped cream

After washing everything and chopping what needs to be chopped or sliced or diced, supper is on the stove, in the oven, and in the slow cooker!  And it smells divine!

Recipes coming up next!

Marinated Shrimp and Artichoke Appetizer

  (Adapted from a Southern Living recipe)

This could also be served as a light dinner entree.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (0.75-oz.) envelope Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
• 1 pound peeled and deveined, large cooked shrimp (21/30 count)
• 1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half
• 1 (6-oz.) can large black olives, drained
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1 (4-oz.) package feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Small fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Whisk together balsamic vinegar and next 3ingredients in a bowl. Stir in shrimp and next 4 ingredients. Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.
2. Stir in desired amount of basil just before serving. Serve with a slotted spoon.

This can easily be doubled to serve more!

Quick Peach or Blueberry Cobbler

This was a favorite recipe that my Mom made often in the summer months when fresh peaches and blueberries are available.  You can even use a combination of peaches & blueberries!  Top if off with a little whipped cream or ice cream and it's divine.

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar ( I use 1/2 cup of Splenda baking blend)

¾ cup milk

2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

sprinkle of cinnamon

In 10 x 10 pyrex or aluminum pan, melt 1 stick margarine or butter. Mix other ingredients together and pour over melted butter.  Do not stir.  To 3 cups fruit, add ¾ cup sugar (I use 1/2 cup Splenda baking blend).  Spoon fruit over batter.  Do not stir.  Bake about 40 minutes at 325 in pyrex or 350 in aluminum pan or until brown.  When done, fruit will be on bottom.