Light salads, sweet fruits, and frozen cocktails are go to’s this time of year. When the temps are high we avoid heating up the kitchen at all costs. And since everything can’t be cooked outdoors I turn to simple sides for a burst of flavor and boost of color. Here are some of my favorites:

Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches

Ingredients

-2 peaches (peeled)

-12 basil leaves

-6 slices of prosciutto

Instructions

-Cut each peach into six wedges. Set aside

-Cut each slice of prosciutto in half, lengthwise, so you now have twelve slices of prosciutto.

-Place a basil leaf on each peach wedge and wrap with a prosciutto slice.

Smoked Salmon on Toast Points

Ingredients

-Pepperidge Farm Very Thin 

 White Bread 

-Crème Fraîche or Fage

 2% Greek Yogurt

-Smoked Salmon

-Fresh Dill

-Lemon

Instructions

-Lightly toast bread slices just before golden. Remove crust from each slice and cut into triangles.

-Spread very thin layer of crème fraîche or greek yogurt on each slice.

-Top with smoked salmon, dill, and light squeeze of fresh lemon.

Cold Melon

Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew Melon … 

Dress it up with a melon baller and keep it in the refrigerator all summer long.

What are your favorite summertime recipes? Send them my way. I’m also looking for tasty home-made popsicle recipes. Share yours @christenbondrealtor or email to

cbond@raypoynor.com.