We’re summer girls, so it is with heavy heart that we have to say this: Summer is . . . GASP. . . almost over. Cue the melodrama. But in truth, since we both have high schoolers, we are already back in the land of paperwork and schedules and carpools. <sigh> There are so many things we will miss once the air turns crisp . . .

But in addition to the long, unscheduled days, our daily adventures in surf and sand, and the easiest wardrobe ever (we should probably write an ode to our beloved flipflops, but our long unstructured days are coming to an end), here are. . .

 

1. Caprese Salad-on-a-Stick

This is one of Erin’s favorite summer potluck dishes. She takes it to nearly every party and it gets gobbled up in no time flat. These are super-easy to assemble and deliver big on flavor, but they are best with fresh in-season tomatoes and basil. So pull up a chair, put on your favorite tunes, and get toothpicking.

2. Red Sangria

Ellen dreamed up this lovely cocktail to complement all of the yummy eats she serves at her annual Labor Day party. It is so good you’ll want to make it for special occasions all year long, but this IS summer’s drink with all of the fresh fruit and its reputation as the most perfect chilled cocktail ever. It just won’t be the same once you’ve packed away those white pants and switched out your flip-flops for Uggs. So grab this recipe for your own end-of-summer shindig.

3. Watermelon Salsa

This salsa tastes like summer in a bowl which means that when you make it out of season, it tastes like . . . well, a refrigerated truck from Sausalito. Fresh watermelon is one of the keys to this nearly perfect recipe for salsa. So make some quick before it’s too late.

4. Whiskey Sour Slush

Erin’s family keeps a batch in the freezer all summer long. It’s the perfect frozen drink and our friends request big batches for all summer parties. Now we are sharing her dad Ed’s recipe for all the world to see. Just make sure that you thank him next time you see him around. We actually DO make this drink year round, but it just tastes the best on a hot day in the summer. Go figure.

5.  Eastern Shore Crab Cakes with a Twist

We’re both Maryland girls, so we grew up eating the blue crabs every summer, but Ellen is a legit Eastern Shore chick. This recipe might cause a minor uproar as she deviates from the traditional much-beloved recipe, but it’s such a delicious variation that we think you’ll agree that she is more than forgiven for taking her liberties.

6. Crabs

But we like our crabs straight up too. Whether you flavor them with a little Old Bay or a little Kosher Salt and Cayenne Pepper, a crab feast by any of our various shores is the epitome of a Maryland summer.

And if you are old enough to hold a crayon, you are gonna learn how to peel your own crabs. Even if your Mom and Dad moved you to Pittsburgh.

7. Tomatoes

We are just gonna say it out loud: Tomatoes have got one season and this is it. When they have to travel to get to your table, they get all petulant and put out and don’t taste anything like their wonderful, flavorful cousins who ripened on your vine this summer. If your garden is lousy with these gems, then we can help you spin your gold into something really useful . . . like bruschetta.

So, even though summer is now in our rearview mirror as we head on into autumn, at least you now have a lovely parting gift—our favorite summer recipes.

Catch ya next year, Summer!

-Erin and Ellen