Summer is the season of impromptu BBQs, picnic potlucks and lazy, hazy bonfires at the beach. Usually, we’ll make last-minute plans with some friends and I always ask, “What can I bring?”
They usually reply, “Oh, maybe a salad? Or dessert?”
YES. Yes, I say, to both.
And lo, here is where I share with you the best salad and dessert recipe to keep in your back pocket and whip out when your next summer dinner invitation comes and you are asked to bring a salad or dessert.
This salad is always a crowd-pleaser (the bowl can often be found licked clean at the foot of the picnic table) and the dessert makes people groan in ecstasy.
(The term “salad” is used loosely here. There is broccoli involved, but there is also a cup of mayonnaise, half a pound of bacon and a brick of mozzarella cheese. Now you know why it’s so good.)
And for dessert, we have Homemade Salted Caramel Brownies. The recipe comes from the ever-fabulous Deb of Smitten Kitchen. The recipe is a bit time-consuming, but worth every minute. If you can, serve these warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream plopped on top. To DIE for.
What are your go-to “knock their socks off” recipes?
marinated goat cheese….one log, some olive oil and balsamic, chopped green olives and garlic and some fresh thyme. mix and pour over the log and spread on sliced baguette. wowsers.
I make a kick-ass key lime pie that always disappears in a flash. I never tell them how easy and fast is is to throw together.
If I want to try a new recipe I usually go to a site like allrecipes or tastykitchen and pick one that got a five star rating from 50 people. Usually pretty easy to find a winner that way.
Mmmm, key lime. I love the rating tool on those sites, too. Helps to pick a gooder!
My MIL makes that broccoli salad ALL THE TIME. I love it.
I always make our macaroni salad. It’s the #1 thing I get requests for when company comes to visit. As for dessert it depends on what’s in season but I love doing apple crisp or homemade oreos.