“Christmas in July!” Holiday Make-overs for Summer Menus Made Easy

Posted on Jul 21 2015 - 5:29pm by Jessi Meehan

 

Holiday staples take a Summery spin….

Turkey: How ‘bout Turkey Burgers in the grill pan?

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INGREDIENTS

2 slices white sandwich bread (about 1 ounce each)
1 pound (93 percent lean) ground turkey
2 ounces cheddar and jack cheese, coarsely grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 small onion, coarsely grated
other 1/2 small onion sliced for sautéing
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
12 mini-size buns
Lettuce, extra cheese, avocado, sliced tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard, for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a food processor, pulse bread until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl; add turkey, cheese, and onion. Season with salt and pepper, and mix gently just until combined. Form twelve 2-inch patties (about 3 tablespoons each).
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook patties until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Saute sliced onions in the same pan until translucent/soft. Serve on rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard, if desired.

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Cranberries: Cran Mayo is a winner!

INGREDIENTS
½ cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp. canned cranberry sauce (I used the chunky kind. I bet this will taste even better when the fall cranberry harvest starts rolling into stores!)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Make yourself a sandwich and pat yourself on the back for making some awesome cranberry mayonnaise.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Christmas Spuds: Sweet Potato Fries are also a sure fave! Cut fresh, OR – Trader Joe’s has a great selection of frozen, or you can cut your own fresh.

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Festive Veggie Cups: We served these crisp and crunchy specials during the Spring and thought they would make a great addition to Christmas in July! Check out this Spring-time delight turned Summer favorite HERE!

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Peppermint Dessert: Your favorite vanilla bean a la mode served with crushed peppermint candies, OR in our case I will just grab a few candy canes from the freezer. You never know at our house when a candy cane will come in handy! OR, mix crushed candy with slightly softened ice cream (not fully melted) , and fill Popsicle containers. Freeze ‘til firm, then roll in additional crushed candies and Santa Pops will delight any kid young or old.

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Table Treasures can easily just be red and green placemats with a few interesting ornaments from your Christmas Box, a saved wreath, or just a strand of battery lights, or make it really easy and use Holiday disposables on a red or green table cloth.

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Last year we hosted a Holiday dinner in July for “Christmas Past”…check it out HERE!

Joy to the World and to Joyous times with Friends and Family!