Quick pickles

Ah, summertime.  When the days are hot and the garden is bountiful.  Need a way to use those freshly picked cucumbers?  These quick pickles from Rachael Ray are fantastic- perfect for burger night or straight out of the jar!

Cookie dough peanut butter cups

Chocolate and peanut butter together are my JAM.  And the only thing better than a chocolate peanut butter cup is one with a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough in the center! 

* Recipe from How Sweet It Is.
* These get a little messy as the chocolate starts to melt, so have napkins ready!

Peach-maple ice cream

In honor of National Ice Cream Day (apparently a real thing), I'm sharing this gem of a recipe for peach-maple ice cream from Bobby Flay.  The maple syrup and bourbon give it extra depths of flavor, and this is a delicious way to take advantage of peach season!

* I used 1 tsp. vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean because, convenience.

Grilled peach and corn salad

Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of year, but peach season in Arkansas might be a close second.  I can't get enough of them!  This salad from How Sweet It Is is a perfect way to enjoy juicy, delicious peaches.  The flavor combination of grilled peach, corn, mozzarella and pistachios is one for the history books.  Try it!

Note: Original recipe calls for apricot but I subbed peaches, because as stated above, they're my favorite.

Peach slab pie

 

So apparently slab pies are a "thing", and it's brilliant if you ask me- you don't have to hassle with rolling out the dough, and it feeds a crowd? Perfect!  This peach streusel slab pie from Food Network Kitchen was a BIG hit with my crew.  The buttery crust, juicy peach filling, and sweet almondy streusel is a trifecta of deliciousness!

Note: this recipe is not for the butter-weary, as it calls for almost 3 (three!) sticks, but don't let that scare you- your crowd will love you for it!  

Peanut butter Oreo ice cream

It's summertime, and at this house, that means lots and lots of ice cream.  We made this peanut butter Oreo version from Nutmeg Nanny and it really hit the spot.  Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations, and this doesn't disappoint!!

Chocolate pecan oatmeal cookie pie

This chocolate pecan oatmeal cookie pie from Crazy for Crust was a big hit at our Bachelorette watch party.  We took her suggestion to top it with salted caramel ice cream and it was delicious!!!