Summer Peach Recipes at the Lake

Photo courtesy of Unsophisticook

You know it’s summertime when you bite into your first ripe peach and taste that unmistakable sweet nectar that only this fruit delivers. From peaches and homemade ice cream to spicy peach salsa paired with savory pork, these juicy jewels are always something to look forward to year after year. So while they’re bursting from the bins at the farmer’s market or fresh for the taking at a roadside fruit stand, grab them while you can and savor them at their peak in these delicious recipes we’ve gathered just for you. But first, whip up a batch of Frozen Peach Bellinis to celebrate in style—sip and enjoy.

Sweet & Savory

Photo courtesy of Lively Table

For a sweet start to your lakeside happy hour, serve up this delicious appetizer featuring the long-awaited summer peach. This Peach Bruschetta with Prosciutto and Burrata offers the perfect blend of sweet and salty with crunchy and creamy. Just brush your favorite bread with olive and toast in the oven. When it’s golden brown, simply spread bread slices with burrata and top with a slice of prosciutto, some fresh peach slices, sea salt, and honey. Garnish with baby arugula or fresh basil, and pair with a crisp pinot grigio, chardonnay, or rosé. For the recipe and some creative variations, visit Lively Table.

Savory & Succulent

Photo courtesy of John Kernick via Food & Wine

The very thought of pairing peaches with onions might have less adventurous palates making a run for it. But not if you use sweet and juicy Vidalia onions—that’s the trick. This innovative recipe—Grilled Peach, Onion, and Bacon Salad with Buttermilk Dressing—combines the bold flavor of bacon caramelized with brown sugar and cayenne pepper with grilled sweet onions and peaches brushed with olive oil. Toss this aromatic concoction with a creamy buttermilk dressing seasoned with mint and chives, and you get a summer salad sensation like no other. It’s delicious and surprisingly filling. For the recipe, visit Food & Wine.

Jewels of July

Photo courtesy of Christopher Testani via Epicurious

For a hearty starter or an eye-catching meal unto itself, try this refreshing Tomato-Peach Salad with Tofu Cream made with all the colorful fruits of summer. Mix a vibrant toss of fresh peaches, heirloom tomato wedges, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and fresh corn kernels, and plate over an innovative and incredibly creamy tofu—yes, tofu—dressing. Made with olive oil, soy sauce, Sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper, it delivers a wonderful umami flavor that no one will ever suspect is tofu. Top with chopped chervil, plus the sprigs, and serve with thick grilled or toasted country-style bread. For this quick and easy recipe, visit Epicurious.

Sweet Heat

Photo courtesy of Alison Miksch via Southern Living

An all-time fav, tacos are the perfect summer fare for any lakeside get-together. Put a fresh and fruity spin on this iconic dish with these Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa. There’s nothing more delectable than a savory and tender slow-cooked meat—beef brisket or pork—topped with a colorful, crunchy salsa made with fresh peaches, jalapenos, cucumbers, garlic, cilantro, salt, and lime. Your tortillas never had it so good, and you can’t beat the unexpected, spicy punch of sweet peaches with adobo chile. Visit Southern Living for their creative take on a classic. Enjoy!

Peaches with a Punch

Photo courtesy of Joel Goldberg via Delish

Margaritas, anyone? Yes, please. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day at the lake than imbibing in a frosty and fruity homemade margarita. These thirst-quenching Peach Margaritas take a classic cocktail to the next level with a power punch of peach schnapps and peach puree. The dynamic duo brings an intense peach flavor that satisfyingly tempers the tequila without overpowering it. Visit Delish for this quick and breezy 5-minute recipe.

Burger Bliss

Photo courtesy of Hector Sanchez via Southern Living

Grilled burgers are an iconic summer fav—especially at the lake. So, when fresh peaches make their seasonal debut, why not amp up your grilling game with these savory Bacon, Peach, and Basil burgers. This recipe calls for lean ground sirloin, which will help prevent charring flare-ups while you’re grilling. Pickled jalapenos, tangy peach chutney, and fresh peach slices bring a juicy kick, while savory bacon and creamy goat cheese help temper the heat. Top with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic just-picked-from-the-garden flavor burst. For instructions on how to create this creative dish, visit My Recipes.

Summer in a Glass

Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker

The best thirst-quencher on a hot summer day? This Perfect Peach Iced Tea is made with an intensely flavored peach simple syrup that tastes like liquid candy. Southern-inspired, the recipe calls for loose-leaf black tea, organic cane sugar, and ripe peaches for an amazingly full-bodied iced drink that’s also simple to make. Check out Minimalist Baker for the recipe.

Cold Creamy Goodness

Photo courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo via Food & Wine

Who doesn’t love homemade ice cream on a hot summer day? If you have the patience and the time to make it, this one is worthy. A quintessential summer classic, this Peach-Maple Ice Cream is brought to you by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Aside from fresh ripe peaches at their peak, its flavor secret lies in the addition of pure maple syrup, vanilla bean, and a kick of bourbon. Serve this delectable dessert alone or as a topping over pancakes, cobbler, shortcakes, or anything your heart desires. For the recipe, visit Food & Wine.

Pie Perfection

Photo courtesy of Hector Sanchez via Southern Living

This Peach Melba Ice-Cream Pie will undoubtedly become an instant hit after a summer dinner with its festive colors and knock-out fruit flavors. A crisp, press-in crust made with almond cookies and roasted almonds creates an irresistible sweet and salty combo that mingles perfectly with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet. Top with fresh peaches and raspberries for a cool treat that’s soon to become a summer classic. Visit My Recipes for the recipe.

Here’s to a delicious—and peachy—summer at the lake. Cheers!

5 Go To Burger Recipes for Summer Grilling

What is a barbeque without grilled hamburgers? Listed here are five amazing burger recipes that you can use to kick up the meal for the family and friends. From spicy to classic, these recipes will offer great tasting food that your guests are sure to enjoy.

To make it fun, you can always make it a burger sampler and competition. Reduce the recipes and make each type of burger into sliders, have everyone try each type, then find out which burger is the favorite!

1. Grilled Ketchup with Onions and Yellow Pepper

grilling burgers by the lakeSmoky, spicy and tangy, this great recipe offers a great-tasting burger that has a unique taste. The grilled bell peppers and onions add even more of a charred flavor to any burger.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Pounds of Roma Tomatoes – Cored, Halved
  • ½ Cup of Malt Vinegar
  • 4 tsp. of Salt
  • 2 tsp. of Spicy Pepper Sauce
  • 1 tsp. of Allspice
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 1 Medium Sized Onion – Cut into ½ inch Rounds, Separate Rings
  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper – Cored, Seeded, Cut to ½ Inch Strips
  • 2 Tbsp. of Oil
  • 1 ½ pounds of Ground Beef
  • Pepper
  • 4 Buns

Directions:

  1. For the tomato ketchup, heat up the grill pan to a medium-high heat. Grill the tomatoes with the skin side down until it has dark grill lines. It will take about five minutes.
  2. Flip them over and cook for 10 minutes. Chop them to pieces.
  3. Transfer the tomatoes to a sauté pan. Stir in the sugar, vinegar, salt, allspice, bay leaf, spicy pepper sauce, and cinnamon stick.
  4. Sauté it until it is almost dry.
  5. For the burgers, sprinkle the onions and the peppers with ½ teaspoon of salt and toss it with 1 tablespoon of oil.
  6. Grill the onions and the peppers until they are charred and softened. Flip only once. It will take about six minutes.
  7. Cook the burgers and then top it with the ketchup and the onions.

2. Upscale Slider Burgers

These taste amazing and will leave people wanting more. This recipe is very easy to do and you will have an easy recipe that packs a great flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 6 Slices of Pancetta
  • 1 Pound of Ground Beef Sirloin
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. of Oil
  • 6 Slices of Gruyere
  • 6 Mini Buns – Toasted
  • 3 Tbsp. of Stone Ground Mustard
  • 6 Cornichons

Directions:

  1. Preheat your grill to 400 degree Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper, and then spread the pancetta slices on it. Bake until crisp. It will take about 10 minutes.
  2. Divide the beef into six portions and then into patties. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
  3. Oil the grill, and cook the patties for five to seven minutes on each side until it is done.
  4. Add the Gruyere slices on the patties. Cover them with the lid so that the cheese melts. Remove them from the grill.
  5. Assemble your burgers on the buns with the crisp pancetta.

3. Latin Macho Burger

If you like jalapenos, then you are going to love this burger. From onions and jalapenos to brown sugar and adobo seasoning, this burger offers a punch of flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 12 Ounces of Ground Beef
  • 8 Ounces of Chorizo
  • 1 Tbsp. of Adobo Seasoning
  • 3 Large Yellow Onions – 1 Sliced Thin, 1 Grated
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • ½ Cup of Minced Jalapeno
  • ½ Cup of Brown Sugar
  • ¾ Cup of Mayonnaise
  • 2 Red Bell Peppers – Roasted
  • 6 Potato Rolls – Split
  • 6 Slices of Cheese

Directions:

  1. Mix the chorizo, beef, adobo, and the grated onion in a large mixing bowl. Form it into six patties. Refrigerate them for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Add in the sliced onions and the salt and pepper. Add in the jalapeno peppers and the brown sugar. Sauté until the onions are completely caramelized. Make sure they are soft.
  3. Puree the mayo and the red peppers in a food processor or a blender until creamy. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat the grill on high. Grill your patties until they are cooked to desired degree.
  5. Spread about one tablespoon of red pepper sauce on both sides of the bread. Lay the burger on the half and then top it with the caramelized onions.

4. The Classic Burger

This is a recipe for those who want a simple, classic, cheeseburger. There is not much seasoning in the recipe so the focal point of the flavor is on the meat, so make sure you buy high quality 80/20 or 70/30 ground beef.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ Pounds of Ground Beef
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. of Oil
  • 4 Slices of Cheese
  • 4 Buns – Split, Toasted
  • Burger toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard)

Directions:

  1. Divide your meat in 4 equal portions. Form patties from it. Push the middle down to form an indention. Season both of the sides of the burger with some salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the grill on high. Brush your burgers with the oil.
  3. Grill your burgers until it is brown.
  4. Add the cheese to the tops of the burgers on the last minute of them cooking to melt the cheese.

5. Cheese Stuffed Grill Burgers

Because you can never go wrong by adding more cheese to any recipe! This is another recipe in which not a lot of seasoning is needed, but on the inside you will find melty, cheesy, goodness!

Ingredients:

  • 2 Pounds of Ground Beef
  • 1 tsp. of Salt
  • ½ tsp. of Pepper
  • 8 Ounces of Cheese – Your Choice

Directions:

  1. Mix the beef with salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl and form it into 8 balls. Press the cube of cheese into the center of the balls.
  2. Cover the cheese with the meat.
  3. Form the balls into hamburger patties.
  4. Grill the burgers until they are done.

Grilling out and cooking burgers at the lake is an All-American tradition enjoyed by many every summer. Keep in mind that burgers are great blank canvases, so don’t be afraid to have fun and experiment with your own recipes!

Head out to the lake, and light up the grill with your friends and family this weekend! And while you’re at it, give some of these great summer cocktail recipes a try.