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Dog Days of Summer

(Photograph by katie wilcox)
In the Kitchen

August 2, 2021

Gertrude Treadaway

Simple Hot Dog Chili

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Add ground beef to a skillet and mash with a fork. Add just enough water to cover ground beef. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil while continuing to break up ground beef to a finer texture. Simmer until chili is thickened to your liking. Serve over hot dogs.

 

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

  • 6 cups watermelon, chopped
  • 2 cucumbers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup sliced red onion
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • 4 leaves of basil, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze

In a large bowl, toss together the watermelon, cucumbers, feta cheese and onion. Sprinkle with lime juice and basil. Season with salt. Stir well to coat. When ready to serve, drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Coleslaw

  • 1 head green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar 
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mix together mayo, sugar, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder and onion powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  

Toss dressing mixture with chopped cabbage and onion. Cover and chill at least one hour.

 

Wax Bean Salad

  • 1 pound fresh wax beans, trimmed 
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed 
  • 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • ½ cup yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the wax beans and green beans in the pot. Cover with a lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until they reach the desired tenderness. Drain and rinse beans with cool water. Pat dry.

In a small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk together.

In a large bowl, combine the wax beans, green beans, kidney beans and onion. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss. Cover and chill. 

Note: Canned green beans and wax beans may be substituted, but don’t cook them.

 

Baked Beans on the Grill

  • 16-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15.8-ounce can Northern white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 28-ounce can barbecue baked beans
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Heat grill to 350 F.

Combine all ingredients in an 8-by 8-inch disposable pan. Cover with tin foil. Place on grill for 20 minutes or until heated through.

 

Cowboy Caviar

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15-ounce can sweet corn, drained
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, lime juice, chili powder and salt.

Add tomatoes, black-eyed peas, beans, corn, red onion, bell peppers and jalapeno. Stir to combine.

Stir in cilantro. Cover and chill until serving time. Serve with tortilla chips.

 

Grape Salad Dessert

  • 2 pounds green seedless grapes
  • 2 pounds red seedless grapes
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup candied pecans
  • 8 ounces whipped topping

Rinse grapes and pat dry. In a large bowl, mix sour cream, brown sugar and vanilla. Add grapes to the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat. Add candied nuts and whipped topping. Sprinkle a little brown sugar and nuts on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Winner, 2015 George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

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