Summer Lovin'

Having just moved to sunny California, and having just bought a grill (thanks Mom and Dad), we are trying to eat as many summery foods as possible. Tonight the menu consists of: Grilled Mushroom and Asiago Sausage (Adam)/California Veggie Burger (me), Fingerling Potato Salad with Gremolata Dressing, and New-Fashioned Apple and Raisin Slaw.

The sausage and veggie burger are absolutely delicious after grilled to perfection.

Fingerling Potato Salad with Gremolata Dressing (Cooking Light, July 2008)

We don't actually have any fingerling potatoes, so we used a variety of red, gold, and purple potatoes. You can steam the potatoes by putting them in the microwave in a container with just a bit of water. Super easy!

1/2 lbs. white fingerling potatoes
1/2 lbs. red fingerling potatoes
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbs. extravirgin olive oil
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 garlic clove, crushed and minced
1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. capers, drained

1. Steam potatoes, covered, 12 minutes or until tender. Cover and chill.
2. Combine juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; slowly add oil, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in rind and garlic; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and capers.
3. Cut potatoes into quarters; add potatoes to juice mixture, tossing to coat.

New-Fashioned Apple and Raisin Slaw (Cooking Light, Jan.-Feb. 2007)

We had leftover red cabbage from an orzo salad we made this weekend, so it seemed a good idea to make a slaw with our summery, grilled dinner. I used it instead of the package of cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw. We also don't have white balsamic vinegar, so I used apple cider vinegar. After eating the slaw, I believe it would be even better with walnuts.

1/2 cup light sour cream
3 Tbs. reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbs. white balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups unpeeled chopped Rome apple (about 1 medium)
1 cup golden raisins
1 (16-oz.) package cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add apple, raisins, and coleslaw; toss to combine.