grill marks

Lighten up! Summer's here. Here's a great, quick menu for any night of the week - perfect for company, too!

Herbed Lime Chicken

Serves: 2

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

You'll need:

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 1/4 C. fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 C. fresh basil leaves
• 5 cloves garlic
• 2 limes
• 1 T. salt
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 lb. thin sliced chicken breast

1) Juice the limes, and add 1 T. salt. Mix well.

2) Place chicken in lime and salt marinade for ten minutes.

3) Peel the garlic cloves, then combine them in a food processor with the mint, cilantro, basil, and olive oil. Pulse until mixture is paste-like.

4) Drain the lime marinade from the chicken, and slather on both sides with the herb paste.

5) Grill on med-high heat for 4 minutes per side, or until done.

Marinated Zucchini & Summer Squash

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 12-15 minutes

You'll need:

• 2 yellow summer squash
• 2 green zucchini
• 1/4 C. white wine vinegar
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 5 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 cloves garlic, well minced
• 3 T. olive oil
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 c. shredded parmesan (for garnish)

1) To prepare the squash and the zucchini, first wash well, then slice on a diagonal: "/ /"

2) Whisk together the vinegar, the lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and thyme.

3) Pour the marinade over the cut squash and zucchini, let marinate for at least 10 minutes, up to an hour.

4) Grill the squash and zucchini on a med-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, or until nice dark grill marks appear.

5) To serve: Arrange the zucchini and squash in an alternating pattern (i.e. green, yellow, green, yellow, etc.). Sprinkle parmesan over the top, and enjoy!

These two things were so light, and so tasty. They paired very well with:

Rice Pilaf

Salty Dog Cocktail

Recipe for Salty Dog: 1 part vodka, 2 parts grapefruit juice, ice, and a salted rim. Add twist of lime, and you're set!