Top 5 Recipes for August

August is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients and savor the last days of summer. Here are five delicious recipes to try this month:

1. Grilled Corn Salad with Coconut-Peanut Chaat 🌽🥥🥜

Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Grill the corn until lightly charred. Let cool, then cut the kernels off the cob.
2. In a large bowl, combine the corn, coconut, peanuts, cilantro, mint, red onion, and green chili.
3. Sprinkle with chaat masala, lime juice, and salt. Toss well and serve.

2. Summer Fruit Cobbler with Vanilla-Mascarpone Biscuits 🍑🍓🍒

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed summer fruits (peaches, berries, cherries)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the fruits, 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour into a baking dish.
3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a small bowl, mix mascarpone, heavy cream, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the fruit mixture. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the biscuits are golden and the fruit is bubbly.

3. Grilled Shrimp and Lettuces with Charred Green Goddess Dressing 🍤🥗

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 heads baby lettuce, halved
• Olive oil for grilling
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

• 1 cup fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup fresh scallions
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush shrimp and lettuce with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Grill lettuce until lightly charred, about 1-2 minutes per side.
3. For the dressing, char parsley and scallions on the grill. Blend with mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Serve grilled shrimp and lettuce with the dressing.

4. Roasted Curry Tomato Pie 🍅🥧

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust
• 4 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1/4 cup tamarind paste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out pie crust and fit into a pie dish.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until caramelized. Stir in turmeric and curry powder.
3. Spread tamarind paste over the pie crust. Layer with caramelized onions, tomato slices, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the tomatoes are tender.

5. Plum Upside-Down Cake 🍰🍑

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4-5 plums, pitted and sliced
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt 4 tbsp butter in a 9-inch cake pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and arrange plum slices on top.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
4. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter over plums.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate.

Enjoy these recipes and make the most of the fresh produce available in August! If you need more recipe ideas or have any questions, feel free to ask. Happy cooking!