Quick and Cool Vacation Foods

   When I pack for a long weekend away at a friend’s lake house or a rental, I don't just bring extra sandals and a sunhat. I bring enough food so that I don't have to make any trips to the store while I'm there. Those long weekends away from the hassles of my regular life are precious to me, and I don't want to spend any of my time at the supermarket. I've also learned that it's also worth it to prepare some make-ahead vacation recipes in advance, too, so that I can spend even more of my time lounging on the dock with my friends.

   Another reason to pack some make-ahead recipes, especially for a rental house: you never know what kind of equipment that kitchen is going to have. You can't assume there will be a blender or a food processor or a slew of pots, pans, and mixing bowls, or a well-stocked pantry or spice cabinet. If you can prepare the more complex dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen, you won't have to rely on the rental kitchen as much. And the payoffs of this make-ahead approach kick in right as you walk through the door of your summer getaway.

These three recipes will get you started:

1. There’s nothing like a good cold pasta salad on a hot day! Our Calabrian and Sweet Tomato Fennel Italian Pasta Salad hits all the right notes for a summer feast. Filled not only with hearty pasta but also with meat and cheese. This pasta salad makes a satisfying dish that family and guests will enjoy down to the last noodle!
2. When it’s too hot to heat up the kitchen, you’ll be glad to have the makings for delicious cold sandwiches on hand. Whether you pack sliced deli meats or plan to use leftover chicken from another meal, a loaf of bread and some sliced cheese are all you need to build your own special cold sandwich. Bring along Bellisari’s spreads and sauces and what might have been a boring sandwich suddenly becomes a brilliant sandwich. Wraps are always a great way to go too. Instead of bread, bring flour tortillas to make your favorite sandwich in a wrap format.
3. Finally, don’t make your guests wait very long for there to be food! Just 20 quick minutes in the oven, and you can put out these yummy buffalo chicken bites to hold people over until the main dishes are ready to go. With only 4 ingredients and our shelf-ready phyllo shells, these bite-sized appetizers are perfect for lake house entertaining!

We know that summer will fly by in a flash, so with a little planning ahead of time and the gourmet convenience of Bellisari’s Spreads and Sauces, we’ll help you make every summer minute count. Happy Summer from all of us at Bellisari’s!