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Lobster Salad Topped Crostini with Lemon Aioli

Lobster Salad Topped Crostini with Lemon Aioli

Lobster Salad Topped Crostini with Lemon Aioli are one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this appetizer for several reasons. First of all, I can make this dish in less than half an hour. That means, that I can whip this dish up very …

Summer Vegetable Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Summer Vegetable Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Summer Vegetable Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce are one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I love that this is a meatless recipe. We just came back from a vacation, where we didn’t eat nearly …

Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions

Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions

Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions are one of our favorite summer meals. I love these sandwiches for several reasons. First of all, I often make these gyros ahead of time and serve them cold. In fact, the Pickled Onions and the Cucumber Yogurt Spread taste even better after I chill them for a few hours. Secondly, I like that I can cook this whole meal in less than one hour. And, lastly, I love all the fresh summer flavor in these gyros.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Grill Pan- I like to use a grill pan to cook my chicken. But, you could also use a cast iron skillet. Or, any large skillet would be fine, too.
  • A Meat Pounder- You’ll need this to pound your chicken breasts nice and thin. This will help them cook evenly.
  • A Grater- Use this to shred your cucumbers.

The Ingredients Needed for Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions

  • Chicken- I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
  • Dried Spices- For added flavor, I season my chicken with garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika, cumin powder, black pepper, and kosher salt.
  • Dill- Fresh dill adds great flavor to the chicken.
  • Lemon Juice- I use lemon juice to pickle the red onions and to season the chicken.
  • Cucumbers- English cucumbers, that come wrapped in plastic, are best for the Cucumber Yogurt Spread.
  • Yogurt- Use plain, whole milk Greek yogurt. I like the Fage brand.
  • Red Wine Vinegar- This adds lots of flavor to the Cucumber Yogurt Spread.
  • Tomatoes- I used cherry tomatoes, but you could also use chopped plum tomatoes.
  • Red Onions- You could also use yellow or Spanish onions.
  • Green Beans- I added a cup of steamed green beans to my onions. But, these are optional, although tasty.

How I Made my Gyros

  • First, I made the Pickled Red Onions. Doing this first allows the lemon juice to pickle the onions.
  • Next, I made the Cucumber Yogurt Spread. It’s important to really wring out the cucumbers to get all the liquid out.
  • Then, I grilled the chicken. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked in the middle.
  • Finally, I toasted my pitas and stuffed them with the chicken, the spread, the Pickled Red Onions, and the tomatoes.

If you are a gyro fan, you need to try these Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions.

Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions
Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions
Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions

Chicken Gyros with Pickled Onions

Pita bread filled with chicken seasoned with lemon and garlic, cucumber yogurt spread, pickled onions, and tomatoes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp. each cumin powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • juice and zest of one lemon
  • 2 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 4 pita pockets

For the Cucumber Yogurt Spread:

  • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 cup peeled English cucumber, shredded
  • 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

For the Pickled Red Onions:

  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 cup red onion slices, halved

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the Pickled Red Onions: Mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl. You can also add a cup of steamed green beans, as I did when I took the picture.
  • Next, prepare the Cucumber Yogurt Spread: Place the cucumber in a clean dish towel and squeeze out all the liquid. Place the cucumber in a bowl along with all the other ingredients and stir them together.
  • Next, prepare the chicken: Mix together all the spices. Cut the breasts in half, and then pound them with a meat pounder until they're a quarter of an inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with the spices. Heat and oil a grill pan on high heat, and cook the chicken on both sides until it's cooked through, for about 7 minutes. Cut the chicken into thin slices. Sprinkle with the lemon juice, dill and lemon zest.
  • Heat the pitas up in the toaster, or oven, if you wish.
  • Fill each pita pocket with some chicken, some pickled onions, some tomatoes and some Cucumber Yogurt Spread.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal
Keyword Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Fruity Babka French Toast with Strawberry Syrup

Fruity Babka French Toast with Strawberry Syrup

Fruity Babka French Toast with Strawberry Syrup is one of our favorite summer breakfasts. I love this recipe for several reasons. First of all, this French Toast really showcases our beautiful summer fruit. Secondly, this recipe is great for using leftover bread. In fact, I …

Peachy Barbecue Chicken Wings

Peachy Barbecue Chicken Wings

Peachy Barbecue Chicken Wings are one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love these wings for several reasons. First, of all, I love that this recipe uses the juicy and delicious summer peaches. Secondly, I really like that these wings bake in the oven, and …

Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini

Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini

Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini is a warm and gooey appetizer. I love this dip for several reasons. First of all, it only takes minutes to prepare. Secondly, it reheats very well. Thirdly, it uses ingredients I always have in the house. And, lastly, the warm cheese has an incredibly delicious taste and texture.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Small Baking Dish- I used a square 8×8 ceramic baking dish. But, any smallish baking dish will be fine.
  • A Baking Dish- This is for baking the crostini.

The Ingredients Needed for Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini

  • Cream Cheese- Be sure and use full fat, brick cream cheese. Soften it by microwaving it for about half a minute.
  • Basil- Fresh basil adds so much great flavor to this dip.
  • Garlic- The fresh garlic also adds great spicy flavor.
  • Boursin Cheese- If you don’t have Boursin cheese, just use extra cream cheese.
  • Mozzarella Cheese- Be sure and use whole milk mozzarella for the best flavor.
  • Fresh Mozzarella- This helps adds that gooey, melty texture to the dip.
  • Tomatoes- Use grape or cherry tomatoes. You could even use chopped plum tomatoes.
  • Red Pepper Flakes- Omit this if you don’t like spicy food.
  • Bread- I like to use a French baguette. I like to keep baguettes in my freezer, so I always have them.

How I Made my Dip and Crostini

  • First, I stirred together all the dip ingredients and baked them. This really couldn’t be any easier.
  • Next, I baked the crostini. Of course, you don’t want to burn these.
  • Later, I reheated the dip so we could eat some more of it. I just reheated it at 350 degrees. I rebaked the dip for ten minutes, and the bread for three minutes.

If you love warm cheese, you need to try this heavenly Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini.

Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini
Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini
Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini

Cheesy Tomato and Basil Dip with Crostini

A warm dip full of mozzarella, cream cheese, Boursin cheese, tomatoes, and basil. With toasted crostini bread slices to dip into the warm cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • small 8×8 baking dish

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 5 ounces Boursin cheese
  • 1 clove grated garlic
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1½ cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • ⅛ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

For the Crostini:

  • 1 loaf French Baguette, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • For the Crostini: Spread the bread slices out on a baking sheet and drizzle them with the oil.
  • For the Dip: Mix together the cream cheese, Boursin cheese, garlic, shredded mozzarella, and one cup of the cherry tomatoes. Spread this mixture into a 8×8 ceramic baking dish. Top this mixture with the sliced fresh mozzarella cheese. Bake the dip for 15 minutes, and the crostini for seven minutes.
  • When the dip comes out, top it with the red pepper flakes, the rest of the cherry tomatoes, and the basil.
  • Serve warm. To reheat: Heat in a 350 degree oven for ten minutes.
Keyword appetizers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Blueberry Lemon Baked Donuts with Lemon Glaze

Blueberry Lemon Baked Donuts with Lemon Glaze

Blueberry Lemon Baked Donuts with Lemon Glaze are one of our favorite summer donut recipes. I love these donuts for several reasons. First of all, I like that these donuts are full of fresh summer blueberries. Secondly, I love that these donuts use ingredients that …

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings

Pimento Cheese Burgers Topped with Onion Rings are one of our favorite burgers. I start these burgers by mixing up the delicious pimento cheese. My pimento cheese is a mixture of extra sharp cheddar cheese, jarred pimentos, mayonnaise, garlic, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. …

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I love this appetizer for several reasons. First of all, it has all of the great flavor of Mexican Street Corn, with none of the mess and fuss. Secondly, this dip is inexpensive to make. Besides the corn, I already had all the ingredients in my fridge and pantry. And, lastly, I love that this dip can be prepared ahead of time and baked off whenever you need it.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Baking Dish- I used a 9×7 ceramic baking dish for baking this dip.
  • A Mixing Bowl- I used a mixing bowl to stir together all the dip ingredients.

The Ingredients Needed for Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

  • Corn on the Cob- I always try to buy my corn at the corn farm stand. But, today I used supermarket corn, and the dip was still great.
  • A Jalapeno Pepper- If that’s too spicy for you, just leave this out.
  • Garlic- Just omit this if you hate garlic.
  • Cream Cheese- Use full fat cream cheese. This time I used the Whole Foods brand.
  • Sour Cream- Please use full fat sour cream. Breakstone sour cream is my favorite.
  • Mayonnaise- I always use Hellman’s mayonnaise.
  • Lime Juice- Be sure and use freshly squeezed lime juice.
  • Cotija Cheese- You can use cotija cheese or queso fresco.

How I Made my Dip

  • First, I steamed the corn in the microwave.
  • Next, I cut off all the corn kernals.
  • Then, I mixed the corn with the mayonnaise, cheeses, scallions, jalapeno, garlic, and chili powder.
  • Next, I baked the dip for twenty minutes.
  • Finally, I served the dip with tortilla chips, cherry tomatoes, and sliced peppers.

If you like Mexican Street Corn, you need to try this cheesy and yummy Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips.

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips
Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips
Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

Mexican Street Corn Dip with Chips

A creamy, cheesy dip with all the flavors, but none of the fuss, of Mexican Street corn.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ears corn on the cob, shucked
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 scallion, minced
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 4 ounces brick cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 cup grated Cotija cheese or crumbled queso fresco
  • 2 tbsp. each sliced jalapeno, diced red pepper, cilantro leaves
  • tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place the corn on a plate, cover with a paper towel, and microwave for ten minutes or until the corn is tender. Remove the kernels from the corn and put it in a large bowl.
  • To the corn, add the minced jalapeno, garlic, scallion, sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the cotija cheese, cream cheese, lime juice, and chili powder. Sprinkle the rest of the cotija cheese over the top. Stir until well combined.
  • Put the dip into a small casserole dish and bake for twenty minutes. Garnish the baked dip with the sliced jalapeno, minced red pepper, and cilantro leaves.
  • Serve hot with tortilla chips. This can be reheated at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Keyword appetizers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka

Strawberry Cinnamon Pecan Babka is one of my favorite summer breads. I love this bread for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this bread without any fancy equipment. Recently, I made this in a vacation house, using just a bowl …