Who doesn't love a good summer get together?!
Thinking up unique food ideas, especially for a crowd can be a daunting task. I'm not much of a cook, but I have a secret weapon that can give a store bought food item that wow factor!
Drumroll.......essential oils! Yep, did you know you can use them to uplevel your summer recipes and create a dish with next level flavor fairly simply? I have used them to wow my guests who know I don't cook. They wonder how I can still serve them up something so delicious.
*Make sure you are using essential oils labeled for internal consumption! I like Young Living's Vitality™ Line. You can choose from over 20 different essential oils all specifically labeled for consumption! You can check them out HERE.*
To start the party, drinks are up. This is my absolute favorite summertime drink....a
watermelon slushy. I buy the watermelon in cut up chunks ready to go. Then you simply add it to a blender with the other ingredients. If you want to make it alcoholic...vodka is a great addition :)
Watermelon Lime Slushy
2 cups watermelon
1 cup coconut water
1 cup ice
2 drops Lime essential oil
Then we need some snacks...grilled fruit kabobs are easy and simple and get me rave reviews! I buy a fruit bowl with the fruit already sliced..in some stores you can find them on a skewer already as well. Then simply grill each side to carmelize the sugar and dip in the yogurt dip.. By the way, if that's too complicated for ya-sometimes it is for me too-lol. I simply purchase the fruit bowl and serve with the boosted yogurt dip-no grilling is required!
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Fruit Slices (Pineapple Slices, Apple Slices, and Cantaloupe chunks are usually found readily in stores)
Bamboo Grill Skewers
Vanilla Yogurt
Arrange slices and chunks, alternating fruit, on a skewer. Then grill 1-2 min each side. Add the container of yogurt to a serving bowl and mix in the essential oil for dipping the fruit in.
I have also simply added 5 drops each of Lemon, Lime, and Orange essential oil to a tablespoon of honey and drizzled over a big store-bought bowl of fruit!
Popcorn makes another great snack. For a 'Margarita Style' popcorn...
Melt 1/4 cup coconut oil, add 6 drops Lime essential oil, and mix well. Then Drizzle over the popped popcorn and sprinkle with salt to taste.
Chips and salsa is an old standby...make them stand out by....
Adding 3 drops of Lime essential oil, 1 drop of Black Pepper essential oil, and 1 drop of Cilantro essential oil to a container of Pico De Gallo.
Being mostly vegetarian, main courses from me are usually a salad. I simply buy pre-made bags of salad and then wow everyone with a yummy dressing. I have simply added a few drops of an essential oil to a purchased salad dressing as well. Look at your ingredients in the salad dressing you buy.....for example, if Basil is on the label try adding a drop of Basil essential oil. If it's a citrus dressing, jazz it up with a drop or 2 of a citrus essential oil. Dill is another great ingredient to look for that you can boost by adding a drop of Dill essential oil. Ginger essential oil is another great one to use that boosts flavor in asian style dressings.
Or making this salad dressing is pretty easy! It's my stand by that I use for myself most of the time.
Citrus Vinaigrette
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1 TBS White Wine Vinegar
3 drops Lime essential oil
3 drops Orange essential oil
3 drops Lemon essential oil
1 drop Black Pepper essential oil
1 TBS honey
2 TBS minced garlic
Mix all ingredients together in a recycled jar and give it a good shake each time you use.
I have also used this to marinade portobello mushrooms and then throw them on the grill for a main course.
I like to make cupcakes for a summer dessert. Single serve and easy to grab. No silverware required, either! It's easy to whip up a store bought batter from a box and use pre made frosting. While the cup cakes are baking, I can whip up the other food items. I like to buy Vanilla, then I add about 10 drops of essential oil to the batter. I usually do Orange, Lemon, or Lime essential oil. I then add 3-5 drops of the same essential oil I used in the batter to the frosting. If you are doing chocolate, use Peppermint...yumm! Orange works well too, tho!
Cooking flavorful dishes can be as easy as adding essential oils to pre made items(..wink, wink)
For more tips in using essential oils with cooking and additional recipes, grab my PDF freebie 'Boost Your Flavor' HERE
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