Summer Flavors Bucket List {Treats Not To Miss Before Summer Ends}

Corn on the Cob Image via Delish

Summer....we wait for you all year long for so many reasons including enjoying those familiar summer treats that were equally enjoyed in childhood as they are in adulthood! Here are five of our favorite summer indulgences not to be skipped. What are yours?

1.) Corn on the cob! Who can get through summer without savoring some corn on the cob! Since we are in Illinois, we can enjoy wonderful, freshly picked ears! Want to change it up? Delish has some unique combinations to try out including wrapping in bacon!

2.) Watermelon! A hot summer day just begs for a cool wedge of watermelon! Sitting at the edge of a dock, feet dangling in water, savoring a slice of watermelon--divine! Looking for a switch-up? How about grilling watermelon like Serious Eats did!

3.) Tomatoes! It took us awhile to experience real summer weather. Now that it is here, those tomatoes in the garden should be ripening up! Great on sandwiches and burgers and in salads too! Need inspiration? Southern Living has quite the collection of recipes including Fried Green Tomatoes, of course!

4.) Grilled Food! Doesn't matter if it is barbecue chicken, burgers or portabella mushrooms--grilling in the summer is a must! Looking for an interesting grilled combo? Delish has some interesting ideas including Grilled Chicken Mac and Cheese Pizza!

5.) Ice Cream! Enough said........

We hope that you are having an amazing summer!

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Cast Iron Cooking!!! Great for Winter!!!

A quick peek outside and you will see that we are in the frozen throes of winter! With some days of being stuck inside inevitably ahead, winter can be a great time to savor some wholesome flavors from cast iron cooking. Cast iron cooking has been used for centuries, so there is nothing that really exemplifies great home cooked meals better!

New to cast iron cooking? Here are 5 reasons why you should start:

• Cast iron pieces are exceedingly versatile. You can literally cook 100s of dishes using a cast iron skillet from pan roasted chicken to pretzel bread to s'mores to quesadillas and much more!
• When a cast iron pan is properly seasoned and cared for, it remains nonstick without all of those harmful chemicals that go into nonstick cookware.
• Cast iron cookware distributes heat evenly for well rounded flavors!
• Heat sources are no problem! Cast iron can be used over any heat source. Plus, cast iron can take the heat that other cookware can't.
• Cooking with cast iron can give you an iron boost! While cooking with cast iron, you can increase the iron levels in foods. Great for immunity and energy!

 There are so many amazing cast iron recipes out there! Here are a few of our favorites!

Black Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza by Menu Musings

Pull Apart Pretzel Skillet and Beer Cheese  by Host the Toast

Steakhouse Roasted Mushrooms by A Food Centric Life

Hot Wings from Half Baked Harvest

Zucchini Basil and Kale Frittata from The Roasted Root

Indoor S'mores by Dessert for Two

How can you resist these recipes? Some really great ones and perfect for winter cooking! Need some cast iron? Don't fret, we have a wonderful collection of cast iron made here in the U.S.A!

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For more on cast iron:

5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware via the Kitchn
13 Reasons to Own a Cast Iron Skillet via One Good Thing