Adult Margarita Watermelon Wedges

Happy summer. It's hot and getting hotter. We're always looking for ways to stay cool and chill during the summer. This recipe is specifically for the adults at your next pool party or cookout. {Sorry, kiddos.} Combining the refreshing aspect of ice cold watermelon with the components of a margarita couldn't be easier. You do most of the prep ahead of time. And, you can bet that everyone will hover around when you bring out a tray of these babies.

To make these, you'll be slicing up half of a watermelon into small wedges and inserting popsicle sticks {or something similar} into the rind ends. Follow those easy steps up by drizzling on some tequila, triple sec and freshly-squeezed lime juice. Store in the fridge until you're ready to serve. {I even like to pop the tray of wedges into the freezer for about thirty minutes prior to service so that the wedges are super duper cold.} Right before serving, garnish the fruit with the salt/sugar/lime zest combo. That's it.

Yields about 20 wedges

Asian Roasted Broccoli and Carrots

I've struggled posting new recipes in recent weeks. We're in that end-of-the-school-year frenzy and things have been CRAZY. Band concerts. Conferences. Sports banquets. Field trips. Graduation. Open houses. Field days. Two kiddos have birthdays within two weeks in our house this time of year. And, we just added a new driver in the house - our son turned the big ONE-SIX. {Plus, it's softball season, so my behind is parked in a lawn chair at a ball field quite often these days.} I'm happy for things to be winding down. {Tomorrow is the last day of school. Hallejulah.} I always have more time in the summer to cook and blog. So, look for me in your inbox and newsfeeds a little more often.

For this new post, it's all about roasted veggies - broccoli and carrots to be specific. Charred, roasted broccoli has been like, my love language lately. Roasting vegetables is a thing of magic. And, it's so dang easy.

Truth be told, the Asian glaze really steals the show here. Like, I cannot wait to slather this stuff on grilled chicken and shrimp this summer. The ingredient list for the glaze consists of stuff that many cooks probably keep on hand and it takes like, 2 minutes to whip up.

I was inspired by a recipe from a few years back posted on Damn Delicious. It's genius and I'm so glad that I finally decided to try it out after eye-balling it for quite some time.

NOTE:  I like my roasted broccoli pretty charred on the exterior and still a little crisp inside. If you prefer yours a little more tender on the interior and less charred on the exterior, I recommend cutting the pieces a little smaller than shown here and giving the carrots about a five minute head start in the oven before adding the broccoli.

Yields 2 - 4 servings.