Adult swim. If you grew up with any sort of access to a community pool, you likely know what we’re talking about. That eminently frustrating period of time — what was it? 15, 20 minutes? (it felt like forever) — when anyone under the age of 21 was barred from those shimmering chlorine waters while the adults were free to drift and paddle around, splash-free.

 

It seemed so ridiculous back then, but now that we’re older, we get it.

 

Yep, the bulk of summer may be all about being a kid again (the pools, the roller coasters, the trips to the beach), but what we’re after here is an adult swim of sorts — just one summer evening to essentially drift and sip and savor exactly the kind of food your kids could care less about.

 

So pack the rug rats off to the grandparents for the night, or send them out for sleepovers. Maybe if you’re lucky, they’re already away at camp. Then whip up some of these easy summer-perfect recipes we culled from our favorite food blogs. One summer night, just the two of you, out on the deck or in the back yard, happily drifting along …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, it wouldn’t be an adult-only night without some summery libations. A nice chilled bottle of white wine is always an option — but hey, this is a once-in-a-summer evening, so go for something special! We’re crazy for the lime-i-licious Lost in Laos cocktail from Interesting Drinks for the Interesting Drinker.

 

 

 

 

Gin liable to give you a headache, though? Well, there’s always these to-die-for rum-based Strawberry Faujitos from A Communal Table.

 

 

 

 

As you both have your feet propped up, enjoying your drinks, what you want are some things to nibble on as the sun is going down. Again, A Communal Table steps in with a delicious classic Olive Tapenade (easy, too — you just put everything in the food processor and voila!).

 

 

 

 

We also could probably spend a good couple hours noshing on Proud Italian Cook’s Tuscan White Bean Dip — again, another summer-friendly food-processor-only recipe.

 

 

 

 

If your kids are like ours, about the only tomato they like is in the form of ketchup on the end of a French fry. But they’re gone for the night, right? So you should indulge in these Citrus Tomatoes from 400 Calories or Less.

 

 

 

 

By now you’re on your second (or third) Strawberry Faujito, the sun’s dropped below the horizon, and the two of you have discovered that, yes, you both still can actually have a conversation that’s not about the kids. Let’s not spoil the mood by having to go inside and turn on the oven for dinner. No, try these Triple Tuscan Tomato Sandwiches from Better Recipes instead.

 

 

 

 

Except maybe your better half doesn’t think sandwiches suffice for dinner. Ok, that’s fine. What about this Grilled Salmon with Walnut-Arugula Pesto from The Bitten Word instead? (You guessed it: that pesto gets whipped up in the food processor — this night is about relaxing after all.)

 

 

 

 

And for dessert? Again, we want easy-breezy summer romance here; not a sort of wintery, hours-to-make Valentine’s Day chocolate torte. And since you’ve already got the grill hot for the salmon, might we suggest these summery Grilled Peaches with Ricotta and Pistachios from The Curvy Carrot?

 

 

 

 

There’s also something sweet (both literally and romantically) about 400 Calories or Less’s Strawberry Ice “Cream.” (The “cream” is in quotes because there’s actually no cream, or even ice cream maker, involved — brilliant!)

 

 

 

Now, what you do after the dessert course is entirely up to you.

 

 

 

Keep your cool — explore all our cool summer recipes!

 

 

Categories: Dinner Tonight | Tags: Cool Summer, Drinks, Grilled Fish, Summer, Summer Dinners
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