Betty 10: Red Hot Summer Trends

Red Hot Summer Trends 2011

What makes a trend red hot? When it's exciting, it's fresh, and making its mark from coast to coast. Our food experts have selected the trends that will be red hot this summer, and created great recipes to bring each one to life. While the trends are each very different, they all have one thing in common – they’re irresistible! See all recipes

Originally inspired by South Pacific culture, the fun, over-the-top Tiki trend is back in a big way! Tiki drinks like Mai Tais, concocted with rum, are best known for fruity flavors and whimsical garnishes. We’re seeing this trend’s influence in everything from food to drink to home décor to fashion.

Mai Tai Tiki Pops

These rum-spiked frozen treats take the flavors of a well-known Tiki cocktail, the Mai Tai, and turn it into a fruity (and boozy) ice pop.

Prep: 20 mins Total: 11 hour 20 mins Servings: 12 servings

Mai Tai Tiki Pops – Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Summer Trends

Cupcakes are still in the spotlight. Dessert lovers everywhere are inventing new and interesting twists on this classic confection – even looking to retro refrigerator, or “icebox,” desserts for inspiration!

Lemon-Ginger Icebox Cookie Cupcakes

These delicious “cupcakes” are actually made with cookies. When stacked between layers of whipped cream and then chilled, the cookies become cake-like. Fresh fruit adds a festive and colorful touch.

Prep: 1 hour 10 mins Total: 12 hour 40 mins Servings: 16 cupcakes

Lemon-Ginger Icebox Cookie Cupcakes – Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Summer Trends

Big, bold flavors are all the rage! Look around and you’ll notice lots of classic foods being updated with new flavor combinations and cooking techniques. Our favorite? Do-it-yourself dishes with trendy ethnic spices. Yum!

Fresh Sriracha Refrigerator Pickles

Add a new twist to classic refrigerator pickles with a hot, Thai-inspired sauce. It’s perfect for spicing up your garden bounty. Best of all, this “can do” project requires no special canning equipment!

Prep: 20 mins Total: 1 hour 20 mins Servings: 8 servings

It may seem like meat lovers are having all the fun with extreme burgers and “dude food.” But we’re noticing that’s not the case. Vegetarian (and flexitarian) eating is more popular than ever! Right now it’s all about meatless options filled with flavor.

MONSTER Veggie Burger

Why should meat lovers have all the fun? This larger-than-life veggie burger is loaded with fresh vegetables and tasty chickpeas, moving veggies from the side to the center of the plate.

Prep: 30 mins Total: 30 mins Servings: 4 servings

Frozen ice cream novelties are the ultimate summer treats.  With their fun colors and playful appearance, neither kids nor adults can resist their frosty temptation. We’re loving the renewed interest in homemade ice cream and frozen pops. Scoop it up while you can!

Fruity Fro-Yo Fun Bars

Don’t want to wait for the ice cream truck? Make these fun frozen yogurt treats yourself!  This novelty-inspired dessert has only four ingredients. And with so few steps, they’re perfect for making with kids!

Prep: 15 mins Total: 8 hours 15 mins Servings: 8 servings

Fruity Fro-Yo Fun Bars – Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Summer Trends

In the warm summer months everyone loves to gather around the grill. And with grillmasters everywhere taking lessons from the “tableside” preparation trend, there’s no better place to be. This summer it’s all about using the grill to bring excitement and flavor to unexpected dishes.

Grillside Guacamole

This summery guacamole takes the “tableside” trend to a whole new place – the grill!  Fresh avocados, sweet onions and other tasty veggies take on flavor from grilling, while a sprinkling of Mexican Cotija cheese gives this dish an extra delicious twist.

Prep: 25 mins Total: 35 mins Servings: 16 servings

Grillside Guacamole - Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Summer Trends

Our favorite foods from childhood always inspire special memories, and none more so than summer favorites like ice cream treats, watermelon and snow cones. One of our favorite trends right now is adding grown-up twists to childhood favorites to make them even better than we remember!

Beer Snow Cones

These grown-up snow cones are made from granita-style beer “snow” and a drizzle of fruity simple syrup. This make-ahead treat will be a hit at your next party, guaranteed!

Prep: 25 mins Total: 4 hours Servings: 14 servings

We’re not the only ones feeling love for pie. In fact, 2011 has been declared the “Year of the Pie.”  We are seeing (and eating) creative takes on pies everywhere. From sweet to savory, pies are back in a big way. Dig in!

Mini S’mores Hand Pies

These mini hand pies take everything we love about s’mores – crunchy graham crackers, melty chocolate, ooey-gooey marshmallows – and mix them together in a handheld pie pocket that delivers a perfect taste of summer..

Prep: 35 mins Total: 45 mins Servings: 10 servings

Summer gardens are back! And we couldn’t be more excited about it. More people than ever are turning to their backyard gardens and local farmer’s markets for fresh, organic ingredients. They’re the perfect way to take summer veggie dishes to grand new heights.

Green Garden Fries

Fast food meets the backyard! These crispy green “fries” are made from fresh garden veggies.  Oven fried and served with a lemony Greek yogurt dipping sauce, they are the summer’s perfect side dish.

Prep: 20 mins Total: 40 mins Servings: 6 servings

Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food – from old favorites like PB&J and grilled cheese to new obsessions like Korean tacos. It’s the ever-changing flavors and fun new forms that keep this mealtime favorite fresh.  We’re seeing this trend everywhere from food trucks to restaurants devoted to a singular type of sandwich, and we think it’s great!

Greek Grilled Cheese Tacos

This Mediterranean-inspired dish reinvents the familiar grilled cheese sandwich in taco form.  Grilled Greek halloumi cheese, fresh veggies and herbs are stuffed in a flour tortilla for a portable and fun new take on the regular ol’ sandwich.

Prep: 30 mins Total: 30 mins Servings: 8 servings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To find more of the Betty 10: Red Hot Summer Trends, like Monster Veggie Burgers, Green Garden Fries, Sriracha Inspired Refrigerator Pickles, Greek Grilled Cheese Tacos, and Mini S’mores Hand pies, visit www.bettycrocker.com/redhot, and for great DIY ideas by Erica Domesek visit www.bettycrocker.com/redhotDIY.

• Betty 10: Red Hot Summer Trends: http://bit.ly/betty10
• Erica Domesek DIY Ideas: http://bit.ly/diyideas
• Mai Tai Tiki Pops: http://bit.ly/bettymaitai
• Lemon-Ginger Icebox Cookie Cupcakes: http://bit.ly/bettylemon
• Fruity Fro-Yo Fun Bars: http://bit.ly/bettyfroyo
• Grillside Guacamole: http://bit.ly/bettyguac
• Beer Snow Cones: http://bit.ly/bettycones

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I received the details from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.