Family Summer Beach Party Menu: Wraps, Watermelon and Cookies

When I think of Beach Party foods, I think of convenience. The food needs to be easy to package, easy to handle, and especially easy to eat. Since the weather is sunny and hot, I also prefer my beach foods to be chilled to provide a nice cooling reprieve from the heat. Lastly, my offerings need to be light and healthy. The food can't be so heavy that all anyone wants to do it sit. This beach party menu includes make-ahead grilled chicken wraps with avocado,

Grilled Chicken Wraps With Avocado

These are best made ahead. You can even cook the chicken the day before so it has time to cool. Homemade salsa recipe follows wrap recipe.

4 Cloves of garlic, chopped

1 Jalapeño pepper, chopped

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Avocado

1 Lime

Flour tortillas

Romaine Lettuce leaves

Monterey Jack Cheese Slices

Homemade salsa

Mix garlic, jalapeño, salt and pepper, then add enough olive oil to make a paste. Slather each chicken breast with paste and place inside a zip loc bag. Let marinade for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator. Grill until juices run clear. Slice into thin strips.

Slice the avocado and toss with the juice of half the lime. This will prevent the avocado from browning.

Start with a flour tortilla and top with a romaine leaf, 1-2 slices of Monterey Jack cheese, 2-3 slices of chicken strips, 1-2 slices of avocado, and 1 Tbsp of salsa. Fold up both ends of the shell and then fold in the sides. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil. You can also place in a zip loc bag to prevent any water from leaking in from the ice in the cooler.

Homemade salsa

2 Medium tomatoes, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, finely minced
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 lemon, juiced

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

Mix all ingredients together and allow to sit for at least 1 hour.

Watermelon Chunks With Mint

This is the simplest of sides. Simply roughly cut a ripe watermelon into cubes. Sprinkle watermelon pieces with some salt and add chopped fresh mint. Store in zip loc bags or plastic bowls with a lid. This side is so refreshing and delicious.

Cherry Tomatoes And Sweet Onions In Dressing

This is also a very easy, yet cold and refreshing side perfect for hot summer days.

2 pints of cherry tomatoes

1 sweet onion, Vidalia or Florida sweet works great, chopped into 1 inch pieces

1 Cup of your favorite Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients together and allow to sit and marinade. Store in plastic bowls with lids.

Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 Cup of unsalted butter, room temperature

¾ Cup of brown sugar

¾ Cup of white sugar

¼ tsp of salt

1 ½ tsp of Vanilla

2 Eggs

2 ½ Cups Flour

¾ tsp Baking Soda

2 Cups Chocolate Chunks

1 Cups chopped Walnuts

Beat butter, sugars, and salt for about 5 minutes, or until light and airy. Add Vanilla and Eggs. Mix in Flour and Baking Soda until well blended, but don't mix too much or cookies will be tough. Add Chocolate and Walnuts and hand mix. Drop by tablespoon onto un-greased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before placing in bag or bowl. Enjoy!

Limeade With Pomegranate Juice

¼ Cup of fresh squeezed lime juice

1 Tbsp of Lime zest

1 ½ Cups of sugar

8 Cups of water

1 Cup of Pomegranate juice, POM works well

Ice

Add water and sugar to a large pitcher. Mix well. Add lime juice and pomegranate juice. Mix well. Add lime zest and mix. Last, add ice and cover well.

All of these recipes are easy to serve and eat at the beach. You can even individually portion the sides to make it even easier. Pack everything in a cooler, be sure not to forget your utensils, and enjoy your beach party!