Summer Sides

We've been grilling a lot lately and I've been on the hunt for some new and different ways to use our grill.  And now that summer is (maybe?  today notwithstanding) here, we've been wanting some meals that are more... "summery."    So I've been digging around and trying to find some new ideas to add to our usual weekly mix of meals.  It can be so easy for us to get stuck in a rut with our meals these days.  Sometimes the day gets so hectic that we just want to throw whatever is quick and easy onto the table and call it a night.   So if at all possible, I try to find at least one new main or side to try each week, just to keep us on our toes.   Here are two that we tried last night.  Taken from this month's issue of Real Simple.  As it turns out, they were both real simple.  Took less than 30 minutes to prep, plus the grilling time for the corn.  Not too shabby.

Marinated Zucchini & Onion Salad
Serves 4

In a colander, toss 4 thinly sliced medium zucchini or yellow squash with 1 teaspood kosher salt.  
Let sit until softened, about 30 minutes.
Rinse and pat dry.

In a medium bowl, toss with:
1/4 small red onion (thinly sliced)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper.  

Let sit at least 15 minutes (and up to 8 hours) before serving. 

Mexican Grilled Corn with Cilantro
Serves 4

Heat grill to medium.  
Shuck 2 ears of corn and cut each into 5-6 pieces.  
In a medium bowl, toss with 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper.  
Grill, uncovered, turning occasionally, until tender, 10-12 minutes.  
Return cooked corn to bowl and toss with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice. Serve with lime wedge. 

My Notes...

• Both were tastey and we'd make both again.  But not on the same night.  The tang of the white wine vinegar in the zucchini salad combined with the tang of the lime on the corn was too much.
• Be careful not to put too much lime on the corn.  I usually assume that if some lemond or lime is good in a recipe, more is better.  Not so with this one.