Warmer weather, longer days and smells of sizzling meat on the grill can only mean one thing — summer has officially arrived. As you gear up for the season of backyard barbeques and spontaneous weekend getaways, don’t let the cost of summer entertaining take a toll on your wallet. Consider stopping at ALDI, where you can find a variety of fresh produce and high quality cuts of grill-ready meat for up to 50 percent less* than traditional grocers, so you can spend less on your grocery bill and more on making summer memories last all year long.

Sizzle into summer with these tasty tips and techniques that will make cookouts, road trips and impromptu pool parties mouthwatering for less:

• Less Flipping, More Grilling: When grilling for that backyard barbeque, don’t make the mistake of constantly lifting the lid on your grill. Every time you lift the lid, you lose smoke, which will make your meat less flavorful!
• Make More Time for Fun: Keep recipes simple so you can join the party and avoid getting stuck in the kitchen. Sometimes all you need for big flavor is to infuse simple spices into your meals. Whip up a quick dry rub with common spices like cumin, chili powder, oregano and peppercorns, and use when grilling meat, fish and even veggies.
• Put a Fresh Twist on Comfort Foods: Add a twist to your barbeque staple foods to make your dish stand out. Stuff your burgers with jalapeño slices and cheddar cheese or top them off with unique flavors like pineapple, avocado or kiwi. It’s fun to mix and match different flavor combinations, and ALDI carries everything from organic grass fed beef to fresh pineapple.
• Keep It Cool in the Sun: Have homemade freezer pops in your freezer for impromptu pool parties and neighborhood slip and slides. Mix up this traditional summer treat by combining a classic fruit flavor with an exotic one. Coconut flakes, cilantro or honey will add a unique spin on a classic snack.
• Bring Adventure Home: Travel to a new city without going further than your local ALDI. Just switch up your go-to recipes with some regional flavors like Texas BBQ ribs or Chicago deep dish pizza. Follow the ALDI Summer Starts Here virtual road trip series for regional recipes, tips and tricks on the ALDI Simply Smarter Living Blog.

Hand-Held Snacks

Keep your road trip simple and pack finger food snacks that can easily be taken on the go. Quesadillas are quick to make for grab and go meals, and taste great with a combination of sweet and savory flavors.

• Experiment with fun flavors like ricotta cheese and strawberries; sweet potatoes and black beans; or blueberries and cream cheese.
• Make batches ahead of time and have on-hand for when the kids get hungry. Just heat and serve for a simple snack.
• Incorporate fresh spices and produce to keep variations fun and unique all summer long.

Looking for more inspiration? These easy-to-make recipes will help you get ready for summer. Visit www.aldi.us for more seasonal ideas.

*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.

Lemon Pesto Mason Jar Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Pesto:

• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup Little Salad Bar Flat Leaf Spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Priano Asiago Cheese Wedge
• 1/4 cup Carlini Pure Olive Oil
• 6 tablespoons Southern Grove Cashew Halves, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Stonemill Essentials Minced Garlic in Olive Oil
• 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
• Stonemill Essentials Iodized Salt, to taste
• Stonemill Essentials Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Salad:

• 1/4 cup SimplyNature Organic Diced Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Tuscan Garden Large Pitted Ripe Olives, chopped
• 4 ounces Happy Harvest Mushroom Stems & Pieces, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup Kirkwood Grilled Chicken Strips, diced
• 2 cups cooked Reggano Tri-Color Pasta
• 1/4 cup grated Priano Asiago Cheese Wedge

Preparation

1. For the Pesto: In a food possessor, combine parsley, spinach, 1/4 cup Asiago cheese, olive oil, cashews and garlic. Pulse until fully incorporated. Add lemon juice and zest, season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. To assemble: Pour pesto into the bottom of a 1-quart mason jar, add tomatoes, olives, mushrooms and chicken. Top with pasta, and remaining cheese.

Campfire Quesadilla

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Carlini Pure Olive Oil
• 1 zucchini, halved and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 7 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• Carlini Canola Cooking Spray
• 6 Pueblo Lindo Flour Tortillas
• 3 cups Happy Farms Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preparation

1. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add zucchini, mushrooms and onion. Cook until soft, stirring often. Drain any liquid.
2. Coat six squares of foil with cooking spray, lay one tortilla on each.
3. Place 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 vegetable mixture on one half of the tortilla; fold in half. Seal the foil around the quesadilla. Keep chilled for any camping trip!
4. To cook each quesadilla, place foil packet on the outside of the campfire or on grill grates. Cook for 3 minutes per side. Allow to cool slightly before opening and eating.

Watermelon Lime Freezer Pops

Ingredients

• 3 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded
• 3/4 cup Baker’s Corner Granulated Sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 drops green food coloring

Preparation

1. In a blender, puree watermelon and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.
2. Pour into freezer pop molds leaving a 1 1/2-inch space at the top.
3. Drop 3–4 blueberries and freezer pop stick into each mold; freeze for at least 3 hours.
4. In a blender, puree remaining sugar, lime juice, lime zest, cucumber, water and food coloring until smooth. Reserve in refrigerator.
5. When watermelon pops are thoroughly frozen, add lime mixture to the top of the mold. Return to freezer, freeze for at least 3 hours or until frozen.

Sponsored by ALDI