This post brought to you by Martin’s Food Markets. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Thinking Outside The Sandbox: Family.
Summer is a huge deal around here – there is no snow, ice, or anything else on the ground—just pure sunshine! Plus to kick off the summer we have the 4th of July. Since summer is that special, there are some ways you can celebrate the gloriousness of it. Check out some of these ways that you will catch us celebrating summer this year.
Celebrating The 4th Of July With The Sweet + Southern Burger
Pool Party
There is so much fun to be had in a pool this summer. Whether you go to a local pool or fill up a kiddy pool with water, it is the recipe for a good time. Water just makes people happy. It has a way of cooling you down and making you forget about the hot weather. If you want to truly ring in summer, a pool party only makes sense.
Movie Night
Every summer, I turn my backyard into a movie theater. It is one of the most fun ways to celebrate summer. The kids love picking out the movies and I love setting up the movie theater and preparing the snacks. Make sure you put this on your list for ways to celebrate summer.
Go to Local Festivals
Another way to celebrate summer is to attend all of the local festivals and fairs. There is not a summer that goes by that you won’t see my family attending at least a few of these fairs. Eating all of the yummy food and just having a great time is what summer is all about.
Grill Out
I’m not sure a night goes by that I’m not grilling on the grill. I wanted to change things up a bit this year and try out some new recipes. I shop at Martin’s Food Markets for all of our summer food needs. Be sure to visit Martin’s Savory Recipe Center. The recipes are easy, affordable, and all quality meals. One recipe that I made my family this week is called the Sweet ‘n’ Southern Burger. Wow, this is one recipe you’ll want to add to your list of foods to make this summer. Just like the title of the burger says, it is a little sweet, but also a whole lot of Southern. Prep time takes about 20 minutes and the cook time about 20 minutes. Just reading the ingredients made my mouth water. This is a recipe worth making this summer and it will definitely help you celebrate this awesome season. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to get the recipe. Here is a sneak peak of all of the deliciousness. 
Camp Out
This is one of my favorites during the summer months, camping out. Usually, to kick off summer, I have a little camp out in our backyard for the whole family. Do you know how much fun this is for the kids? They LOVE it. It’s something they look forward to every year as well. Whether you are having a camp out or decide to grill out, make sure you check out the yummy recipes from Martins Food Markets. I’d also love to hear how you celebrate summer with your family!
Sweet & Southern Burger recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small carrot, grated
- 1 small red onion, halved – dice half and grate half
- 1 lb ground chicken breast
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 1 large peach, chopped
- 1 Tbsp orange marmalade
- 2 tsp cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly grease a sheet pan with olive oil or cooking spray. 2. Add the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, hoisin sauce, ginger, grated carrot and onion to a large bowl. 
3. Mix well until fully combined. 4. Shape the burger mixture into 4 equal patties. Place on sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165. 
PREP TIP* Most burger patties, whether it is made with ground beef, chicken or turkey, tends to raise up in the middle during the cooking process. Usually the first instinct is to flatten it with a spatula, but this releases juices and can dry out your burgers. Instead, to ensure an even thickness on the finished burger, do the following: Shape the raw patty as normal, except make the middle slightly thinner. It will cook up even with the edges.
For the salsa:
1. Add the chopped peach, 1 tablespoon of the diced red onion, orange marmalade, ginger and vinegar to a small bowl. Mix. Makes about 1 cup. 
Serve burgers on a sesame seed bun topped with the salsa!
- 1 small carrot, grated
- 1 small red onion, halved – dice half and grate half
- 1 lb ground chicken breast
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 1 large peach, chopped
- 1 Tbsp orange marmalade
- 2 tsp cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly grease a sheet pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
- 2. Add the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, hoisin sauce, ginger, grated carrot and onion to a large bowl.
- 3. Mix well until fully combined.
- 4. Shape the burger mixture into 4 equal patties. Place on sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165.
- PREP TIP*
- Most burger patties, whether it is made with ground beef, chicken or turkey, tends to raise up in the middle during the cooking process. Usually the first instinct is to flatten it with a spatula, but this releases juices and can dry out your burgers.
- Instead, to ensure an even thickness on the finished burger, do the following: Shape the raw patty as normal, except make the middle slightly thinner. It will cook up even with the edges.
- 1. Add the chopped peach, 1 tablespoon of the diced red onion, orange marmalade, ginger and vinegar to a small bowl. Mix.
- Makes about 1 cup.
The post Celebrating Summer + The 4th Of July appeared first on TOTS Family DIY, Recipes, Autism, Kids.
