The first official day of Autumn fallen at our feet and the romance of Summer is fleeting.
Though I absolutely adore Fall, there is something sad about letting go of Summer. So how to go about relishing the last drops of Summer?
Here are some ideas, including alot of alcohol and an easy yumm recipe for fish tacos with mango salsa:
- Drive around aimlessly in the car with your BFFs like you did when you were 16. Roll down the windows and crank up the music.
- Go on a local dive bar tour with your friends (and dress the trashy part.) Order cheap beer and tequila shots.
- Buy some sparklers and pack them in your bag when you go out. This was an old party trick of mine from clubbier days– when everyone is milling outside of the club trying to decide where to go next, break out the sparklers, light and pass around. I guarantee you will find the most fun of after party.
- Drive around on Saturday morning going to various Garage Sales.
- Go to the beach at night with a friend and a bottle of wine. This is how I spent most of Summer 2006 in the Gold Coast.
- Have a picnic of course! Locally, I recommend grabbing sushi at Osaka (400 S, Michigan Ave, Chicago–delicious veggie lunch combo for $4.50!) and picnicking at Grant Park (right across the street) or packing a huge picnic with all of your friends, tons of beer and hanging out in Wicker Park all day, inviting snaggle hipsters to join you.
- Go on a midnight bike ride
- Make some S’mores. If you don’t have a firepit no worries, stove s’mores are delicious and also a fun party idea… Carmen and I lured many people to come after-party with us using this yummy trick . “Noooo come to our house we’ll make s’mores and drink PBR!”
- Make a summer playlist (first on mine would be Banannarama- Cruel Summer)
- Sparksmosas (TM): Sparks and Champagne, a deadly yet fun poison. Only for the pros as a rule, try it if you dare.
- Wear a head scarf. Not sure exactly why this feels summery to me. I’m intrigued by experimenting with wearing mine Russian old lady style…which isn’t the most summeresque but whatevs.
- Go to a drive-inn movie: Locals: I recommend the Cascade Drive Inn at 1100 E. North Ave, West Chicago, IL.
- Visit a botanical garden: Chicago Botanical Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL
- Wear hot pink lipstick: doesn’t it just seem like a more of a Summer look? I say do up the color splash and wear it with bright yellow or purple eyeshadow.
- Go swing on some swings. Bring a friend or just your ipod. It can mind blowingly relaxing.
Lastly, for a final goodbye hostess an RIP Summer Fiesta. And to start you on ideas I give you my recipes for summery fish tacos, chunky guacamole and sangria:
Chunky Guacamole (serves quite a bit)
4 avocados , chopped
4 tomatoes, chopped
1 red onion, diced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
8 oz mild giardinara (or to taste)
8 oz hot giardinara (or to taste)
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste
Directions: Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa (Makes about 4 servings)
Salsa:
1 cup chopped peeled mango
1/4 C chopped peeled cucumber
(add 1/4 c avocado for a more hearty taco)
1/4 c red pepper
1/4 c chopped green onions
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp minced jalapeno pepper
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp xtra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp salt
Fish:
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp ground cumin seed
2 cloves minced garlic
4 (6 oz tilapia or halibut fillets)
1/4 tsp salt
cooking spray
remaining ingredients:
4 10 inch flour tortillas
1 C shredded red cabbage
1/4 C sour cream
lime wedges
Directions: 1. To prepare salsa, combine mango and rest of salsa ingredients in a small bowl, cover and chill for at least one hour.
2. To prepare fish, combine 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp olive oil, cumin and garlic in a large ziplock bag. Add fish to bag; Marinate 15 mins, turning once. Heat grill while fish is marinating. Remove fish from bag. Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt. Place fish on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill four minutes on ea side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Flake fish into large chunks.
3. To prepare tacos, place tortillas on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 10 seconds. Divide fish and cabbage evenly over one half of each tortilla; top each tortilla with salsa and 1 tbsp sour cream. Fold tortillas in half. Serve with lime wedges.
Sangria (Beware of eating the alcohol drenched fruit!)
2 bottles dry red wine
1 cup orange liqour such as Cointreau
1 orange sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 cup sliced peaches (canned is ok)
Soda water or club water (optional)
Directions: Mix together the first five ingredients. Add soda water to taste if desired. Serve in pitcher.
R I P SUMMER 08
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