It’s been a bit of a cold summer in many parts of the Great Lakes Region, but here’s a couple summer recipes great for beating and/or enjoying the heat.

Wild Rice and Hominy Corn Salad

• 2 cups cooked and rinsed wild rice
• 1 cup cooked and cooled hominy corn
• chopped green beans or pea pods (any crisp vegetable like celery or even cooked kidney or black beans can also be used or added)
• Fresh vinaigrette dressing (see easy recipe below for best results or use a store-bought variety)
• Fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and/or raspberries
• Salt and pepper to taste
• (Optional) Spinnich, lettuce, or other fresh greens

This recipe is really easy & so tasty, not to mention quite healthy, especially if you use olive oil for the dressing.  All you have to do is mix the ingredients, except for the fresh greens that may be placed as a bed under the salad and serve.

Fresh Vinaigrette Dressing

• 2-3 minced garlic cloves
• 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite fresh minced herbs
• 1-2 tablespoons of any variety of Red Lake wild berry syrup
• 2 tablespoons rice wine, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar – white vinegar is too strong for this dressing.
• Salt and pepper to taste

Like the wild rice and hominy corn salad, this is a really easy recipe.  The hardest thing is mincing the garlic and herbs.  Try to get the garlic as small as possible.  It can help to lightly smash it into the olive oil before mixing in the rest of the ingredients.  This recipe can also be used with any type of fresh salad.

Blueberry and Peach Salsa

Blueberries have and continue to be a major food source for Great Lakes Region Indian communities in the summer; peaches don’t have the history or tradition but grow especially well in the Tribal regions on the eastern side of Lake Michigan.  This recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the bounties of mid to late-summer.

• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup diced peaches
• 1-2 cups diced tomatoes
• 2 minced green onions
• 1 lime
• Salt and peper to taste
• 1-2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
• 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (optional)

Another simple recipe.  Simply mix the ingredients and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

Wild Rice Hamburgers

Want to lighten up those burgers while helping to keep them moist and delicious?  If so, definitely give this recipe a shot.  Some restaurants use a very similar version to help meat like ground duck stick together while cooking.  The wild rice’s flavor and texture adds a subtle yet unique character.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped or dried thyme, oregano, and/or rosemary (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Thoroughly mix the wild rice, ground beef, and optional ingredients, if desired, in a large bowl until the texture is consistent.   Form into patties and grill or cook and then serve like a standard hamburger.