Seaside summer supper

STARRING SEAFOOD Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a flavorful summertime favorite. For a refreshing dish, try it served with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa. (Photo: The Junior League of Houston)

Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.

Galveston during my childhood. I can practically smell the salt in the air and feel the sand between my toes, remembering hours of shell-hunting, castle-building and card games with my grandmother.

I also remember how hungry and tired we were after spending all day in the sun and salt water. I’m not sure what my parents’ strategy was in those days, but if I were planning dinners today, I would start my evening with a nice frozen drink. Frosé is the perfect summer cocktail, and Peace Meals has a great recipe, Rosé Wine Freezes. Although some drink recipes are intimidating, this one is refreshing and easy to modify if you prefer more of one flavor.

A light supper of salad and shrimp is delicious, simple and crowd-pleasing. The Nine Day Slaw in The Star of Texas Cookbook makes enough for a crowd and stays good in the refrigerator (and even gets better) for several days. It has a tart and sweet flavor, so you may want to adjust the vinegar and sugar amounts to suit your tastes. It serves as a versatile side dish to many meals, so plan for barbecue a few days later to continue enjoying this slaw.

The Tomato and Asparagus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is a tasty way to incorporate some vegetables; summer tomatoes are the best! Its light flavor is the perfect complement to a shrimp dish. Shrimp are a staple for meals at the beach, and the Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a flavorful favorite. I love all of the spices used in the recipe, but that can be daunting to pack for a week at the beach. The grocery store bulk spice aisle is a lifesaver! The shrimp dish can be served with the Avocado Tomatillo Salsa or even plain white rice. The salsa doubles as a delicious starter when served with chips.

Don’t you remember the homemade ice cream you loved as a kid? Even though I know it wasn’t simple for my parents to make, it was always a crowd-favorite. The Lemon Milk Sherbet is a simplified recipe (no churning) and a refreshing treat to cap off a meal. Use milk in place of cream to make this dessert a little lighter.