Midwest Living July/August 2020 Recipes

Traverse City, Michigan, food
Photo: Carson Downing

Our July/August issue brings you recipes from chefs in Traverse City, Michigan, plus ideas for shrimp and cool summer frozen drinks.

01 of 19

Cherry Brownies a la Mode

Cherry Brownies a la Mode
Carson Downing

Traverse City's famous tart cherries get double billing in this sundae--baked in the brownies and spooned on top. But there's another local fruit hiding here. Chef Adam Raupp of Mission Table restaurant adds a little Riesling to the sauce.

02 of 19

Smoky Peach-Bourbon Slushie

Smoky Peach-Bourbon Slushie
Brie Passano

Coat the rim of a chilled glass with smoked sea salt and garnish this slushie with fresh basil and peach chunks on a decorative pick.

03 of 19

Pickled Shrimp Po' Boys

Pickled Shrimp Po' Boys
Jay Wilde

This recipe knocked our swim fins off. The shrimp soak in a lemony marinade with onion and peppers— a light and tangy twist on the classic fried seafood sandwich.

04 of 19

Paloma Slushie

Paloma Slushie
Brie Passano

Garnish this twist on a classic tequila cocktail with some fringe: Peel a wide strip of grapefruit peel with a vegetable peeler, then snip along its length. Groovy!

05 of 19

Stone Fruit with Burrata and Sweet Corn

Stone Fruit with Burrata and Sweet Corn
Carson Downing

Chefs Eric Patterson and Jen Blakeslee of The Cook's House in Traverse City, Michigan, are pros at harmonizing flavors, textures and aromas. With creamy cheese, savory corn puree, fruit, herbs and olive oil, this is a mic drop of an appetizer that's much easier than it looks.

06 of 19

Chipotle Shrimp Scampi

Chipotle Shrimp Scampi
Jay Wilde

This south-of-the-border variation on a classic Italian-American dish has a little smoky heat. It's a quick weeknight dinner, served over hot rice.

07 of 19

Seared Lake Trout with Summer Relish

Seared Lake Trout with Summer Relish
Carson Downing

Chef Adam Raupp of the Mission Table restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan, serves caught-that-morning lake trout with tangy corn relish and garlicky spinach vinaigrette. You can substitute rainbow trout, ocean trout, Arctic char, bluefish or striped bass in this recipe.

08 of 19

Chocolate Milkshake

Chocolate Milkshake
Brie Passano

Using the best chocolate and ice cream you can find ensures a super rich shake. You won't want more than a small glass!

09 of 19

Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream

Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream
Carson Downing

To "bring the smell of the field" into this dessert, chef James Bloomfield of Alliance restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan, infuses whipping cream with fresh elderflowers. Get the same effect with a splash of St-Germain.

10 of 19

Vietnamese Shrimp and Noodle Bowls

Vietnamese Shrimp and Noodle Bowls
Jay Wilde

These bowls check all the boxes with layers of flavors, textures and temperatures. Grab your chopsticks and dig in!

11 of 19

Rhu-Berry Gin Punch Slushie

Rhu-Berry Gin Punch Slushie
Brie Passano

Gin can be dry, piney, aromatic or any other style a distiller chooses. Go for a floral-tasting gin for this fruity slushie.

12 of 19

Lobster Boil

Lobster Boil
Jeremy Charles

Chef Kevin Nashan of Peacemaker Lobster and Crab in St. Louis scaled this recipe for one (very hungry) person. Multiply quantities by the number of people eating, but you might want to dial down on some of the trimmin's or allow a half lobster per person to keep costs in check. (Not into lobster? We've also included tips for turning this into a shrimp boil!)

13 of 19

Spiked Blue Lemonade Slushie

Spiked Blue Lemonade Slushie
Brie Passano

You might associate it with college-era bar-hopping, but blue curaçao is actually more than 100 years old. Its orange flavor plays nicely with lemonade in this citrusy slushie.

14 of 19

Blistered Green Beans with Fried Onions and Basil-Mushroom Cream

Blistered Green Beans with Fried Onions and Basil-Mushroom Cream
Carson Downing

At Trattoria Stella in Traverse City, Michigan, a farmer's bumper crop of beans inspired chef Myles Anton's twist on the classic Thanksgiving casserole.

15 of 19

Malty Chip Milkshake

Malty Chip Milkshake
Brie Passano

Drink this thick, ultra-rich shake through an oversized straw or employ a spoon to eat it like ice cream.

16 of 19

Coconut Shrimp and Watermelon Salad

Coconut Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Jay Wilde

This fresh and flavorful salad is a perfect dinner for a hot night, especially with a glass of crisp white wine. Be sure to use unsweetened coconut for the best flavor.

17 of 19

Red Sangria Slushie

Red Sangria Slushie
Brie Passano

Make this slushie with a big, bold red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. It will have better color and a more well-rounded flavor than with a lighter red.

18 of 19

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits
Jeremy Charles

St. Louis chef Kevin Nashan of Peacemaker Lobster and Crab restaurant serves these slightly sweet biscuits with his seafood boils; but even if you never throw a lobster or shrimp boil party, file this great recipe away.

19 of 19

Piña Colada Slushie

Piña Colada Slushie
Brie Passano

If you like piña coladas, you'll know that rimming the glass with chili seasoning is a rebel's move. Feel free to revert to a classic maraschino cherry garnish.

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