It's an end-of-summer picnic, and you're invited! Please bring a tasty dish or drink inspired by your astrological sign. Intrepid fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are in charge of BBQ fare, while light-hearted air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius will take care of salads. Sensual earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are assigned to hearty side dishes like beans and corn, while sweet water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces will ply us with desserts and drinks. Then, by the time everyone arrives, we'll have a sumptuous feast! For further suggestions on what to bring, check your sign:
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
Get creative with kabobs, Aries. The warrior in you is apt to really enjoy the skewering process! Marinate chunks of salmon, mahi-mahi and shrimp ahead of time, then alternate with fresh bell peppers, onions and cherry tomatoes. Or, use marinated chunks of lamb, beef or chicken. For vegetarians, substitute firm tofu, tempeh or sliced Portobello mushrooms. In all cases, don't overcook -- kebabs must be juicy and tender!
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
Think Southern, Taurus. We're putting you in charge of stick-to-your ribs baked beans and corn bread with real butter. Find a down-home recipe that combines onion, bacon, garlic and pork fat with lima and kidney beans, and simmer in a snappy molasses-Worcestershire-mustard sauce. Make the cornbread from scratch rather than using a prepared mix, and bake it in a skillet. Before eating, briefly toss the cornbread on the grill for a smoky flavor.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
Throw together a crowd-pleasing Farmstand Corn Salad. Use fresh, lightly-cooked corn kernels and asparagus pieces, chopped basil and cherry tomatoes tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Or, delight us with a classic Greek salad made with Romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, slices of purple onion, cucumbers, tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, tossed with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar dressing.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
You'll make us swoon, Cancer, with Grandma's peach, apple or cherry pie made with sweet, summer-ripe fruit. Dust off your pie crust-making skills and roll out a pastry shell -- don't forget to include extra strips for a lattice top. We'll forgive you for using a prepared crust if you top your pie with a warm, crunchy pecan-brown sugar-butter mixture -- and don't forget the whipped cream! Fresh lemonade made with sweet Meyer lemons will also delight us.
Leo (July 23 to Aug. 22)
You're the master of the grill, with your delectable barbecued chicken, ribs or burgers. Marinate the chicken ahead of time in a lemon-mustard-basil sauce, or the ribs in a catsup-chili-molasses-mustard-lemon concoction, and grill indirectly for maximum juiciness. Make classic burgers, or get fancy with bacon cheeseburgers using pancetta and white cheddar cheese, with plenty of grilled onions and tomatoes on a bun toasted with herbed butter.
Virgo (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
We always look to you for the healthiest contribution to any feast, Virgo. Start with tortilla chips and homemade guacamole dip using ripe avocados, finely chopped onions, chiles and cilantro, seasoned liberally with garlic salt, pepper and lemon. Or, team raw veggies like celery, carrots and bell peppers with a yogurt-dill or onion dip. Cucumbers marinated in seasoned vinegar and olive oil would also please the crowd.
Summer Food for Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces >>
